NEW YORK: According to data provided by the Renewable Energy Policy Network of the 21st Century (REN21), 2017 was another record-breaking year for renewable energy, characterized by the largest ever increase in renewable power capacity, falling costs, increases in investment and advances in enabling technologies. The power sector generating capacity saw its largest annual increase ever in 2017, raising total capacity by almost 9% over 2016. Solar PV led the way, accounting for nearly 55% of newly installed renewable power capacity in 2017. The report indicates that more than 20 countries launched the Powering Past Coal Alliance in 2017, with the goal of phasing out coal power by 2030, with new pledges from Angola, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (TSX-V: CBLU), Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB),
Pattern Energy Group Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGI), SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR),
Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH)
The importance of reducing traditional energy sources and increasing the use of renewable energy has been further emphasized last week, as the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on global warming, urging drastic changes in our energy consumption habits. Failure to act will result in “more heat waves for tens of millions of people. Far greater species loss. Increased water scarcity in some of the world’s most unstable regions. A ten-fold increase in Arctic ice-free summers. And a total wipe-out of the world’s coral reefs,” according to the report. Rana Adib, Executive Secretary of REN21explained, “Renewable power accounted for 70% of net additions to global power generating capacity in 2017, but global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose 1.4% in 2017, after three years of holding steady. The increase in carbon emissions was the result of robust global economic growth (of 3.7%), lower fossil fuel prices and weaker energy efficiency efforts… This year’s Renewables 2018 Global Status Report (GSR) reveals two realities: one in which a revolution in the power sector is driving rapid change towards a renewable energy future, and another in which the overall transition is not advancing with the speed needed.”
Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (TSX-V: CBLU) currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol (TSX-V: CBLU). Earlier this week, the Company announced that, “Miriam Tuerk, CEO and co-founder of Clear Blue Technologies International Inc, the Smart Off-Grid™ company, Jamie Yang, power and connectivity project group co-chair at Facebook, and Cesar Hernandez-Perez, manager of strategic projects and investments at Telefonica, [shared] the results of projects using OpenCellular-Power (OC-Power) at the 2018 TIP Summit in London.
TIP is an initiative co-founded in 2016 by Facebook, SK Telecom, Intel, Nokia, and Deutsche Telekom to accelerate the pace of innovation in the telecom industry and improve connectivity for a billion people worldwide. In just two years, TIP has grown to include over 500 organizations as members, who are investing capital, resources, and expertise to develop and install entirely new and economically-viable telecom infrastructure for emerging markets.
OC-Power is the open-source power solution for TIP’s OpenCellular wireless access platform, designed to deliver a highly reliable, low-cost and easy-to-maintain power source. Clear Blue is jointly developing the Smart Power Management API for OC-Power with Facebook. The Smart Power Management API will define the interface to smart management systems, such as Clear Blue’s Illumience cloud software.
‘There is a huge opportunity in the market to bring connectivity to billions of people, but it requires new technology and low-cost, managed power,’ said Miriam Tuerk. ‘We are excited to be working with Facebook and other TIP members to deliver the clean power system and remote management capability for TIP’s OpenCellular telecoms solution. We have already demonstrated success through collaboration with Facebook and other TIP members on projects in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.’
Connecting the Unconnected:
Clear Blue has delivered its Smart Off-Grid technology for the following telecom projects:
It completed a project with Telefonica and Mayu Telecommunications to provide broadband connectivity and telecommunications to communities in the Amazon rainforest.
Its Smart Off-Grid technology was installed by Raeanna, a Nigerian telecom infrastructure company, at eight rural sites, providing reliable communications services for tens of thousands of Nigerians. An additional 20 sites are currently being installed.
Vanu is also using Clear Blue’s Smart Off-Grid technology, with plans to connect up to one million customers in rural Rwanda and improve reliability of its systems.
Clear Blue will also launch an OC-Power addition to its Illumience Smart Off-Grid management service, which today controls, manages, and proactively services off-grid systems for telecom, lighting, security, the Internet of Things, and other critical infrastructure in 34 countries worldwide. The addition will enable advanced features including energy forecasting, comprehensive system management, control and alert capabilities to prevent outages and enable remote troubleshooting.
About Clear Blue Technologies International: Clear Blue Technologies International, the Smart Off-Grid™ company, was founded on a vision of delivering clean, managed, “wireless power” to meet the global need for reliable, low-cost, solar and hybrid power for lighting, telecom, security, Internet of Things devices, and other mission-critical systems. Today, Clear Blue has thousands of systems under management across 34 countries, including the U.S. and Canada.”
Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB), recently announced that it is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy by the end of 2020. In a record-breaking year of corporate renewable energy purchases, Facebook is on track to be one of the largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy. Since Facebook’s first purchase of wind power in 2013, the Company has signed contracts for over 3 gigawatts of new solar and wind energy, that includes over 2,500 megawatts in the past 12 months. “We are proud of the impact our renewable energy program is having on local communities and the market in general. All of these wind and solar projects are new and on the same grid as our data centers. That means that each of these projects brings jobs, investment and a healthier environment to the communities that host us – from Prineville, Oregon, and Los Lunas, New Mexico, to Henrico, Virginia, and Luleå, Sweden. We bring an open and innovative approach to finding renewable energy solutions that fit our needs and can move energy markets forward. We do this by working to enable access to renewable energy resources for other companies and organizations by building infrastructure, opening projects to other buyers or establishing green tariffs, which allow customers to buy renewable energy from their local utilities,” said Facebook in the news release.
Pattern Energy Group Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGI) is an independent power company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pattern Energy Group Inc. and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board recently announced the acquisition of the 147 megawatt (MW) Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind power facility from Pattern Energy Group LP (“Pattern Development 1.0”). Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Québec City, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind is fully operational and has been jointly acquired pursuant to a prior-agreed purchase-and-sale agreement. Pattern Energy acquired a 51% interest in Mont Sainte-Marguerite for a total investment of approximately USD 40 Million, which represents a CAFD multiple of 10x of the five-year average CAFD1 and was funded using available liquidity. PSP Investments acquired a 49% interest in Mont Sainte-Marguerite. Pattern Energy will operate the facility. “Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind is an ideal investment from any angle, including everything from its long-term potential, to its locally sourced construction and positive local impact,” said Patrick Samson, Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure Investments, PSP Investments. “We are proud to once again partner with Pattern Energy, to support its continued growth and its ability to increasingly provide renewable energy to clients throughout the world.”
SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR), as one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable energy companies, provides a diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and services. Following up on its commitment last spring to invest in American manufacturing, SunPower recently announced that it has completed its acquisition of certain assets of SolarWorld Americas, including its Hillsboro, Oregon facilities and its predominantly manufacturing workforce of more than 200 employees. SunPower has already begun to inject fresh capital into the factory as it executes plans to implement its leading-edge high efficiency P-Series solar panel manufacturing technology. SunPower has already begun implementing its plans to move relevant equipment to Hillsboro and rapidly convert existing module capacity to manufacture 19% efficient P-Series technology. Product shipments are expected to begin by the first quarter of next year. During this transition, Hillsboro employees will continue to produce SolarWorld Americas product over the next several months before refocusing on manufacturing SunPower P-Series products. “This acquisition is an important step in helping to reshape solar manufacturing in America,” said Tom Werner, SunPower Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “With a dedicated and experienced Hillsboro workforce and our advanced P-Series solar panel manufacturing technology, invented and perfected in Silicon Valley, we’ll be able to sell high-performance American-assembled panels to serve our strong U.S. market demand.”
Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company, delivers smart, easy-to-use solutions that connect solar generation, storage and management on one intelligent platform. Enphase Energy, Inc. recently announced that the leading Washington, D.C.-based solar contractor, Solar Solution, leverages the Enphase Home Energy Solution with IQ™ for 72-cell modules in combination with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to provide clean solar energy to commercial, non-profit and residential customers in the Washington, D.C. area. “Developing and leveraging a PPA to bring clean, reliable solar energy to the Washington, D.C. area is one of the things that makes Solar Solution one of the most innovative solar contractors in the nation,” said Badri Kothandaraman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enphase Energy. “It is an inspiration to see Solar Solution build a dominant market position by leveraging Enphase products in combination with its innovative financing model, and by keeping the focus on delivering real value to homeowners.”
About FinancialBuzz.com
FinancialBuzz.com, a leading financial news informational web portal designed to provide the latest trends in Market News, Investing News, Personal Finance, Politics, Entertainment, in-depth broadcasts on Stock News, Market Analysis and Company Interviews. A pioneer in the financially driven digital space, video production and integration of social media, FinancialBuzz.com creates 100% unique original content. FinancialBuzz.com also provides financial news PR dissemination, branding, marketing and advertising for third parties for corporate news and original content through our unique media platform that includes Newswire Delivery, Digital Advertising, Social Media Relations, Video Production, Broadcasting, and Financial Publications.
Please Note: FinancialBuzz.com is not a financial advisory or advisor, investment advisor or broker-dealer and do not undertake any activities that would require such registration. The information provided on http://www.FinancialBuzz.com (the ‘Site’) is either original financial news or paid advertisements provided [exclusively] by our affiliates (sponsored content), FinancialBuzz.com, a financial news media and marketing firm enters into media buys or service agreements with the companies which are the subject to the articles posted on the Site or other editorials for advertising such companies. We are not an independent news media provider and therefore do not represent or warrant that the information posted on the Site is accurate, unbiased or complete. FinancialBuzz.com receives fees for producing and presenting high quality and sophisticated content on FinancialBuzz.com along with other financial news PR media services. FinancialBuzz.com does not offer any personal opinions, recommendations or bias commentary as we purely incorporate public market information along with financial and corporate news. FinancialBuzz.com only aggregates or regurgitates financial or corporate news through our unique financial newswire and media platform. For Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. financial news dissemination and PR services, FinancialBuzz.com has been compensated five thousand dollars by the company. Our fees may be either a flat cash sum or negotiated number of securities of the companies featured on this editorial or site, or a combination thereof. The securities are commonly paid in segments, of which a portion is received upon engagement and the balance is paid on or near the conclusion of the engagement. FinancialBuzz.com will always disclose any compensation in securities or cash payments for financial news PR advertising. FinancialBuzz.com does not undertake to update any of the information on the editorial or Site or continue to post information about any companies the information contained herein is not intended to be used as the basis for investment decisions and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. The information contained herein is not an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security. FinancialBuzz.com, members and affiliates are not responsible for any gains or losses that result from the opinions expressed on this editorial or Site, company profiles, quotations or in other materials or presentations that it publishes electronically or in print. Investors accept full responsibility for any and all of their investment decisions based on their own independent research and evaluation of their own investment goals, risk tolerance, and financial condition. FinancialBuzz.com. By accessing this editorial and website and any pages thereof, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, as may be amended from time to time. None of the content issued by FinancialBuzz.com constitutes a recommendation for any investor to purchase, hold or sell any particular security, pursue a particular investment strategy or that any security is suitable for any investor. This publication is provided by FinancialBuzz.com. Each investor is solely responsible for determining whether a particular security or investment strategy is suitable based on their objectives, other securities holdings, financial situation needs, and tax status. You agree to consult with your investment advisor, tax and legal consultant before making any investment decisions. We make no representations as to the completeness, accuracy or timeless of the material provided. All materials are subject to change without notice. Information is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. For our full disclaimer, disclosure and Terms of Use, please visit: http://www.financialbuzz.com.
Source: FinancialBuzz.com
