Medis Technologies Ltd. (MDTL) announced that it has shipped 200 fuel cell Power Pack products to General Dynamics C4 Systems for testing in preparation for delivery of commercial units to its customer base. The aim of this program is to determine the products' response to a broad range of very rigorous tests relating to its ability to meet other military and civilian specifications. Medis plans to deliver an additional 100 Power Packs to its contract manufacturer Celestica in the next few weeks for a parallel testing program. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced that they have been awarded a contract for over EUR 500,000 to deliver a hydrogen station to Gas Natural SDG, a Spanish-based energy services multinational with approximately ten million customers in Spain, Latin America, Italy and France (www.gasnatural.com).

Gas Natural will use a Hydrogenics' HySTAT(TM)-A Hydrogen Station at the Sotavento Galicia wind farm to produce up to 60 Nm3/hr of hydrogen. The hydrogen will be used to fuel an internal combustion engine generator, which in turn will supply electricity to the electric grid. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SatCon Technology Corporation (SATC) announced that it has been awarded a Phase I SBIR contract with the U. S. Army to develop an Integrated Starter/Generator (ISG) for hybrid powertrain military vehicles.

SatCon's Applied Technology division is currently developing DC/DC converters (pulse power and battery chargers), starter generators, auxiliary power units, and main generators for hybrid electric vehicles for U. S. Army advanced technology vehicles. This award expands SatCon's portfolio of vehicle power technologies with the development of an integrated starter/generator based on advanced permanent magnet machinery design concepts. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Active Power Inc (ACPW) announced an order from Caterpillar Inc. for eleven one-megawatt flywheel UPS systems. The majority of these systems will be shipped during the current quarter and will be used to provide power protection for a large datacenter in the United States. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Worldwater Corp (WWAT) announced that it has signed a $109,824 contract to build and install a solar electric power generation system for Quest Environmental & Engineering Services, headquartered in Clinton, New Jersey. The photovoltaic (PV) system will provide electricity for the company, and is expected to substantially reduce electrical usage costs for the facility. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FPL Group Inc (FPL) reported 2005 fourth quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $206 million, or $0.53 per share, compared with $173 million, or $0.47 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. FPL Group's net income for the fourth quarter 2005 included a net unrealized after-tax gain of $27 million associated with the mark-to-market effect of non-qualifying hedges. The results of last year's fourth quarter included a net unrealized after-tax loss of $2 million associated with the mark-to-market effect of non-qualifying hedges.

Excluding the mark-to-market effect of non-qualifying hedges, FPL Group's earnings would have been $179 million, or $0.46 per share for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared with $175 million, or $0.47 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. [ more ]

FPL fourth-quarter profit rose on gains related to hedges, though earnings were reduced by damages from Hurricane Wilma. Excluding the hedging gains they earned 46 cents a share. The average forecast of analysts was 40 cents. The stock should open up strongly this morning.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Energy Stock Blog points to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency list of the current top 25 purchasers of renewable energy, and their suppliers. From the release:

Top 25 Partners are Partners whose annual green power purchase is the largest, and whose green power purchase has been completed. Their actions are helping drive the development of new renewable energy sources for electricity generation. Combined, their purchases amount to 3.3 million megawatt-hours (MWh) annually, which is approximately 75 percent of the green power commitments made by all Partners. These Top 25 Partners provide an example to their peers, customers, and community.

Here are the top 5

1. U.S. Air Force
2. Whole Foods Market
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
4. Johnson & Johnson
5. U.S. Department of Energy

You can view the complete list at the Energy Stock Blog website. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SunPower Corp. (SPWR) announced that revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, was $29.3 million, up 34% from the prior quarter's revenue of $21.9 million and up 523% from the year-ago fourth quarter combined(1) revenue of $4.7 million. The Company's fiscal 2005 revenue was $78.7 million. [ more ]

These 4th quarter earnings have narrowed the companies losses and they expect significant quarter-on-quarter top line revenue increases to between $38 - $40 million. The stock gapped up 8% this morning on the news and is starting to give back most of these gains. It is currently trading with a gain of 3.8%.

Update: Shares of SunPower closed the day with a nice 17% gain. Ya gotta love that.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Maxwell Technologies (MXWL) announced that General Hydrogen Corporation, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cell-based power systems for electric forklifts, has placed a 200,000 unit, three-year, purchase order for BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in its Hydricity® Pack technology.

The purchase order is part of a strategic supply agreement through which General Hydrogen will source ultracapacitors exclusively from Maxwell and receive strategic pricing if volume thresholds specified in the purchase order are reached. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc (QTWW) announced the delivery of five hydrogen-fueled Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to the City of Santa Ana, California. This is part of a larger South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) program to develop and demonstrate 30 hydrogen hybrid vehicles to fleets in Southern California. The formal delivery took place during a ceremony held today at the City of Santa Ana's vehicle fleet yard.

In March 2004, the AQMD awarded Quantum a contract to engineer a state-of-the-art OEM caliber hydrogen fuel system, perform accelerated long-term durability testing, including crash testing. The complete hydrogen internal combustion engine fuel system, including both the injection system and hydrogen storage system, was developed by Quantum at its Advanced Vehicle Concept Center in Lake Forest, CA. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penn State researchers are finding new ways to harness the power of the sun using highly-ordered arrays of titania nanotubes for hydrogen production and increased solar cell efficiency. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ormat Technologies (ORA) has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Puget Sound Energy Inc. for the supply of power from a Recovered Energy Generation System (REGS), which will be located adjacent to the Sumas Compressor Station of Northwest Pipeline Inc. (NWP) in Sumas, Washington State.

The REGS will be owned by Orsumas and will use recovered waste heat from three NWP existing gas turbines driving compressors at the station, as well as interconnect to Puget Sound Energy's transmission grid. The facility will employ an ORMAT ® Energy Converter (OEC) and will have a design capacity of 4.95 MW net. [ more ]

This deal is expected to generate annual revenues of approx $2.3 mln with a 1% annual escalation.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp. (DYMTF) announced that it has granted a master license to Rika Ltd., a company that has extensive operations in Latvia and Ukraine. Under the Agreement, Rika has agreed to market DynaMotive's technology as well as develop and operate facilities in the territories. Two projects are initially targeted for development.

Rika Ltd. and DynaMotive have further agreed to scope the feasibility of bio energy crops in Ukraine, where Rika has leased 25,000 hectares of farm land. The companies are considering the allocation of 10,000 hectares for growth of biomass for BioOil production. Once in production, it is estimated that each hectare will yield up to 30 tonnes of dry biomass per annum. This will potentially provide for a total production capacity of 300,000 tonnes annually of biomass, equivalent to 800 tonnes per day of processing capacity. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fuelcell Energy Inc (FCEL) announced that its Asian distributor, Marubeni Corporation, has sold a one megawatt (MW) Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plant to provide electric power and high-quality heat for a Sharp Corp. production facility in Japan that manufactures advanced flat-screen TVs.

The DFC power plant will provide Sharp's Kameyama manufacturing facility with a portion of its base load electricity needs and supply heat byproduct for air conditioning by means of absorption chilling. [ more ]

This sale represents the first international installation of Fuel Cells megawatt sized products and the partnership with Marubeni has become a critical asset to their continued growth in Asia.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced that Capstone-branded products have been approved by the General Services Administration (GSA) and are now on the GSA Schedule.

"As a result of our continuing efforts to place Capstone MicroTurbine® products into large market potentials, we have now created an avenue for the sale of Capstone-branded microturbine products to the U.S. government," said Capstone CEO John R. Tucker. "We are very pleased to receive this GSA approval and recognize the importance of being qualified as a GSA Schedule supplier. We have proactively taken this step, and created this opportunity, to provide Capstone products to one of the largest potential distributed generation buyers worldwide." [ more ]

Shares of Capstone rose 11% yesterday on this news and the stock is up another 1% in pre-market trading this morning.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tyler at Clean Break was able to listen in on the Elk Corp (ELK) earnings conference call this morning. Elk has had a multiple year partnership with ATS Automation (ATA.TO) solar division Spheral Solar. The two companies have been planning a commercial release of solar-integrated roofing and building material products.

Elk Roofing chairman and CEO Tom Karol, responding to questions from MacMurray Whale from Sprott Securities, said the Spheral Solar roofing product is still in alpha testing but the company hopes to move into beta testing -- i.e. put it on real rooftops in the marketplace -- in about 60 days. After the results of the beta are analysed, and assuming all goes well, the product will be fully commercialized in the first quarter of 2007.

Read more at Tyler's site. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced that the company has supplied an onsite electrolysis-based HySTAT-A Hydrogen Plant to OAO NSCHK, a state-owned utility in Novorsibirsk, Russia. The high-purity hydrogen produced by the 240Nm3/hr hydrogen generator will be used in the chemical processes used in this nuclear power plant. Installation and commissioning is scheduled for Spring, 2006. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hoku Scientific, Inc. (HOKU) posted earnings of $202,000, or a penny per share, reversing a year-ago loss of $650,000, or 11 cents per share. Service and license revenue surged to $1.7 million from $75,000 in the 2004 quarter, fueled by contracts with auto manufacturer Nissan Motor Co., Sanyo Electric Co. and the U.S. Navy. [ more ]

Hoku is one of the few Alternerative Energy stocks that is actually profitable. Excluding certain items, earnings were 3 cents a share, above First Call's mean analyst estimate of 1 cent. They blew away estimates this quarter and the stock is trading up over 15% in pre-market trading this morning.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Raser Technologies (RZ) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Amp Resources ("Amp"), a private company with technologies focused on geothermal heat and power generation. The deal is for about $260 million in cash and stock.

Raser will acquire Amp and its portfolio of technologies for heat transfer and renewable power generation. Raser will also assume ownership of multiple, long-term geothermal energy sales contracts with public and private utilities. These contracts call for an aggregate of $966 million from gross energy sales over 20 years. It is anticipated that these power generation projects will be developed and placed in service by December 2007. [ more ]

Raser is an early stage development company that specializes in electric motors and is a founding member of the Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium. The shares of Raser have been up over 100% in the last month. Today the stock is currently trading down over 20% on the news. This could be interpreted as profit taking. Also, typically the shares of the acquiring company heads down on the day of the announcement due to fears of increased liabilities. Raser will assume liabilities and about $50 million in debt once the deal closes.

Green Car Congress has additional details about the technology. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Altair Nanomaterials (ALTI) announced that its battery research and development team successfully completed a testing program for lithium ion battery cells containing Altairnano's nano-structured lithium titanate electrode materials.

"The test results demonstrated that the performance of these lithium ion battery cells exceed the system-level power requirements set forth by the U.S. Council for Automotive Research FreedomCAR Energy Storage System Performance Goals for hybrid electric vehicle (HEVs), as well as those requirements published by major U.S. automakers," said Evan House, Ph.D., Program Director, Altairnano's Advanced Materials & Power Systems business unit. [ more ]

These batteries demonstrate a useable state-of-charge range twice that of conventional nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries presently used in hybrid electric vehicles. The stock was up over 40% yesterday on this news. The stock is giving back some of these gains today on the general market weakness.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Universal Communication Systems Inc (UCSY) announced that the company is set to make a major new investment and plans to open a new office in Los Angeles, California from which to market PV Solar Panels and PV Solar Energy Systems throughout the state. This follows the recent announcement by the State of California that it was to enact a Major Incentive Program which is the largest solar energy policy ever enacted in the United States: an 11-year, $3.2 billion incentive program aimed at spurring installation of PV Solar Panels / Systems. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Environmental Power Corp (EPG) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Microgy, Inc. has entered into agreement with Applied LNG Technologies USA, Inc. , for the development of biogas-supplied LNG projects in California. The Agreement provides that Microgy and ALT (http://www.altlngusa.com) will cooperate to identify, evaluate and develop projects, principally in California, that combine Microgy's anaerobic digestion technology, which extracts methane-rich biogas from animal waste, and ALT's LNG transport and distribution technology. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SatCon Technology Corporation (SATC) announced that it has successfully launched its 500kW PowerGate(TM) inverter. The release of the PowerGate(TM) 500kW inverter was one of SatCon's major R&D milestones for 2006, and positions SatCon as the leading provider of high efficiency inverters for the rapidly growing solar markets.

The 500kW AE-500-60-PV-A utility-grade PV inverter was successfully listed to the UL 1741 Standard and also received approval from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The acceptance of this inverter by the various agencies not only gives SatCon the largest commercial PV inverter in North America, it also gives SatCon the broadest product line in the commercial photovoltaic inverter market - ranging from 30kW to 500kW - with 13 designs now approved and listed by the CEC. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thermoenergy Corp. (TMEN.OB) announced the start of a $310,000 federally funded project to develop compact zero air emission power plants for medium to heavy industry. Commonly referred to as Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants, these systems would allow main-stream industries to switch from natural gas to lower priced alternative fuels to supply their energy needs. Switching fuel sources could allow many companies to save hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs, reduce air pollution, keep their US based plants operating, and lessen dependence on imported energy resources. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Worldwater Corp (WWAT) announced the completion and commissioning of a nearly 400 kilowatt photovoltaic system project by Quantum Energy Group, the construction and engineering subsidiary it acquired in 2005. The new photovoltaic (PV) system provides solar power to offset electric utility consumption at a complex of four tenant-occupied buildings in Menlo Park, California, south of San Francisco. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 07:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shares of solar-energy technology companies rose sharply Thursday, with several chalking up 52-week highs, as California regulators approved a solar-energy package. The plan is the largest solar energy policy ever enacted in the United States: an 11-year, $3.2 billion incentive program aimed at spurring installation of solar panels. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced that the company was awarded a contract by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, to supply an electrolyzer-based hydrogen refuelling station for installation in Minot, N.D. In addition to the core electrolyzer module, Hydrogenics is supplying compression, storage and dispenser equipment as part of the contract. The station is one of the first United States-based hydrogen fueling stations to use electricity from a wind power resource to produce hydrogen from water, in this case using electricity generated by wind resources either owned or contracted by Basin Electric. The hydrogen produced will be used to refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles, demonstrating a linkage between wind power and vehicle refueling. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 07:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Plug Power Inc (PLUG) and Ballard Power (BLDP) announced they have been awarded a $2M program by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an advanced prototype PEM fuel cell system to support Defense Continuity of Operations (COOP).

Under this program, Plug Power and Ballard will jointly develop a next-generation prototype PEM fuel cell power solution to be used in backup power applications. Plug Power will act as the systems integrator, using a Ballard® fuel cell stack for evaluation and potential use in COOP programs for the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. [ more ]

PLUG opened up over 3% this morning and BLDP is up over 2% on the news.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (MKTY) announced that in December it signed a Market Development Agreement with SES AMERICOM Inc. As part of the agreement, MTI Micro will work with SES AMERICOM to determine and evaluate the use and integration of MTI Micro's Mobion® technology into AMERICOM products that may benefit from alternative energy sources such as fuel cells. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Millennium Cell Inc (MCEL) announced that its soldier power program has been allocated $1.7 million of funding in the fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill. The soldier power program is a joint effort with Protonex Technology Corporation which is funded by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The defense bill funding will support the procurement of Protonex 30-watt portable soldier power systems ("P2") for use in reliability and field testing to be conducted by the U.S. military throughout 2006. The Protonex P2 power system utilizes chemical hydride fuel cartridges with Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand® technology which are integrated with Protonex' advanced fuel cell technology. [ more ]

MCEL opened up this morning with a nice 8% gain on this news.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

XSUNX Inc. (XSNX) announced that it has begun the construction of a mass production system for the manufacture of the Company's proprietary thin film solar cell designs.

As the manufacture of this first system and its thin films development evolves, the Company anticipates that it may begin marketing efforts of this system as early as this coming spring. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Active Power Inc (ACPW) announced that the largest airport in Mexico, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico (AICM), has selected its battery-free CleanSource® UPS to protect runway and taxiway lighting. Additionally, a new terminal that will begin construction this year will also be supported by Active Power's battery-free systems. Deliveries against this order started in Q4 of 2005 and will continue through the first half of 2006. [ more ]

Active Power is following a good business model of selling into a niche that it already has a good presence in (FuelCell Energy has a similar practice with Hotels.) They currently have several airport installations in Spain and this marks the second airport installation in Mexico.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cree, Inc. (CREE) announced that major lighting designer and manufacturer Space Cannon VH S.p.A. has signed an agreement to purchase approximately $5.4 million of XLamp® power LEDs, among the industry's brightest and most efficient high power light emitting diodes (LEDs). Space Cannon plans to use Cree power LEDs exclusively for all future solid state lighting installations, including high profile projects, such as the Turin Olympics. [ more ]

I really like the LED and energy efficiency space and think these types of projects will become more common. The key is to get into these companies at the right price level. CREE has been running into some upside resistance at the $28 level and there is also some firm resistance at the $30 level. I would not be a buyer of this stock until it either had a solid close above $30 or started to see the price trading closer to support at the $22 range.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cobasys announced today that they will provide their advanced NiMHax® Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery systems for GM's 2007 Saturn VUE Green Line SUV which will be made available to consumers in the summer of 2006. [ more ]

Cobasys is a joint venture partnership between Energy Conversion Devices Inc (ENER) and Chevron Technology Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (CVX)

ENER gapped up this morning on this news and has been trading nicely for the last couple of months. However, it has run into upside resistance at the 52 week high. The stock is currently over-bought and I would be a buyer of this stock below $40.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evergreen Solar Inc (ESLR) introduced the new EC-120 is the latest in Evergreen Solar's Cedar Line(TM) of photovoltaic panels. With the same physical dimensions as the Company's current 110-watt and 115-watt panels, the new product delivers increased power from the same area. Through its patented String Ribbon technology, Evergreen Solar produces its panels using significantly less silicon than conventional production methods. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc (QTWW) announced that its Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV) and Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure (MHI) programs are allocated to receive a total of $6.95 million in funding under the fiscal year 2006 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Defense, signed into law by President Bush on December 30, 2005. These programs follow on Quantum's successes with the U.S. Army, wherein Quantum developed and demonstrated the "Aggressor AMV," a high performance light-duty off-road fuel cell hybrid vehicle, and the recently completed "HyHauler MHI," a transportable hydrogen refueling station designed for rapid refueling of military vehicles and silent watch power generators. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

IdaTech (IDA) announced the ElectraGen(TM)3 fuel cell system. The ElectraGen(TM)3 is a hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell solution capable of producing up to three kilowatts of clean, reliable backup power. This announcement marks a significant addition to the IdaTech backup power fuel cell product offering and highlights IdaTech's position in the industry as the only company offering this wide range of backup power solutions.

Like its bigger brother, the ElectraGen(TM)5, the ElectraGen(TM)3 product is a CE certified fuel cell system designed for critical backup power needs ranging from 1.5 to 3 kilowatts. By offering improved system reliability and more predictable performance in a broad range of climates the ElectraGen(TM)3 system is a cost-effective replacement to valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries and other traditional electricity generating methods. Developed specifically to address the needs of telecommunications and uninterruptible power systems (UPS) backup power needs, units in the ElectraGen(TM) family are designed to provide 10 years of service. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)