by jboullion | Jan 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by C&D Technologies:
PRNewswire-FirstCall — C&D Technologies, Inc. [headquartered in Blue Bell, PA], a leading producer and marketer of batteries, battery systems and integrated standby power systems, today announced that the company has been awarded a contract by the US Army for the development of large-format lithium-ion battery systems. The $19 million contract will span an estimated four year period from September 18, 2009, with the objective of developing large-format lithium-ion batteries that can meet the growing needs of the US Army for light-weight, high power density battery systems. The technologies developed under the program will also be utilized in meeting the needs of C&D’s commercial customers, with potential application to large-scale grid-energy storage, renewable energy applications and distributed power for telecommunications systems, in addition to broader application in other branches of the military. The result will be a sustainable, domestic US source for high performance, large-format lithium-ion batteries, with the potential for achieving economies of scale to ensure affordability in a range of military and commercial applications. These new advanced lithium-ion battery systems will be developed and produced in C&D’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin operations, which has been a focus for renewed investment for the company over the last two years. . . .
“This contract will allow C&D Technologies to establish a world class research and development facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, including pilot production capability dedicated to large-format lithium-ion batteries, and will establish a domestic manufacturing base for C&D designed lithium battery systems” said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, President and CEO of C&D Technologies.
by jboullion | Dec 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
An article on RENEW’s president Jenny Heinzen from the Wisconsin Education Association:
Jenny Heinzen’s job isn’t a breeze – though it does rely on it. As a Wind Energy Technology instructor at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wis., Heinzen not only teaches about harnessing an alternative form of energy, she’s been part of the push for new wind farms in Wisconsin.
In September, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law a bill calling for uniform standards for wind farms. The bill will create a set of rules overruling any local ordinances on wind farms, potentially setting up a boon for wind projects in the state. Heinzen is part of a group called Wind for Wisconsin, which spurred the legislation. Heinzen said she wants to create wind farms to move Wisconsin forward and keep wind energy technology students in the state.
“The bill, and consequently the new law, was absolutely necessary in order to move forward,” Heinzen said. “The last thing I want is to ship all of my graduates to other states. I want them to have jobs available here at home. And I want Wisconsin to start using more renewable energy, as we have no coal, gas, oil or uranium. But we’ve got wind, sun, water and agricultural wastes that can be used to produce electricity. . . .”
Heinzen is also the president of nonprofit clean energy organization RENEW Wisconsin, and said a state set of standards for wind farms is crucial for their development.
“This has been one of our main topics for the past two years,” she said. “The bill was created in response to a plethora of local ordinances that ultimately restricted, and sometimes killed, wind power projects in this state.”
Heinzen said the best part of her job is watching her students learn and climb, as well as setting them up for success later in life.
“Even better is when they get their job as a technician after, and sometimes before, graduation,” she added.
by jboullion | Dec 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Telkonet:
GERMANTOWN, MD–(Marketwire – December 21, 2009) – Telkonet, Inc. (OTCBB: TKOI), a Clean Technology company that develops and manufactures proprietary energy management and SmartGrid networking technology, is conducting a restructuring which includes the relocation of its offices from Germantown, Maryland to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This transition is part of an ongoing focus to competitively position the company within the $50 billion SmartGrid and Clean Technology industries while achieving favorable cost reductions. . . .
Jason Tienor, President and CEO, commented, “The decision to consolidate Telkonet’s operations demonstrates our continued commitment to realign our business and operations, helping us achieve our growth and expansion goals. With this relocation strategy, we’re able to optimize our resources, positioning the Company to more effectively address the needs of the growing Clean Technology market. In addition, we look forward to becoming a significant part of the Clean Technology landscape in Wisconsin. This transition demonstrates our dedication to Wisconsin and further meets the conditions of our funding with the State to increase employment within
Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Dec 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
An Associated Press article published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune:
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle says he is focusing on developing jobs in clean energy fields at the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen.
Doyle told reporters in a conference call Wednesday he has been meeting with other leaders and company executives to discuss “building a good strong new economy in green energy and energy conservation.”
Doyle said Wisconsin has a tremendous opportunity to create a significant part of its economy around jobs in water, wind energy, and sustainable forestry.
He said the state must not resist transitioning away from the dirty fuel sources like coal that have historically powered the state. Doing so, he said, would put the state at an economic disadvantage.
by jboullion | Dec 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a Tom Content post on JSOnline:
Nine Wisconsin companies including Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Kohler Co. will receive $14.5 million in energy efficiency fencing through the federal stimulus package.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced the moves during an appearance at Kohler Co. The money is funded through the state Focus on Energy program, after the state won the funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The announcement was the second made Thursday by Doyle concerning energy efficiency and green jobs for state manufacturers.
The companies receiving funds include Briggs & Stratton Corp., Wauwatosa, $1.29 million; Didion Milling Inc. of Cambria, $5.59 million, Domtar Paper, Rothschild, $870,500; Kohler Co., $1.72 million; NewPage, Wisconsin Rapids, $495,000; Quad/Graphics, Sussex, $868,466; Thilmany Paper, Kaukauna, $1.07 million; and Wausau Paper Specialty Products, which will receive $706,968 for its Mosinee mill and $1.97 million for its Rhinelander paper mill.
