Appalachian Power,American Electric Power
Date: 2020-04-24
In the Old Dominion State, Roanoke-based Appalachian Power Co., a unit of Columbus, Ohio-headquartered American Electric Power (AEP), reports receipt of the 2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for its leadership in energy efficiency and the ENERGY STAR program. Appalachian started offering energy efficiency programs in 2011.

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award recognizes ENERGY STAR partner businesses and organizations in good standing that demonstrate superior leadership, innovation and commitment to environmental protection through energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR. (Source: Appalachian Power, Smith Mountain Eagle, 21 April, 2020) Contact: Appalachian Power, Kelly Marlowe, Energy Efficiency Coordinator, www.appalachianpower.com; ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov; American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Appalachian Power,  ENERGY STAR,  American Electric Power,  Energy Efficiency,  

Wood Asset Solutions
Date: 2020-04-17
In the UK, Aberdeen-headquartered global engineering firm Wood Asset Solutions Plc is reporting approximately $100 million worth of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts from the US onshore wind market. The combined projects will see up to 100 turbines installed.

American Electric Power (AEP) Renewables' wind farm development in south-central Kansas, and Black Hills Energy Corriedale Wind Energy Project in Cheyenne, Wyoming are among the contracted projects. Wood will also work on four new wind farms in Morrow and Umatilla Counties in Oregon for Orchard Windfarms.

Wood provides performance-driven solutions throughout the asset life cycle, from concept to decommissioning across a broad range of industrial markets, including the upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas, power & process, environment and infrastructure, clean energy, mining, nuclear, and general industrial. (Source: Wood, Energy Voice, 14 April, 2020) Contact: Wood Asset Solutions Plc, www.woodplc.com; Wood Asset Solutions Americas, Stephanie Cox, CEO, www.woodplc.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/57215/ASA-Deep-dive-04_12_18.pdf

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  

Southwestern Electric Power
Date: 2019-10-16
Shreveport, Louisiana-based Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power (AEP) Company, is reporting payment of a $94,987.74 incentive check to Texarkana Aluminum for an energy efficient LED lighting project at its aluminum mill in Texarkana, Texas.

As part of the upgrade, the mill installed more than 200 LED fixtures. The SWEPCO incentive will help cover some of the upfront costs of this project, which has an expected payback period of less than two years with an annual savings of roughly $82,000.

This project is part of SWEPCO's Commercial Standard Offer Program. (Source: SWEPCO, PR, 15 Oct., 2019) Contact: Southwestern Electric Power Co., Malcolm Smoak, Pres., CEO, Mike Nix, Energy Efficiency and Consumer Program Coordinator, www.swepco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southwestern Electric Power Co.,  Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2019-09-11
In the Buckeye State, Columbus-based American Electric Power (AEP) reports it is cutting carbon dioxide emissions faster than anticipated and has revised its 2030 reduction target to 70 pct from 2000 levels. The company's previous target was a 60 pct reduction from 2000 levels by 2030. The company will cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 80 pct from 2000 levels by 2050, according to a release.

To that end, AEP will further invest in renewable generation and transmission and distribution technologies to enhance efficiency, and expanded demand response and energy efficiency programs. AEP's resource plans include adding more than 8,600 megawatts (MW) of new wind and solar generation to serve the company's regulated utility customers by 2030. Between 2019 and 2023, the company plans to invest approximately $2.2 billion in contracted renewables and renewables integrated with energy storage and approximately $25 billion over the next 5 years in its transmission and distribution systems.

To date, AEP has cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 59 pct since 2000. (Source: AEP, PR, 10 Sept., 2019) Contact: AEP Clean Energy Strategy, www.aep.com/investors/ESG .

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions ,  

National Carbon Capture Center
Date: 2019-08-16
The U.S. DOE National Carbon Capture Center reports French energy major player TOTAL has joined its ranks. TOTAL is the second major oil and gas producer to sponsor the center -- following ExxonMobil in 2018. Active in more than 130 countries, TOTAL produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity.

The National Carbon Capture Center serves as a neutral research and testing facility to advance technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based power plants.

Through the evaluation of over 60 technologies, the Center has already reduced the projected cost of carbon capture from fossil generation by one-third, according to the Center which is currently adding infrastructure to expand testing of carbon capture technologies for natural gas power plants.

National Carbon Capture Center partners include DOE and its National Energy Technology Laboratory, American Electric Power, ClearPath, the Electric Power Research Institute, ExxonMobil, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Tennessee Valley Authority, Peabody Energy and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority.

The National Carbon Capture Center is operated by the Southern Company and to date has worked more than 30 organizations from seven countries to evaluate and scale up emerging carbon capture technologies. (Source: National Carbon Capture Center , PR, AAAS, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: National Carbon Capture Center, John Northington, Dir., Marc Willis, (202) 586-3628, marc.willis@hq.doe.gov, www.nationalcarboncapturecenter.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  National Carbon Capture Center,  TOTAL,  Carbon Capture,  

AEP,City of Shelby
Date: 2019-08-07
In the Buckeye State, Shelby City Council reports the passage of three resolutions entering into an agreement with American Electric Power (AEP) for a 2.5 MW photovoltaic (PV) electric generation facility on 14 acres in Shelby (pop. 9,000 +-). The installation would incorporate "several thousand" 370-watt photovoltaic panels to generate roughly 3,500 MWh per year.

The city will be the sole consumer of the solar facility's power production. When fully online, the solar installation is expected to save the city an estimated $3 million in energy costs over 10 years. (Source: City of Shelby, Richland Source, 5 Aug., 2019) Contact: City of Shelby, John Ensman, Dir. of Utilities, 419-342-4085, www.shelbycity.oh.gov; American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  AEP,  

Southwestern Electric Power Co
Date: 2019-07-22
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power company, report it plans to add 810 MW of wind energy sufficient for roughly 200,000 homes by 2022, subject to FERC approval.

SWEPCO's long-view calls for more than one-third of its energy to be sourced from wind and solar resources and coal-fueled power generation to fall from 83 to 44 pct of the company's resource mix. Under the plan, wind energy will jump from 9 to 26 pct and solar power is introduced and grows to 10 pct.

SWEPCO is pursuing its proposal to acquire three Oklahoma wind generation facilities in conjunction with its sister company, Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO). One of the three wind projects is slated to be completed by the end of 2020 and the other projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2021. (Source: SWEPCO, Times Record, 20 July, 2019) Contact: Southwestern Electric Power Co., Malcolm Smoak, Pres., CEO, www.swepco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southwestern Electric Power Co,  

American Electric Power,Public Service Co. of Oklahoma
Date: 2019-07-17
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered American Electric Power (AEP) reports two of its companies -- Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) -- are seeking regulatory approvals for the approximate $2 billion purchase of three Oklahoma wind projects totaling 1,485 MW.

The projects, under development by Invenergy, include a 999 MW facility being built north of Weatherford, a 287 MW facility being built southwest of Enid and a 199 MW facility being built south of Alva. Collectively, the three facilities would provide more than 5.7 million MWh of new wind energy annually to serve customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

AEP notes it recently added 724 MW of wind and battery generation to its contracted competitive portfolio and has proposed adding more than 9,100 MW of new wind and solar generation and nearly 2,300 MW of new natural gas generation to its regulated power plant fleet by 2030. (Source: AEP, NA Windpower, 16 July, 2019)Contact: American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com; Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, www.psoklahoma.com; Southwestern Electric Power Co., www.swepco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

Sempra Energy
Date: 2019-04-26
Further to our Feb. 13th coverage, San Diego-based utility holding company Sempra Energy is reporting the completion of its exit from its U.S. renewables business with the sale of 7 wind farms totaling 724 MW and battery assets to Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power (AEP) for $1.05 billion. The transaction is the latest in a series of divestitures over the past year to raise $2.5 billion in proceeds.

In December 2018, the company completed the sale of its solar assets and battery storage development projects, along with one wind farm, to a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison for $1.6 billion. In February, it executed the sale of its non-utility U.S. natural gas storage facilities to an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners for $328 million in cash, marking its exit from the non-utility natural gas storage sector. The company is currently working to sell its equity interest in its South American businesses including its 83.6 pct stake in Luz del Sur S.A.A. in Peru and 100 pct stake in Chilquinta Energia S.A. in Chile.

The company said the move is consistent with a strategy to pay down debt and redeploy capital to support the growth of Sempra Energy in North America. (Source: Sempra Energy, Power Mag., 25 April, 2019) Contact: American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com; Sempra Energy, Jeff Martin, CEO (619) 696-2901, www.sempra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sempra Energy,  Renewable Energy,  

American Electric Power,Sempra Renewables
Date: 2019-02-13
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered American Electric Power Company Inc (AEP) reports it plans to acquire Sempra Renewables LLC renewables business and its 724-MW portfolio of wind and battery storage capacity for $1.06 billion, subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other approvals. The acquisition is based on $551 million cash, $343 million in project debt assumption, approximately $162 million in tax equity obligations plus closing and working capital adjustments.

AEP will absorb all of Sempra's shareholding in seven operational wind farms and a battery storage facility in Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. A Q2 closing is expected. (Source: AEP, Renewables, 13 Feb., 2019)Contact: American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com; Sempra Energy, Inv. Relations, (619) 696-2901, www.sempra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  AEP,  Sempra,  Wind,  Renewable Energy ,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-01-04
In the Buckeye State, the Commits $9 New Albany-Plain Local School District reports it will spend more than $900,000 on building energy efficiency and upgrades beginning this April.

As part of the program, the school board is assessing its boilers campus-wide and is working with Columbus, Ohio-based utility American Electric Power (AEP)to improve overall campus-wide energy efficiency, energy efficient lighting, HVAC controls and trimming general energy related costs. The board' aims to save $650,000 in total by June 30, of this year. (Source: New Albany-Plain Local School District, This Week Community News, 30 Dec., 2018) Contact: New Albany-Plain Local School District, Superintendent Michael Sawyers, www.napls.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2018-11-14
In the Buckeye State, Columbus-based American Electric Power (AEP) reports it plans to invest $33 billion in capital from 2019 through 2023, $2.7 billion of which is earmarked for new renewable generation, including approximately $2.2 billion for competitive, contracted renewable projects. The company will work with regulators to identify additional opportunities to add renewable generation in its regulated jurisdictions.

AEP operates the nation's largest electricity transmission system to deliver power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. The company also has approximately 32,000 MW of generating capacity, including 4,340 MW of renewable energy. (Source: AEP, WindPower, Nov., 2018)Contact: American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Renewable Energy,  

Kentucky Power,AEP
Date: 2018-10-19
In the Bluegrass State, the Ashland headquartered utility Kentucky Power, an operating company of Columbus, Ohio's American Electric Power (AEP), reports it is seeking to add up to 20 MW of solar energy to meet growing customer interest in solar options and to diversify its electric generation mix.

To that end, the utility is seeking bids for solar resources to be purchased. Qualifying projects must be located within Kentucky Power's service territory and be operational by Dec. 31, 2021.

Currently, Kentucky Power generates about 81 pct of 2,240 megawatts of electricity from coal and about 19 pct with natural gas. (Source: Kentucky Power, Sacramento Bee, 17 Oct., 2018) Contact: Kentucky Power, www.kentuckypower.com; AEP, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News AEP,  Kentucky Power,  Renewable Energy,  Solar,  AEP,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2018-07-30
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered American Electric Power (AEP) reports it is pulling the plug on its planned 2,000-MW Wind Catcher wind farm, which would have spanned two counties in the Oklahoma panhandle and delivered power to customers in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. The move came a day after the Texas PUC denied approval of the project, which had already won approval from regulators in Arkansas and Louisiana. A decision was pending before an Oklahoma regulatory panel.

The completed project would have included the construction of 800 wind turbines and a 360-mile transmission line from the wind farm to Tulsa, where the company said the existing electric grid would deliver power from the farm to customers. (Source: American Electric Power, Arkansas OnLine, Various Media, 27 July, 2018) Contact: American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, AEP Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Wind,  Wind Catcher,  

AEP Corp,Invenergy
Date: 2018-06-22
In the Buckeye State, Columbus-based utility American Electric Power (AEP) is reporting its proposed $4.5 billion Wind Catcher Energy Connection project has landed required approvals from Louisiana and Arkansas -- two of the four states it will ultimately serve. Texas and Oklahoma have not yet approved the proposed 2,000-MW wind farm to be constructed in Texas and in Cimaroon County on the Oklahoma panhandle.

The project would be developed by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC and will incorporate about 800 wind turbines supplied by GE Renewable Energy. Invenergy would sell the farm upon completion, expected in in 2020. AEP's Southwestern Electric Power Co. will own 70 pct of the project and Public Service Company of Oklahoma will hold the remaining 30 pct. Southwestern Electric Power Co. says the project will save customers $4 billion over its 25-year life, compared to what it would cost to buy the power on the open market, noting no fuel costs, tax credit benefits and cost-efficient delivery thanks to the dedicated power line. It serves 231,000 customers in Louisiana. AEP serves 5.4 million customers in 11 states. It has 33,000 megawatts of energy generation capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of solar energy as well as 224,000 miles of distribution lines. (Source: AEP, Columbus Business First, 20 June, 2018)Contact: AEP, (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com Southwestern Electric Power, www.swepco.com; Invenergy, Invenergy Wind LLC, (312) 224-1400, https://invenergyllc.com/what-we-do/wind

More Low-Carbon Energy News Invenergy ,  AEP,  American Electric Power,  Wind,  

Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Date: 2018-03-16
American Electric Power (AEP) subsidiary Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) reports it has reached an agreement with Walmart Inc. on the $4.5-billion Wind Catcher project which includes the acquisition of a 2,000-MW wind farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle from Invenergy. The wind farm and a power line to the Tulsa area are currently under construction. PSO's share of the investment is $1.36 billion.

PSO expects Wind Catcher to save its customers around $2 billion over its 25-year lifetime. (Source: Walmart, Renewables, 12 Mar., 2018) Contact: Walmart, Mark Vanderhelm, VP Energy, (800) 925-6278, https://corporate.walmart.com/contact-us; Public Service Company of Oklahoma, (888) 216-3523, www.psoklahoma.com; Invenergy Wind LLC, (312) 224-1400, https://invenergyllc.com/what-we-do/wind

More Low-Carbon Energy News Walmart,  Wind,  Public Service Company of Oklahoma,  Invenergy,  ,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2018-02-16
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered utility giant American Electric Power (AEP) has announced it will pursue a strategy to reduce its CO2 emissions by 60 pct from 2000 levels by 2030, and 80 pct from 2000 levels by 2050. To meet its goal, AEP plans to increase its investments in renewable generation and advanced technologies and increase its use of natural gas for power generation. It will also invest heavily in transmission and distribution systems to enhance efficiency as well as in expanded demand response and energy efficiency programs.

According to Nicholas K. Akins, AEP Chairman, President and CEO, "The strategy doesn't mean AEP will become a purely clean energy company. We believe in an 'all of the above' strategy, which includes investments in energy efficiency, renewables, natural gas, nuclear, hydro-electric and pumped storage and coal." AEP notes it has "factored future carbon regulations into the company's evaluation of generation resource options for many years and will continue to do so."

Since 2000, AEP has slashed CO2 emissions by 44 pct. Only 47 pct of AEP's generation fleet is coal-fired, compared to 70 pct in 2005 while renewable capacity is up from 4 pct in 2005 to 13 pct today. (Source: AEP, Feb., 2016)Contact: AEP, (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Carbon Emissions,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2018-02-09
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered American Electric Power (AEP) has released a report outlining the company's strategy for a clean energy future.

The report outlines a business strategy that will lead to reductions in CO2 emissions from its power plants of 60 pct from 2000 levels by 2030 and 80 pct from 2000 levels by 2050 through increased investments in renewable energy and other initiatives.

Specifically, AEP plans to add 3,065 MW of solar generation and 5,295 MW of wind generation to the portfolio serving its regulated utility customers by 2030. AEP's largest planned renewable energy investment is the $4.5 billion, 2,000-mw Wind Catcher Energy Connection project in Oklahoma. If approved, Wind Catcher will be the largest contiguous wind farm in the U.S. and will deliver nearly 9 million MWh of low-cost wind energy annually to AEP customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Between 2018 and 2020, the company also plans to invest approximately $1.2 billion in contracted renewables and renewables integrated with energy storage.

AEP has factored future carbon regulations into the company's evaluation of generation resource options for many years and will continue to do so. The company already has cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 44 pct since 2000.

Download AEP's Strategic Vision for a Clean Energy Future 2018 HERE. (Source: American Electric Power, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Carbon Emiossions,  Climate Change,  Renewable Energy,  

American Electric Power
Date: 2018-02-09
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered utility giant American Electric Power (AEP) has released its Strategic Vision for a Clean Energy Future 2018 report outlining the company's strategy for a addressing climate change and a clean energy future. The strategy includes new carbon dioxide emission reduction goals , investments in renewable energy resources and advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency of the power grid.

Between 2018 and 2020, the company plans to invest approximately $1.2 billion in contracted renewables and renewables integrated with energy storage. AEP has factored future carbon regulations into its evaluation of generation resource options and has cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 44 pct since 2000.

Download AEP's Strategic Vision for a Clean Energy Future 2018 HERE. (Source: American Electric Power, Feb., 2018) Contact: AEP, (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Renewable Energy,  

NextEra Energy Resources,AEP,Appalachian Power
Date: 2017-12-11
Following on our August 30th coverage, NextEra Energy Resources reports the commissioning of the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in Jay County, Indiana.

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center incorporates 57 General Electric wind turbines capable of generating almost 120 MW which is being purchased by American Electric Power. AEP will, in turn, service roughly 1 million customers of Appalachian Power in West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia with the energy generated from Bluff Point. (Source: NextEra Energy Resources, Connerville News Examiner, 8 Dec., 2017) Contact: NextEra Energy Resources LLC, Zack Melda, Project Director, (561) 691-7171, www.nexteraenergyresources.com; Appalachian Power, www.appalachianpower.com; AEP, (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News NextEra Energy Resources,  AEP,  Appalachian Power,  

WV Energy Efficiency Program Likely to Survive PSC Challenge (Ind. Report)
Date: 2017-12-11
In Charleston, Energy Efficiency West Virginia (EEWV) reports the American Electric Power (AEP) administered West Virginia energy efficiency program is expected to survive a challenge by the state's Public Service Commission (PSC) which has questioned the program's cost effectiveness. AEP runs the program for consumers of Allegheny Energy and Wheeling Power. Energy Efficient West Virginia and AEP have indicated that they want to maintain and expand the program.

The program, which helps people reduce their power bills through better insulation, efficient lighting and similar energy efficient upgrades, is a good investment and a cost effective way to meet the customer's energy requirements, have a better and more robust electrical system, create jobs and promote economic development, according to EEWV. The utilities are also finding it cheaper to reduce demand than to build more generating capacity, which saves money, even for ratepayers who don't participate in these programs, EEWV added. The program is largely the result of proposals made by EEWV during PSC consideration of a 2009 rate increase. (Source: EEWV, Public News Service WV, 11 Dec., 2017) Contact: AEP, Energy Efficiency West Virginia, www.appalachianpower.com; Public Service Commission of West Virginia, www.psc.state.wv.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Electric Power,  ,  Energy Efficiency,  

Battelle, AEP
Date: 2017-11-01
In the Buckeye State, the Columbus-based Battelle Memorial Institute -- a private nonprofit applied science and technology development company -- is reporting the conclusion of one of the first tests for geologic storage of carbon dioxide at a commercial, coal-fired power plant at the American Electric Power (AEP) Mountaineer Plant in New Haven, West Virginia.

The carbon capture and storage (CCS) research project, which began in 2002, was supported by the United States DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Based on the positive findings from the exploratory well drilling and seismic survey, AEP decided in 2007 to proceed with a 20 MW pilot test facility, with on-site CO2 capture, compression, transport, and injection. Battelle was then hired by AEP to continue providing geologic CCS expertise followed by a post-injection monitoring and site closeout phase ending in 2017.

It was the first CCS project at a working coal-fired power plant, it was funded primarily by private sources and helped establish the technical viability of CCS to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants, and to store carbon dioxide in geologic layers with limited prior data.

The project demonstrated the full life-cycle, from inception, characterization well-drilling to find suitable storage zones, reservoir analysis, integration with pilot-scale system for a CO2 supply, injection, storage assessment, monitoring and final close-out in 2017. (Source: Battelle, PR. 28 Oct., 2017) Contact: Battelle, Katy Delaney, (614) 424-7208, delaneyk@battelle.org, www.battelle.org; AEP, Matt Usher, Director of New Technology Development & Policy Support, (800) 672-2231, www.aepohio.com; Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership, www.mrcsp.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CO2,  Battelle,  AEP,