Energy

The University of Kentucky broke ground in November of 2010 on a 36,000-sf expansion of the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) in Lexington. The $19.8 million facility is located in the Spindletop Research Park and is supported by $11.8 million in federal stimulus funding. The expansion will support research into biofuels, biomass, wind, and solar energy. The adjacent Kentucky Argonne Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center will also conduct research at the center. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the expansion.

Clemson University broke ground on a $98 million wind turbine research facility in November of 2010. Located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston, S.C., the project involves renovation of a former Navy warehouse facility to support accelerated testing of advanced drive-train systems for wind turbines. The project is supported by a $45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and $53 million in matching funds. Occupancy is expected by 2012.

FM:Systems, a leading provider of integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and facility management software, announced in October of 2010 the availability of FM:Interact’s direct integration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® energy performance rating system. The direct integration allows FM:Interact to seamlessly deliver ENERGY STAR performance ratings, the most widely used benchmark for energy use in commercial buildings.

BASF broke ground in October of 2010 on a $50 million manufacturing plant in Elyria, Ohio. The facility will produce advanced cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The plant is expected to be fully operational in 2012. The project is supported by $24.6 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Oregon Freeze Dry broke ground on a manufacturing facility in Albany, Ore., in September of 2010. Supported by $21.3 million in federal stimulus funding, the $29 million project will support production of materials for ultracapacitors. Completion is expected in spring of 2012.

Enerkem broke ground on a cellulosic ethanol waste-to-fuel facility on August 31, 2010. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the $80 million facility is created in partnership with the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta. The plant will produce 10 MMgy of cellulosic ethanol, enough to fuel more than 400,000 vehicles annually with E5. The project will also include a research facility for the study of biomass, biofuels, and biochemicals. Completion is expected in 2011.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture broke ground on the second phase of construction at the ARS Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in August of 2010 in Hilo, Hawaii. Phase 2 will support research on exotic tropical crops, alternative energy sources, and sustainable agriculture with additional offices, screen houses, and head houses.

The University of New South Wales broke ground in August of 2010 on the $125 million Tyree Energy Technologies Building in Sydney, Australia. The facility will support research in photovoltaics, carbon capture and storage, oil and gas reserves, nanomaterials, energy policy, and market analysis. Accommodating 300 engineering students and 100 staff members, the sustainably-designed building will include a roof-mounted solar panel array and a gas-fired tri-generation plant for power, heating, and cooling.

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Ameren Energy Resources Company, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Air Liquide to negotiate the installation of the world's first full-scale oxy-coal-fired power plant near Jacksonville, Ill. Featuring permanent carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), the FutureGen 2.0 project includes construction and operation of a 200-megawatt, near-zero emissions generating facility at Ameren's Meredosia campus.

Solexant Corp. will develop a $108 million photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Gresham, Ore. The facility will be housed in an existing 125,000-sf building and will produce ultra-thin film with nanocrystal technology. Production will begin in 2011.

Michigan State University opened the Anaerobic Digester Research and Education Center in July of 2010 in East Lansing. The 6,000-sf facility will support the development of anaerobic digestion systems for small farms to convert animal manure to energy. Consolidating four laboratories previously housed in other locations, the ADREC houses research space, conference rooms, offices, and a high bay area for pilot-scale projects. Construction began on the facility in September of 2009.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has completed construction of the $64 million Research Support Facility in Golden, Colo. The 222,000-sf facility will house 800 employees when it opens in August of 2010. Ground was broken on the project in May of 2009. LEED Platinum sustainable design certification will be sought for the zero-energy office building, which features passive heating and ventilation, daylighting, and recycled materials.

The U.S. Department of Energy will break ground in August of 2010 on the $66.8 million Interdisciplinary Science Building at Brookhaven National Lab in Upton, N.Y. The two-story facility will support research on renewable energy and nanomaterials and is supported by $18.6 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. General contractor E.W. Howell of Plainview, N.Y., will begin construction on the facility in September of 2010.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S will open a 48,000-sf research and development office in Louisville, Colo. The Technology R&D Centre will initially house 100 employees. Vestas is a manufacturer of wind turbine blades based in Randers, Denmark.

The University of Nottingham began construction in July of 2010 on the £26 million Bioenergy Centre in the United Kingdom. Designed by maber, the facility will house the Food and Biofuel Innovation Centre, the Centre for Brewing Technology and Innovation, and one of six Sustainable Bioenergy Centre research programs. The 3,100-sm building will feature laboratories, pilot production suites, and facilities for incubation, testing, and demonstration. Completion is expected in March of 2011.