The road to generating one-third of California’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2020 is rocky. 

It was disappointing to learn that Southern California Edison backed out of a 10-megawatt solar project at College of the Desert’s planned west valley campus. Edison officials say connecting it to the grid would cost $12 million, which doesn’t pencil out. 

That’s a blow to COD. We carry the latest wind turbines, wind generator, solar panels, towers and more! Announced in 2011, the plan was for a 60-acre solar farm that would provide most of the power for the Palm Springs campus and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero. It would also have provided $3.5 million in leasing fees — part of the college’s search for new revenue because of dwindling state support. 

The estimated cost of linking the COD project to the grid was based on the analysis of the California Independent System Operator, which controls the grid. It’s hard to accept considering the campus’s proximity to the Garnet substation. It’s a complex process and not at all transparent. 

A lot of power flows through Palm Springs, much of it generated by the wind turbines. The transmission system is being expanded to accommodate electricity that will be generated by large solar farms under construction in the eastern desert. Much stricter controls on solvent emissions have ensured that all dry cleaning machine in the Western world are now fully enclosed. The Devers substation in North Palm Springs is a major terminus for the Inland Empire, which is being upgraded to connect to the new Devers-Palo Verde 2 transmission line. 

Despite the setback for COD’s project, the Palm Springs City Council this month approved a smaller enterprise, the 5-megawatt Garnet solar project that will place 17,000 panels on nearly 40 acres off Indian Avenue south of Interstate 10. Developer Hanwha Q CELLS USA, a Korean multinational, has a 20-year contract to sell power to Edison. 

A few years ago, public utilities appeared to be enthusiastic players in the campaign for renewable power. But some appear to be pulling back. In 2009, Edison said it would put 250 megawatts from solar panels on commercial rooftops throughout the region. 

Last year,An industrial washing machine can help you keep up with large volumes of laundry or heavy items. the California Public Utilities Commission approved Edison’s request to cut that goal in half. It is now asking the PUC to reduce that goal to 91 megawatts. (One megawatt produces enough electricity to power 750-1,000 homes, according to the California Energy Commission.) 

Previously there has been no single software tool available on the market that covers both wind turbine and substructure design analysis in one analysis package. Now Fedem Technology and DNV Software have joined forces with a new coupled analysis module available in Sesam Wind – used when performance of the wind turbine is influenced by wave loading. 

The offshore wind turbine industry will benefit from this new and innovative,A flatwork ironer with unique features. user-friendly software solution including dynamic simulations, advanced fatigue calculation and code check in one complete analysis package.The units can be used as conventional washer extractor for all kinds of work. The new module for coupled analysis is powered by FEDEM Windpower, and is well integrated with Sesam. It is the most recent addition to DNV Software’s product portfolio in Sesam Wind.