Ballard Power Systems and its consortium partners received approximately $6.7 million in funding from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the National Fuel Cell Bus Program for the deployment of two next-generation fuel cell buses as well as for extended operation of two existing Ballard-powered buses. Ballard will deliver its next-generation fuel cell power module - the FCvelocity-HD7 - to BAE Systems for incorporation into its HybriDrive propulsion system, with the final bus assembly to be completed by ElDorado National.

Duke Energy Renewables began construction on a 5-MW utility-scale solar power project in Beaufort County, N.C., adjacent to its 12.5-MW Washington White Post facility. As in the initial project, the solar energy generated from the Washington White Post II site will be sold through a 15-year agreement to North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA). Duke Energy Renewables has contracted with SunEnergy1 to build the 27,450-panel photovoltaic project. It should be complete by the end of 2013.

First Solar and BELECTRIC Holding, GmbH launched a joint venture (JV) that will realize solar energy projects on three continents. The JV - PV Projects GmbH & Co.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted new performance incentives to promote energy efficiency goals.

GridCOM Technologies, a provider of quantum cyber security solutions for energy infrastructures, was awarded a grant from the state of California to help protect the country's electrical grid from the growing threat of cyber-attacks. GridCOM will receive $95,000, the maximum amount available, under the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, specifically the energy innovations small grant (EISG) program.

Opelika Power Services (OPS) selected the Tantalus Homerun Network as the technology platform for a fiber-based smart grid solution which will be coupled with the utility’s triple-play media services.

As part of its 10-year, $2.6 billion grid modernization program, ComEd began installation of more than 4 million smart meters throughout its service territory. ComEd expects to install 60,000 smart meters by the end of 2013. The full deployment will be complete in 2021.

EDF Renewable Energy closed on the membership interest purchase agreement to acquire the Heartland Biogas Project with Heartland Renewable Energy. The 20MW equivalent anaerobic digester and renewable natural gas (RNG) facility has commenced construction activities with biogas deliveries to begin by the end of first quarter 2014. The project, located near LaSalle, Colorado, uses a complete mix anaerobic digester system to produce up to 4,700 MMBtu of biogas daily.

APR Energy was awarded 147MW of new contracts for fast-track power projects in Mozambique, Senegal, and Indonesia. The 40MW award in Mozambique is a multi-year contract for a fast-track power plant comprising gas power modules. The plant will run solely on natural gas and will be APR Energy's second project in the country. The 32MW contract award for diesel power modules in Senegal will supplement the 66MW of power capacity APR Energy is already providing.

Entergy plans to close and decommission its Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon, Vt. The station is expected to cease power production after its current fuel cycle and move to safe shutdown in the fourth quarter of 2014. The station will remain under the oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission throughout the decommissioning process. Vermont Yankee, a single unit boiling water reactor, began commercial operation in 1972. Entergy acquired the plant from Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation in 2002.