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MSE Power Systems Inc (“MSE”) headquartered in Albany, New York announced a company name change to CG Power Solutions USA Inc. In October, 2008, MSE was acquired by Crompton Greaves Ltd. (CG), a global leader in power transmission and distribution headquartered in India. MSE’s name change was a planned phase of this acquisition. CG Power Solutions USA, Inc. will remain a US based entity. There will be no changes in management, quality of services, or personnel providing these services.
This name change comes on the heels of CG’s recent opening of a new $20M power transformer plant in Washington, MO and CG’s recent announcement of its partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (“CNSE”) of the University of Albany to establish a $20M Center for Intelligent Power at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex that will enable nanotechnology innovations for smart grid solutions, creating over 100 high-tech jobs in upstate New York and fueling development and use of clean and renewable energy technologies.
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 By Cynthia Crooks
The modern age wind energy industry has its roots in Europe. It was born out of the oil embargo in the 1970s. This event was a wake-up call to the European nations of Denmark, Germany, Spain, and others. Policy makers in these countries set out to reduce their dependence on foreign oil, in part by establishing national policy that favored domestic sources of energy. Hence, the modern day wind industry was born. These governments provided tax incentives to private individuals that invested in wind energy development. At one point, the majority of wind energy installations in these countries were owned by a collection of individual owners—the precise definition of “community wind.” A high proportion of the wind energy in these countries still comes from community wind today.
Community wind (CW) is defined by local ownership and, in some cases, by size. Generally, one or several people local to the community where the wind farm is being built have a significant financial stake in the project. Community wind projects are commercial-scale and can range in size from sub one megawatt (MW) to hundreds of MWs.
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 By Ed Feo; Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP
Along with 20,000 other enthusiasts, I attended the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2010 Conference & Exhibition, held this year in Dallas, Texas (http://2010.windpowerexpo.org). The exhibit floor was especially impressive, having expanded to nearly 370,000 square feet while accommodating 1,400 exhibitors from 22 countries. The wind industry in the United States installed over 10,000 MW in 2009, for a world-leading total capacity of 35,000 MW. Very impressive for an industry that in early 2000 had installed capacity in the US of less than 2,500 MW.
To be expected, the AWEA show was an opportunity for the industry and its trade organization to trumpet the accomplishments of the past year, and to reiterate its bright future. The overall theme was that “wind works,” as an energy source and as a provider of jobs in the US.
Despite the overall positive tone, a couple of trends were noted that would suggest some uncertainty for the wind industry—and for renewables in general. |
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A new Ipsos Reid poll commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) finds that nine in 10 Ontario residents support the production of wind energy in their region of the province for its economic and environmental benefits. The level of support remains high even when respondents were asked if a wind project’s location is within their own community.
“The poll found that 89% of Ontario residents either strongly supported or somewhat supported wind energy in their region of Ontario,” said Sean Simpson of Ipsos Reid. “Most also agreed (86%) that their municipal government should encourage and facilitate wind energy development, while a similarly high percentage (85%) believe wind energy can provide economic opportunities and benefits.”
The poll also found that most Ontario residents think it is important that Ontario’s electricity supply become more environmentally friendly and that 87% of those surveyed believe that wind energy has less impact on human health compared to other sources of electricity.
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