Generator inspection and Testing in Alaska
Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, is soliciting proposals for the electrical testing and inspection of two electric generators: an Electric Machinery Mfg. Co. brand 85MVA hydrogen-cooled synchronous generator at its Beluga facility and a General Electric 29.6MVA air-cooled generator at its Bernice Lake facility. In addition, it is also requesting time and material rate sheets for cleaning the rotor and stator of the machine and a listing on repairing various generator problems including: re-wedging, individual bar replacement, and complete rewinds. Sealed proposals are due at 4 p.m. AST on March 8. For more information, visit the Anchorage Daily News Web site.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Paris-based Areva, has just taken its first step into the solar market with the acquisition of Mountain View, Calif.-based Ausra. Combining Ausra's proven technology and Areva's engineering, procurement, and construction skills, the group is committed to building the most cost-effective concentrated solar panel plants for utilities, independent power producers, and industrial customers around the world.

For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.

Constellation Energy Announces $90 Million Solar Capital Commitment
Constellation Energy, Baltimore, recently announced it will support the development of commercial photovoltaic (PV) power systems with a $90 million solar capital commitment. To maximize the value of government renewable incentives, the $90 million set-aside will be available for customer-sited solar installations of 500kW or larger that begin construction before mid-year 2010.

To read more about the $90 million capital commitment, visit the EC&M Web site.

Report Says 2,000+ Microgrids to be Deployed by 2015
According to a recent report from Pike Research, Boulder, Colo., a variety of trends are converging to create significant growth potential for microgrids, or "islanded" power generation and distribution zones that can operate autonomously from the larger electrical grid, leading the cleantech market intelligence firm to forecast that more than 2,000 sites will be operational worldwide by 2015, up from fewer than 100 in 2010.

To read more about this report, visit the EC&M Web site.

New Jersey Adopts New Solar Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards
New Jersey recently enacted the Solar Energy Advancement and Fair Competition Act, which establishes a 16-year solar renewable energy portfolio standard (solar RPS). This new law requires New Jersey to obtain a significant portion of its electricity from solar generating facilities. The solar RPS initially requires power suppliers and basic generation service providers collectively to provide at least 300GWh of solar electricity generation in the RPS's first year, June 2010 to May 2011. This requirement increases each year until 2026, when the solar RPS will require nearly 5,500GWh of solar generation.

To read more about the RPS, visit the EC&M Web site.

Eye on Safety
Navy Investigates Electrocution Aboard Carrier
Navy officials are investigating the apparent electrocution of a chief petty officer working in a machinery space aboard the carrier Ronald Reagan on February 19. Chief Electrician’s Mate (SS/DV) John Conyers, 36, died after he suffered “severe electrical shock while conducting routine electrical work,” Naval Air Forces officials said in a statement. Medical personnel aboard the carrier tried to revive Conyers, who was taken by ambulance to a Coronado, Calif., hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. At the time of the incident, Conyers was working in the auxiliaries room for the ship's number one propulsion system, said Lt. Glenn Sircy, a Naval Air Forces spokesman in Coronado. To read the full story, visit the Navy Times Web site.

Call for Papers
2010 WEEC
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has issued a call for papers and posters for the 2010 World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), scheduled for December 8-10 in Washington, D.C. Suggested topics for papers include LEED certification, energy management systems, performance contracting, smart grid, energy auditing, and photovoltaics. Deadline for receipt of one-page abstracts is March 26. For more suggested topics and information, visit the AEE Web site.

Shows & Events





Electric West 2010
The Electric West Show, to be held March 16-18, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the perfect place to brush up on the latest NEC topics — and earn continuing education credits in the process. Geared toward electrical contractors, consulting & specifying engineers, electricians, and plant facility personnel, the conference program will offer the following NEC seminars, presented by industry experts such as Mike Holt, Keith Lofland, and Edward Gorginian.

• Analysis of 2011 NEC Changes
• Understanding Important NEC Requirements
• Dwelling Calculations
• Advanced NEC Calculations
• Grounding vs. Bonding
• Swimming Pools and Similar Installations

2010 Upper Midwest Electrical Expo
North Central Electrical League (NCEL) will present the 2010 Upper Midwest Electrical Expo from April 14-15 in Minneapolis. Topics for technical sessions at this event include NFPA 70E, grounding services, Code calculations, and solar energy systems. For more information, visit the NCEL Web site.