Toshiba delivered battery energy storage systems integrating the company's SCiB, an lithium-ion secondary battery to Kyushu Electric Power, for a demonstration project to expand introduction of renewable energy sources on remote islands. The systems have been installed in substations on Tanegashima Island and Amamioshima Island, in Kagoshima prefecture. The demonstration program will run for three years to fiscal 2016.

First Solar completed the 1.3MW solar PV power plant at Kitakyushu-shi. Powered by First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV modules, the plant will generate approximately 1,400 MWh of solar electricity per year. Power from the project will be purchased by Kyushu Electric Power Company. First Solar holds 100 percent equity in the project. Obayashi Corporation and Yaskawa Electric Corporation constructed the project.

Dominion received word from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that the agency will issue its environmental assessment for the Dominion Cove Point LNG liquefaction and export project on May 15. The proposed export facility will be within the 131-acre footprint of the LNG import facility. No new pipelines, storage tanks or piers are needed at the facility. The company needs about 50 permits and approvals before construction can begin.

Canadian Solar opened the new Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre to focus on microgrid solution testing, system solution design and smart grid assessment services. The Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre, partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, will be located in Guelph, Ontario and will work with its collaborators to provide shareable services for utilities, universities and colleges, communities, and companies that engage in the development of microgrid solutions.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) broke ground on a regional operations center in Little Rock, Ark. This action marks the next phase of the integration of the four-state electric grid spanning the southern region into MISO. Similar to the company's North Region Operations Center, the facility in Little Rock will serve as the command center for MISO's newly established South Region. MISO expects to spend $22 million on its new facility in West Little Rock. The building is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

NRG Energy entered into agreements with Dominion Resources to acquire its retail electric business. Once completed, the acquisition will support NRG's ongoing efforts to expand the company's retail footprint in the Northeast and to grow its retail position in Texas.The transaction closed at the end of March.

DTE Energy Services (DTEES) finished its construction project to convert a shuttered coal-fired power plant at the Port of Stockton to operate on biomass fuel. The plant, known as Stockton Biomass, began commercial operations on Feb. 21. It is selling its renewable power to PG&E. The plant will use about 320,000 tons of woody biomass fuel annually to generate about 45 MW of power. The fuel primarily is derived from urban wood waste, tree trimmings and agricultural processes.