Burlington Hydro Inc. announced it has taken delivery of the first all-electric vehicle to be used in a commercial fleet application in Canada. The vehicle will be used in a demonstration project, also the first of its kind, that will study the operating characteristics of an all-electric fleet in practical, real-world working conditions.

The demonstration project will be led by Burlington Hydro in a partnership with the University of Waterloo and Transport Canada.

"Congratulations to Burlington Hydro and its partners for their leadership in the development and advancement of smart grid technology in Ontario," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. "Ontario is moving towards a smart grid system, which will support the expanded use of electric vehicles. This in turn will help us reach our target of one in 20 vehicles on the province's roads being electric by the year 2020."

"The province of Ontario is leading the world in the development of the emerging Smart Grid, and Burlington Hydro is committed to be the leading distribution utility in Smart Grid development within Ontario," said Gerry Smallegange, President of Burlington Hydro. "Burlington Hydro ultimately aspires to be in a position to offer its customers more solutions and options to manage their electricity use and electricity costs than any local distribution company in Ontario. The electric fleet vehicle demonstration project is part of this leadership commitment."

The use of electric vehicles will ultimately rely on electricity grid infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of vehicle users in a practical, efficient and cost competitive way.

"Local Distribution Companies, such as Burlington Hydro, have an important role to play in the development of the potential for electric vehicles, in the development and provisions of recharging infrastructure, which is the critical "backbone" for the proliferation of electric vehicle technology," said Smallegange.

"Ontario's electricity system is rapidly reducing its carbon footprint, increasing the benefit of switching many more cars and trucks from gasoline to electricity," said Paul Murphy, IESO CEO and President and Chair of the Ontario Smart Grid Forum. "We need to find ways to integrate electric transportation so that it supports the overall reliability of the system and takes advantage of the availability of renewable generation. This project is an important step in understanding how to do this."

The demonstration project will entail a one-year study that will be conducted by the University of Waterloo with funding from Transport Canada. It is designed to increase understanding of the operating characteristics of an all-electric fleet vehicle in practical, working applications, including its recharging patterns and requirements, how to optimize the usage and recharging cycle in a "real life" setting; overall performance, drive-cycle, battery state-of-health and electricity grid impacts.

The motor and drive system technology of the vehicle was developed specifically for fleet applications by REV, or Rapid Electric Vehicle Technologies Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia. REV is a market-leading international private company that offers the REV PACK, used to convert light-duty Ford trucks into advanced battery powered highway-capable electric vehicles. REV will also provide on-board smart-grid and wireless telemetry capabilities, integrated data management and charging infrastructure.

The University of Waterloo will also develop assessment and management tools to assist with the integration of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV's) into the electricity grid. The study will be supervised by Roydon Fraser, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Michael Fowler, Associate professor of Chemical Engineering, over the period commencing February 2010 and ending February 2011. The findings of this study will be useful to designers and prospective operators of electrified fleet vehicles.

Burlington Hydro believes "hub and spoke" fleets, like the one operated by Burlington Hydro potentially represent the best opportunity for initial widespread vehicle electrification. Hub and spoke fleets typically operate from a central point and deploy vehicles within a fixed region, or geographic boundaries, with predictable usage patterns. They are therefore ideal in respect to the opportunity to centralize re-charging infrastructure. The electric vehicle will join Burlington's hub and spoke fleet for the duration of the demonstration project.

"There are thousands of fleets of this kind in southern Ontario alone. Fleets like these represent a significant proportion of vehicles on our roads, most of which are in daily, constant use. They include couriers, mail and other delivery vehicles, municipal vehicles and many other kinds of fleets.

Therefore, using electric vehicles in these fleets could deliver major, immediate environmental benefits. This demonstration project is an important first step in unlocking that potential," said Smallegange. Transportation accounted for more than half the growth in Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2005, contributing 17 Megatonnes, out of 26 Megatonnes of total GHG emissions growth. It is also a significant contributor to smog in southern Ontario.

Burlington Hydro has attracted a number of industry, government and university partners to this first-of-its-kind demonstration project. Pioneer Petroleums, Ontario's largest independent petroleum marketer will install and operate a recharging station at its Burlington location at 4499 Mainway.

The charging station was developed by Eaton Corporation, which is also providing electrical infrastructure and systems support. Elster Canada, a leader in Smart Metering, will assist by facilitating key learnings through its EnergyAxis technology. Other partners include: Union Gas, S&C Electric, Olameter, Stresscrete Group, Moloney Electric, Wesco Distribution Canada, Cisco, The Province of Ontario, the City of Burlington, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), the University of Waterloo and the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University.

Plutonic Power Corporation announced today the reappointment of Bruce Ripley to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer effective immediately. Reporting to Donald McInnes Vice Chair and CEO,  Ripley will be responsible for all day to day operations of Plutonic and will oversee the transition of Plutonic from a development company to one with operations and revenue.

In August of 2009, Ripley stepped down from Plutonic to focus exclusively on the delivery of the $660 million Toba Montrose hydroelectric project which is now over 90% complete. Plutonic is confident that significant risks to construction completion, commissioning and operations are well planned for and mitigated and that Bruce can now retake his leadership role in Plutonic. The Toba Montrose Project is a partnership between Plutonic and a subsidiary of General Electric. Through a second partnership with GE, Plutonic is also expecting to complete construction and commence commissioning at the Dokie Wind Project during 2010.

"Bruce has done an excellent job focusing his attention on and delivering the Toba Montrose Project over the last eight months," stated Donald McInnes Vice Chair and CEO of Plutonic. "I am pleased that Bruce can now reassume his position as President and COO to oversee all aspects of day to day operations in Plutonic and our principal two partnerships with GE subsidiaries."

Paul Sweeney who has been President of Plutonic since last August, will reassume his role as an executive officer of the company and play a significant supporting role to both the CEO and the COO.

British Columbia based Plutonic Power is a Canadian clean energy developer. It is a partner in 340 megawatts of hydro and wind projects that are under construction. In 2010 commercial operations will start at the $660 million, 196 megawatt East Toba River and Montrose Creek run-of-river hydroelectric project. Active construction is also underway on the $227.5 million, 144 megawatt Dokie Wind Project.

For more information visit www.plutonic.ca.

Canada ranked eighth among G-20 members in 2009 global clean energy investments and finance, according to data released recently by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Last year, Canada invested USD $3.3 billion in the clean energy sector.

"The clean energy economy represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century and Canada is among the leaders," said Phyllis Cuttino, who directs the Pew Environment Group's Global Warming Campaign. "Its $3.3 billion investment in 2009 represented an 80 percent annual increase - a clear sign that Canada is dedicated to seizing the opportunity the clean energy market presents."

In Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? Growth, Competition and Opportunity in the World's Largest Economies, Pew examines key financial, investment and technological trends related to G-20 members and the clean energy economy. The report tracks and measures global investment activity - ranging from venture capital, initial public offerings from companies seeking to expand, mergers and acquisitions and lending for large-scale projects - in this sector. Pew found that the global clean energy economy has experienced remarkable growth:

• Globally, clean energy investments have increased 230 per cent since 2005.
• Despite a worldwide recession, global clean energy investments reached $162 billion in 2009.
• G-20 members accounted for more than 90 percent of worldwide clean energy finance and investment.
• Investment by nearly all G-20 members grew by more than 50 per cent over the past five years.
• More than 250 gigawatts of renewable energy generating capacity have been installed around the world, producing six percent of global energy.
• Global clean energy investments are projected to reach $200 billion in 2010.

"The facts speak for themselves," said Bloomberg New Energy Finance Chief Executive Michael Liebreich. "2009 clean energy investment in China totaled $34.6 billion, while in the US it totaled $18.6 billion. China is now clearly the world leader in attracting new capital and making new investments in this area."

In 2009, Canada led in certain areas of the clean energy sector. Among G-20 members, Pew found:

• Canada ranked sixth in investment intensity — the percentage of clean energy investment when compared to gross domestic product (GDP).
• Canada ranked eighth in overall clean energy investment.
• Canada ranked ninth - ahead of both the U.S. and China — in the percentage of energy obtained from clean sources.
• Canada ranked ninth in the five-year growth rate of installed clean energy.

"While some policy incentives are provided, Canada would do well to implement national clean energy policies in order to more effectively compete in the global clean energy economy," said Cuttino.

Countries with strong nationwide policy frameworks, including renewable energy standards, carbon markets, priority loans for renewable energy projects and/or mandated clean energy targets, such as China, Brazil, Spain, India, the United Kingdom and Germany, have the most robust clean energy sectors as a percentage of their economies. Countries without such policy frameworks lag behind.

Pew published Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? to highlight how G-20 members are participating and where they rank in the clean energy economy. The data have been compiled and reviewed by Pew's research partner, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the world's leading independent provider of news, data, research and analysis to decision-makers in renewable energy, carbon markets, energy smart technologies, and carbon capture and storage. The report's primary focus is on investment as it is the fuel that propels the innovation, commercialization, manufacturing and installation of clean energy technologies.

The report can be found at www.pewglobalwarming.org/cleanenergyeconomy/index.html.

CIBC announced earlier this month that it has appointed Don Roberts as Vice Chairman, renewable energy and clean technology in its wholesale banking group. Roberts' role will be to integrate the bank's expanding efforts in investment banking, lending and trading to provide capital and advice to companies within these high-growth sectors.

"It is clear that the market for clean and renewable sources of energy is growing in Canada and across North America," says Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC's Wholesale Banking division. "Governments across the continent are drafting and enacting legislation to create new opportunities for green technologies. Many Canadian companies are emerging as leaders in the sector and will need increased access to capital. CIBC has assisted many of these companies in the past and we plan to reach out to all players in the marketplace to determine how we can help them respond to growing opportunities."

While Roberts will focus on companies in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors, he will also explore opportunities in the emerging carbon and water markets, as well as the future of the forest industry.

Roberts has been a leading equity analyst in Canada for the past decade, ranking number one in seven of the past 10 years. He is regarded as a global thought-leader in the fields of bio-energy and forest products, and spent the last year analyzing opportunities for growth in both the clean energy and forestry sectors. Roberts holds an M.B.A. (Hon), in Finance, from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in Forestry Economics from the University of California at Berkeley, and a B.Sc. (Hon) in Resource Economics from the University of British Columbia.

"Having studied this space extensively, I believe the sector provides significant growth opportunities for developers and investors alike," says Roberts, who will coordinate CIBC's corporate lending, debt and equity financing, M&A advisory and trading activities. "Total capital invested in clean energy has increased 60 per cent over the last five years. I expect investment to grow even faster in the coming years with technological and cost breakthroughs coming at a rapid rate."

BURLINGTON, ON — Siemens Energy has been awarded an order for 43 of its 2.3-MW SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines for the Greenwich Wind Energy Project near Thunder Bay, Ontario. In November 2009, Siemens was also contracted to supply 43 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines for the Talbot Wind Energy Project near Chatham, Ontario. The purchaser of the 86 wind turbines with a combined rated capacity of nearly 200 megawatts (MW) is Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Canada Inc., a leading renewable energy company and an affiliate of RES Americas which has developed and/or constructed approximately 10 percent of the wind capacity in the United States. Once completed, the wind farms are expected to provide clean power for more than 60,000 Canadian homes.

The scope for both wind energy plants includes the supply and commissioning of the wind turbines, as well as a five-year service, maintenance and warranty agreement. Additionally, Siemens will install the 43 wind turbines at the Greenwich Wind Energy Project, which is expected to begin in June 2011. Commissioning of the Talbot Wind Energy Project is expected to be completed in December 2010.

"Canada is an important wind power market for Siemens. Five wind turbine orders totaling nearly 600 MW received in Canada over the last six months clearly demonstrate the success we've experienced," stated Bill Smith, Senior Vice President, Siemens Canada Limited. "Including the two Canadian wind farms commissioned in 2008, wind turbines from Siemens have the potential to provide clean power to approximately 240,000 Canadian homes," added Smith. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, Canada's wind energy industry enjoyed a record year with 950 MW of new wind energy capacity installed in eight provinces in 2009 - placing Canada ninth globally in terms of new installed capacity for the year.

Siemens and RES Americas have partnered on a number of projects since Siemens entered the wind power market in December 2004. In the United States, Siemens partnered with RES Americas on the supply of a total of 158 2.3-MW wind turbines, including 46 units for the Sweetwater 4B Wind Energy Project, 26 wind turbines for the Whirlwind Wind Energy Project, 14 units for the Nine Canyon III Wind Energy Project and 72 wind turbines for the Hackberry Wind Energy Project in Texas.

"RES Canada is pleased to continue our successful relationship with Siemens that now totals 1,665 MW of successfully developed projects in Canada and the United States," said Andrew Fowler, Vice President, Construction of RES Canada. "The Greenwich Wind Energy Project will bring the many benefits of renewable energy to the Township of Dorion and surrounding communities that includes up to 300 construction jobs."

Wind power is part of Siemens' Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2009, revenue from the Portfolio totaled approximately EUR23 billion, making Siemens the world's largest supplier of environmentally friendly technologies. In the same period, the company's products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their CO2 emissions by 210 million tons. This amount equals the combined annual CO2 emissions of New York, Tokyo, London and Berlin.

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR25.8 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR30 billion and posted a profit of EUR3.3 billion. On September 30, 2009, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 85,100. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.

Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd and Innovative Air Solutions Inc., a Toronto and Vancouver based green energy solutions provider, announced that they have partnered to supply up to 5 MW of PARALEX solar PV generators featuring Bosch Solar thin film PV modules to the Ontario market in 2010.

The first delivery of 10 systems or a total 200 kw of PARALEX solar generators will begin in June and is expected to ramp quickly as the first sites deliver strong economic results to their owners.

"Sustainable Energy's PARALEX solar generator is ideal for our micro-fit and commercial customers," said Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Innovative Air. "Using the patented SUNERGY inverter, PARALEX minimizes the typical solar system application constraints, while delivering maximum energy yield with an all important, low voltage safety advantage. When combined with a globally trusted solar panel brand like Bosch Solar, the solution exceeds our customers are expectations."

Innovative Air is a Canadian company with a mission to provide innovative micro-generation renewable energy and energy efficient solutions to agricultural, commercial, and institutional buildings.

"The partnership with Innovative Air is an important milestone for Sustainable Energy, marking our first PARALEX sales into the Ontario market. With this agreement we have now established a major distribution channel into the extensive, micro-fit, small solar marketplace under Ontario's Green Energy Act," said Michael Carten, Chairman and Acting CEO of Sustainable Energy. "Innovative Air's management team has an excellent track record, impeccable reputation, and the critical construction resources in Ontario to maximize the opportunity in the green energy space."

Sustainable Energy's new PARALEX product line combines the patented SUNERGY low voltage inverter and the premium, high efficiency Bosch Solar amorphous silicon, thin film PV modules to deliver higher energy yields, reduce installation costs and enable the industry's first inherently safe solar PV system. The inherent safety of the very low system operating voltages enabled by PARALEXTM make it ideal for schools, public buildings, residential buildings and other applications where public safety is a driver.

A video explaining PARALEX and its advantages can be found at www.paralexsolar.com.

www.sustainableenergy.com

BOSTON, MA — With virtually every major automaker planning an electric vehicle launch, and governments worldwide funneling billions of dollars into smart grid technologies, the prospects for energy storage technologies are getting lots of attention. Now the potential has been quantified: The market for batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells targeting transportation and smart grid applications will more than double from $21.4 billion in 2010 to $44.4 billion in 2015, according to a new report from Lux Research.

Although this growth spells opportunity for corporations, investors and utilities, it's not always clear where the hottest opportunities lie. In its report, titled "Emerging Technologies Power a $44 Billion Opportunity for Transportation and Grid," Lux Research analyzes the prospects for several technologies, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells in transportation and storage, distributed generation, and transmission and distribution technologies on the power grid.

"Policy-makers, auto manufacturers and the media have locked their attention on battery technologies for plug-in and electric vehicles," said Jacob E. Grose, an analyst for Lux Research, and the report's lead author. "But in fact e-bikes and scooters will drive the biggest growth for these batteries in the next five years."

In analyzing prospects for each technology, Lux Research combined bottom-up and top down analysis, and conducted interviews with hundreds of companies developing technologies for transportation and the power grid. Among the report's key findings:

Big opportunities in transportation ride on two wheels, not four. Electric vehicle storage technology markets will nearly double from $7.7 billion in 2010 to $14.5 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 13.5%. Surprisingly, markets for electronic bike (e-bike) and scooter batteries will lead the charge, growing from $6.4 billion this year to $10.9 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 11%.

Lead-acid batteries dominate transportation markets, but Li-ion technology is rapidly growing. Lead-acid batteries will drive 93% of China's e-bikes in 2010, and dominate the micro-hybrid automotive market. However, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in e-bikes are growing fast, and have gained further momentum from plug-in and electric vehicles. The upshot: With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% through 2015, Li-ion battery markets are growing almost three times faster than those for lead-acid.

In the power grid segment, the smart plays are in the smart grid. Markets for emerging technologies in the power grid will skyrocket from $13.7 billion in 2010 to $30 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 17%. Here the largest market is the smart-grid, which will grow at an explosive CAGR of 23%, from $5.4 billion this year to $15.8 billion in 2015.

"Emerging Technologies Power a $44 Billion Opportunity for Transportation and Grid," is part of the Lux Alternative Power and Energy Storage Intelligence service. Clients subscribing to this service receive ongoing research on market and technology trends, continuous technology scouting reports and proprietary data points in the weekly Lux Research Power Journal, and on-demand inquiry with Lux Research analysts.

Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.

Solar microinverter system developer Enphase Energy recently announced a new microinverter for the Ontario market. This new product will fulfill the Domestic Content requirement and will therefore enable installers to participate in the Ontario Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) Program.

"We're excited to support Ontario's forward-looking and bold initiative to broaden solar adoption and create highly skilled green jobs," said Enphase Energy CEO Paul Nahi. "Together with Flextronics, our global manufacturing partner, Enphase is proud to support Ontario's clean energy goals."

The Enphase production line will have a capacity of 100 MW (500,000 microinverters) in the first year of operation. The company plans to double this capacity to one million microinverters to support expected demand in 2011.

"As a leader in clean tech manufacturing, we look forward to providing Enphase with our world-class manufacturing and local market expertise, expediting the delivery of microinverters to the growing industry of solar installers and distributors in Ontario," said Flextronics Industrial President E.C. Sykes. "In addition to further strengthening our global Clean Tech initiative, Enphase is a prime example of how Flextronics's strategic global footprint and flexible operations are able to deliver competitive solutions to our customers as they enter emerging markets."

Enphase has already trained more than 250 Ontario-based solar energy installers to use its technology, including approximately 180 who entered the solar industry for the first time. The company plans to train 500 more local installers this year.

"We are pleased that Enphase is expanding its presence in Ontario with a FiT-qualifying product," said Adam Webb, president of Sentinel Solar Corp. (formerly Sentinel Power Systems). "Sentinel was the first company to offer Enphase technology in Canada, and the first to offer it exclusively to our customers. Our mission is to make renewable energy easy to understand, install and use, and we truly believe Enphase is the absolute best solution for our installer and end-user customers."

Enphase microinverters convert the energy output of each individual solar PV module into grid-compliant AC power. The Enphase Microinverter System streamlines solar installations by integrating these state-of-the-art microinverters with advanced power-line communications and a Web-based monitoring service. The Enphase Microinverter System has a proven track record of making solar installation more productive, reliable, safe and cost-effective than historical approaches. The Enphase M190 and D380 Microinverters for the Ontario market will be generally available beginning in May 2010.

Enphase systems offer a number of advantages over traditional central inverters, including a five to 25 percent increase in energy yield, increased system reliability and a simpler and safer installation. Enphase products also remove design constraints by allowing modules to be installed in any combination of type, age and location. In addition, a proprietary communication technology is a key component of the Enphase Microinverter System, enabling continuous, remote, per-module monitoring to maximize energy production.

www.enphaseenergy.com

Vancouver, BC – BC’s Independent Power Producers Association today welcomed the results of BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call.

“The first award of contracts under BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call is a positive step forward for British Columbia’s clean energy industry and good news for the province’s economy,” said Paul Kariya, Executive Director of the Independent Power Producers of British Columbia.

BC Hydro awarded 19 separate energy purchase agreements to 10 proponents today under the utility’s Clean Power Call, totaling 2,400 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power more than 218,000 homes. The successful projects include hydro and wind technologies.

“These projects will produce cost-effective, clean, made-in-BC electricity that will create new jobs for British Columbians and grow the economy in communities throughout the province,” said Kariya. “They represent $3 billion in new capital investment for British Columbia and more than 3,000 person years of employment during their construction.”

“The Clean Power Call and future calls will contribute to some $8 billion in economic growth in BC’s clean energy sector. Up to 87,000 person years of employment will be created in construction alone over the next decade. Another 9,100 full-time jobs will be created once these projects are operational,” said Kariya. “This is about building a clean energy legacy that will benefit British Columbians now and well into the future.”

Launched in June 2008, BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call targeted up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of clean or renewable electricity through a competitive bidding process. BC Hydro eliminated 21 proposals in November 2009. In addition to the 19 contracts awarded today, BC Hydro announced it will continue to negotiate energy purchase agreements with the proponents of the 28 proposals that remain in the call process. Further contract awards are anticipated later in March.  

“The awarding of up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of contracts under the Clean Power Call along with the Campbell government’s commitment to implement critical clean energy initiatives in the coming months will instill certainty and confidence in British Columbia as a North American clean energy leader,” added Kariya.

IPPBC is BC’s clean energy sector advocate. Its 320 members comprise developers and support service providers who supply clean energy from run-of-river hydro, wind, bio-mass and new emerging fuels.  In partnership with First Nations, BC Hydro, BC Transmission Corporation, as well as provincial and federal governments and local communities, the clean energy sector is poised to contribute significantly to new jobs, investment and economic growth for British Columbia.

VANCOUVER, BC — Nexterra Systems Corp., a leading supplier of advanced, renewable biomass gasification heat and power solutions, announced that it has received the 2010 Sustainability Champion Award by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

Nexterra has received VANOC's 2010 Sustainability Champion Award for its leadership and contribution in helping to make sustainability an integral part of 2010 Olympics through strategic advice and support for the carbon offset program. The award was announced during a 2010 Olympic reception hosted in Vancouver by VANOC and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"VANOC is fortunate to have benefited over the past few years from the advice and support of individuals and organizations to help advance solutions to local and global sustainability challenges," says Linda Coady, Vice President, Sustainability at VANOC. "This award celebrates Nexterra's extraordinary contribution in helping VANOC establish a new Olympic performance benchmark for managing the climate impact of the Games."

"VANOC's commitment to hardwiring sustainability into all aspects of the 2010 Games has clearly demonstrated that green is a new way to create value," said Jonathan Rhone, President and CEO of Nexterra. "From green venue design to alternative fuel transportation, carbon offset program, innovative water treatment and waste management solutions, VANOC has set a new standard for future Olympic Games and we are very pleased to be part of this remarkable achievement."

For more information visit www.nexterra.ca.