The Minnesota Department of Commerce selected Microgrid Institute for a two-part project addressing combined heat and power (CHP) stakeholder engagement in the state. The project includes a pair of contracts to perform work that will assist the Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, in its efforts to develop a CHP Action Plan for the state. Microgrid Institute’s work under the contracts will include facilitating CHP stakeholder engagement meetings and performing a series of stakeholder surveys.

Pattern Energy Group acquired the 200-MW Logan's Gap wind project located in Comanche County, Texas, from Pioneer Green Energy. Pioneer Green Energy began work in 2013 and executed a 10-year PPA with Wal-Mart stores, for approximately 60% of the project's expected production. Pattern Development expects to arrange financing for and start full construction of the project in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Siemens Energy will supply high-efficiency steam turbine-generator sets with associated instrumentation & control components to power plant projects for Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), Siemens' licensed partner in India. The machines are destined for the coal-fired units of the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) and for IB Thermal Power Station Banharpalli. These turbine generators deliver a combined installed electrical generating capacity of over 3,300 MW.

PSEG Long Island coordinated an effort with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to launch on-bill recovery and smart energy loans. All PSEG Long Island residential customers are now able to apply for solar PV systems from local contractors through a Smart Energy Loan or On-Bill Recovery loan, which provides the convenience of repaying the loan through their PSEG Long Island bill. The program includes two, low-interest loan options through Green Jobs - Green New York (GJGNY).

Exelon agreed to buy fuel-cell power plants with 21 MW of capacity that Bloom Energy plans to install at 75 corporate sites in four states. Commercial customers including AT&T will purchase the electricity for each plant’s ability to provide power locally with less pollution and more reliability than the grid. Fuel cell generators produce electricity where it’s consumed from natural gas through a chemical reaction that produces fewer carbon emissions than plants that burn fuel.

Vista Solar completed a 153-kW solar array for WestGate Church in San Jose, Calif. The system, which was designed and installed by Vista Solar, is expected to generate more than 250,000 kWh of energy each year. Vista Solar secured a $0 down, 15-year PPA which allowed WestGate to be cash-flow positive from the start. As part of the PPA agreement, Vista Solar will monitor the system for 15 years to ensure it is performing at or above expectations.