BHE Renewables Announces Plans for Largest Wind Development in Nebraska

BHE Renewables, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, announced plans to construct a 400-MW wind farm in Holt County, Nebraska - the largest wind energy project in the state's history. The project will increase Nebraska's wind energy capacity by nearly 50 percent and represents the first project in the state for BHE Renewables. BHE Renewables plans to begin construction at Grande Prairie this summer with completion scheduled for the end of 2016.

NextEra Energy Partners Acquired 664 MW of Wind Asset

NextEra Energy Partners completed its previously announced agreement to acquire approximately 664 MW of operating renewable power generation assets from the sponsor, NextEra Energy Resources. The additional facilities include: Ashtabula Wind III, a 62.4-MW wind generating facility located in Barnes County, N.D.; Baldwin, a 102.4-MW wind generating facility located in Burleigh County, N.D.; Mammoth Plains, a 198.9-MW wind generating facility located in Dewey and Blaine Counties, Okla.; and Stateline, a 300-MW wind generating facility located on the border of

ITC Energizes Thumb Loop Transmission Line

ITCTransmission completed the Thumb Loop high-voltage transmission project with the energization of the third and final phase of the project. ITC invested $510 million to build the 345 kV line, which serves as the backbone of a system designed to meet the identified maximum wind energy potential of Michigan's Thumb region. It also will contribute to regional system reliability and facilitate wholesale market competition.

DTE Energy Partners with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company

DTE Energy partnered with Domino's Farms and Ford Motor Company to build and operate the two largest solar arrays in Michigan. DTE Energy has begun construction of a 1.1-MW photovoltaic solar installation at Domino's Farms, just east of Ann Arbor, which will be completed and operational by the end of the year. The solar installation will have capacity to generate 1,089 kilowatts of electricity.

Risk Based Compliance and Reliability Assurance for Utilities

This premiere meeting will provide Industry leaders with insight into the recent launch of NERC’s new Risk Based Compliance. We will showcase a dynamic environment for senior counsel to provide a platform for utilities companies to enhance their GRC, CIP and Reliability Compliance initiatives while presenting a platform to grasp the new regulations. Click here for more information.

Enron's Lessons

Some will stray from ethical behavior. But markets must be regulated to maintain confidence.

Enron's collapse stands perhaps as the most the indelible bankruptcy in US history - one that not only triggered a recession but also caused lawmakers and regulators alike to remake the rules by which corporations must live. A key question remains, however: Are markets today better insulated from manipulation?

2nd Microgrid Development for Public and Private Sectors West Coast Conference

Revolutionize energy storage systems, renewable technologies, and structural design to enhance energy reliability and overall microgrid productivity. Following the success of the First Annual West and East Coast Microgrid Conferences, the 2015 West Coast edition continues to provide a platform for public and private sector professionals to demonstrate and discuss their successful microgrid projects and lessons learned.

Transactions (May 2015)

FuelCell Energy closed its definitive agreement to sell a 1.4-MW fuel cell power plant project to NRG Energy; FPL proposes to purchase CBAS Power for a price of $520.5 million; Renewable Energy Trust secured CAD $115MM in financing to acquire the 12.6 MW DiscoveryLight and 14.2 MW FotoLight projects from Canadian Solar; b secured $86.2MM in financing to acquire the 31.26 MW DC McHenry Solar PV Plant in Modesto, Calif. and the 13.1 MW DC Heber Solar PV project in Imperial County, Calif.; Peabody Energy completed its offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 10% senior secured second lien notes due 2022; AES intends to offer $575 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2025; And others ...