LINKS: China's Wanxiang Wins U.S. Taxpayer Funded A123
China's Wanxiang Wins Auction For U.S. Taxpayer Funded A123
US Officials Might Block Secretive Chinese Company In A123 Purchase
Republican Lawmakers Question A123 Sale to China's Wanxiang Group
A123′s China Sale Has Some Crossing Fingers For Intervention - WSJ Blog
UPDATE - DOE Announces They Will NOT Give A123 Rest of $250 Million - Reuters
BACKGROUND - How Taxpayers Lost Big On Fisker Karma And A123
Blame the Victim
Fire at Hawaii Wind Farm Blamed on Fire Department Response
"Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig was quick to counter Gotcher's assertion that firefighters failed to act in the best interest of the wind farm. He said the flames, toxic chemicals and unstable nature of the burning warehouse made it unsafe to use water, and deploying hand-held extinguishers was nearly impossible.
"It was a bigger fire than you'd be able to control with any small extinguisher," Seelig told reporters. "The fire was well developed by the time we got there."
Firefighters responded to the blaze in 14 minutes, but were told by a representative of First Wind that based on two earlier fires, the flames were likely to die down on their own. Instead, the fire burned for more than seven hours and completely destroyed the warehouse, knocking the 30-megawatt wind farm offline."
GE Taps Xtreme Power for Battery Controls
Discussion of Safety
Wind Power Systems Safety (document)
NFPA 850 Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants
Wind turbine collapse (news report)
Wind turbine self destructs (video)
Substation transformer explosion (video)
Other News
Carbon Disclosure Project at Clinton Global Initiative Conference (interview)
Clinton and Obama at the links
BUSTED: Police raid investment scams for worthless carbon credits
DOHA: Carbon deal could adds hundreds of pounds to energy bills
After climate talks, eyes on US for next round
IEA: China new green energy frontier
Renewable energy costlier in India than US, Europe
EPA Sourghum ruling as renewable fuel
Where It All Started
UPC/First Wind, GE, China And The White Houe (Must Read)
Read Last Week's Green Corruption Stories...
Dec 10, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Reader Comments (29)
The one link related to the hawaii wind fire went to a dead page on my site. That's why I removed it. It was the link where you wrote the commentary 'I agree with the fire chief.'
So if you want to find that story and post it here in comments I will add it to the post.
Interesting article on sourgum, unfortunately the best viable option for alcohol is still hemp.
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/wow-how-to-make-gasoline-out-of-thin-air-LP4MEip0Sr~z_zMARj2ayQ.html
It's not cheap. $500k per gallon.
http://www.rechargenews.com/business_area/innovation/article319427.ece
Now I feel better.
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=98562707
More:
http://www.upcrenewables.com/ph/contentpage.php?workplaceID=9
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/12/10/176938/californias-power-plant-fight.html
[snip]
It sounds like a bit of leftover mischief from the energy crisis: an electricity trader from Houston accused of hobbling California's power supply, leading to possible blackouts.
State officials say JPMorgan Chase & Co. is blocking a critically needed power plant renovation in Huntington Beach. The California Independent System Operator, which runs the transmission grid, has asked federal regulators to step in, warning that blackouts could hit Southern California during air-conditioning season next summer if nothing is done.
The dispute is a legacy of California's disastrous deregulation scheme of the 1990s, when the big utilities were ordered to sell most of their plants.
Consequently, California's electricity supply is largely controlled by a legion of independent generators and traders.
True, regulation is stricter than it was during the energy crisis of the early 2000s, Enron's rogue traders are out of business, and the once-chaotic energy markets are mostly quiet. But California doesn't completely control its energy destiny, turning the clock back is impossible – and the potential for disruption endures.
"What you have to confront is, we don't own these power plants anymore," said UC Davis economist Jim Bushnell, who advises the ISO. "If we want to re-regulate, we'd have to buy them back."
The state's conflict with JPMorgan drives home the absurdity of the situation. The plants in question were once operated by Southern California Edison, the region's hometown utility. They're now run by AES Corp., an independent power generator from Arlington, Va.
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Looks like I need to start another Links page...
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/green-energy-gets-the-blues-tough-times-ahead-tfTrRVg8SzeTcPiBjLT5PQ.html
You might want to watch this clip, John. From today on Bloomberg.
Here's a couple more.
Solar Stocks Are Soaring After China Announces New Subsidies
http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-stocks-china-subsidies-2012-12#ixzz2EvF1bQay
http://www.businessinsider.com/people-are-losing-hope-for-green-energy-2012-11?op=1#ixzz2EvFGnzyR
You will enjoy this one.
I am thoroughly enjoying this and can't for Barb's next edition.
http://www.tradeaidmonitor.com/2012/12/obama-to-help-thriving-fracking-industry-set-up-shop-in-china.html
Steve Peacock has an energy page: http://www.tradeaidmonitor.com/energy/
and a China one: http://www.tradeaidmonitor.com/china/
I would like to see what he could dig up on UPC Renewables (First Wind) on both the foreign aid aspect and Brian Caffyn re: China Canada and elsewhere.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/20/us-iraq-energy-china-idUSBRE8BJ0ZH20121220
[snip]
U.S. oil major Exxon (XOM.N) is giving up its stake in the giant southern oilfield after clashing with the central government in Baghdad over exploration contracts it had signed with the autonomous Kurdistan region in the north.
Iraqi and Chinese sources said CNPC unit Petrochina (0857.HK) (601857.SS) is negotiating for Exxon's 60 percent in the $50 billion West Qurna-1 project and that there are rival bidders. Royal Dutch Shell is a minority partner.
"CNPC has shown interest; they are there. And from our side, there is no problem with them taking on a bigger position. We are not sensitive about this," a senior Iraqi official said.
"These are service contracts, not production-sharing contracts (which give companies an ownership stake), so it doesn't matter if they have 10 fields or one."
For energy-hungry China, a major buyer of Iraqi crude, access to reserves is a strategic imperative, and Beijing is prepared to accept tougher terms and lower profits than Western oil majors and even Russian firms such as Lukoil (LKOH.MM), which have to answer to shareholders.
Here is something I am seriously looking into...
http://www.zjubiolab.zju.edu.cn/wumin/userfiles/lab-paper/000039-20090930091958.pdf
http://www.globalwarming.org/2012/12/11/where-does-exxonmobil-stand-on-carbon-taxes/
[snip]
But articles published today in FuelFix and The Hill contend that ExxonMobil “does not support” a carbon tax and is “not encouraging policymakers” to impose such a tax. Both articles quote ExxonMobil VP for public affairs and government relations Ken Cohen:
If policymakers are going to adopt a measure, a regime to affect or put in place a cost on the use of carbon across the economy, then as we look at the range of options, our economists and most economists would support a revenue-neutral, economy-wide carbon tax as the most transparent and efficient way of putting in place a cost on the use of carbon.
Not supporting and not encouraging is not the same as opposing. Indeed, not opposing while saying But if you’re gonna do it, do it like this! can be a low-profile way to support and encourage! Also, why say anything favorable about carbon taxes when cap-and-trade is dead and there’s no longer even a weak prudential case for supporting carbon taxes as the lesser evil?
I am working on something where carbon sequestration comes into play....Stay tuned
john
I will post a link to a very recent study PDF for everyone. I just wanted to show the one from China as that is important.
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~wildensd/Papers/MEOR_TIPM_2012.pdf
A123 Systems will provide lithium-ion battery technology for aviation applications
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/06/27/systems-will-provide-lithium-ion-battery-technology-for-aviation-applications/2vvEN0gXZF4IX2cp7E4NFL/story.html
[snip]
Mid-Continent Instrument Co. said Wednesday that it has signed a distribution and supply agreement with Waltham battery maker A123 Systems Inc. under which Mid-Continent will offer A123’s advanced Nanophosphate lithium-ion battery technology for aviation applications.
With operations in Kansas, Mid-Continent manufactures and repairs aircraft instruments, avionics, and power solutions for the general aviation industry.
In a statement, Robert Johnson, vice president of the Energy Solutions Group at A123 Systems, said, “We expect that Mid-Continent’s extensive aviation expertise and its impressive customer portfolio will enable us to capitalize on the rapidly growing market for advanced lithium-ion battery technology for emergency power supplies, starter batteries, and other aviation applications.”
A123 could use a lift. In March, the company said it would spend $55 million to fix a defect in some components it produces for car batteries, another setback to a company that recently had millions of dollars in orders canceled by one of its biggest customers.
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MID-CONTINENT INSTRUMENTS RECEIVES AML STC FOR FIRST LITHIUM EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY
http://www.truebluepowerusa.com/news-room/mid-continent-instruments-receives-aml-stc/
A123, Japan's IHI form $25M battery tech licensing deal
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2011/11/a123-japans-ihi-form-25m-battery-tech.html
[snip]
Waltham battery maker A123 Systems Inc. has formed a licensing partnership with Japanese industrial equipment manufacturer IHI Corp., which will make IHI the sole provider of A123 battery systems in Japan’s transportation market. The deal will bring a $25 million payment from IHI to A123, the companies reported in a news release Monday.
The licensing deal is expected to support IHI’s goal of using A123’s battery systems and modules to in manufacturing electric vehicles. The two companies also have a product supply agreement that makes A123 the exclusive provider of lithium ion battery cells to IHI for both transportation and non-transportation plans.
Now with that in mind, Boeing was using IHI for their power systems...
http://www.wcarn.com/cache/news/21/21618.html
albeit a fuel cell isn't exactly a battery, it performs the same function providing electricity.
I am not trying to start a conspiracy theory here, the media reported that Yausa made the battery in question regarding the recent Boeing incident (and would like to know who made the charging system). Another question I have is if the Chinese company, Wanxiang, was able to continue the agreement made between A-123 and IHI,
My main interest here is finding how taxpayer money was spent regarding A-123.
OBAMA ADMIN APPROVES SALE OF SENSITIVE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA
http://www.humanevents.com/2013/01/29/obama-admin-approves-sale-of-sensitive-military-technology-to-china/
[snip]
A Chinese company will take charge of sensitive military and battery technology following the Treasury Department’s decision on Tuesday to permit the sale of a U.S. company that was bankrolled with tax dollars to the Shanghai-based Wanxiang firm.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved the $256 million sale of A123 Systems’ operation, despite warnings from military insiders and lawmakers on Capitol Hill that the sale presents a danger to national security.
A123 Systems, which went bankrupt despite the Obama administrations’ $249 million in green energy funding to produce advanced lithium ion batteries, controls 91 patents for the sensitive technology.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/282527-us-clears-big-chinese-oil-deal
[snip]
United States officials have signed off on Chinese oil giant CNOOC’s $15.1 billion purchase of the Canadian oil company Nexen, a deal that triggered U.S. review because Nexen has oil-and-gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico.
Nexen announced Tuesday that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has approved the transaction, and that the deal “now has all of the requisite approvals to proceed to close.”
CFIUS is a Treasury Department-led interagency panel that reviews foreign purchases of U.S. assets if the transactions could affect national security. The panel’s review had earlier delayed completion of the sale.
Nexen is a multinational company active in Canada’s oil sands, off West Africa’s coast and elsewhere.
Fisker fields $20 million offer from Bob Lutz, Wanxiang: sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/22/us-autos-fisker-sale-idUSBRE94L13M20130522
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/07/us-usa-china-idUSBRE9560B120130607
Sale of Michigan company to China may haunt Clinton
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/06/05/clinton-sale-michigan-china-gop/28525387/
WASHINGTON – National Republican Party officials are questioning why Hillary Rodham Clinton did not intervene in the controversial 2013 sale of high-tech battery plants in Michigan to a Chinese firm when she was secretary of State and could have done so.
At a campaign stop in New Hampshire last month, Clinton, the leading Democratic candidate for president, expressed concerns about the sale of A123 Systems — built with millions in government aid — along with those of other new energy firms, to Chinese investors, calling them "unfortunate" and a "serious" problem for high-tech industries in the U.S.
"That does concern me because a lot of foreign companies, particularly Chinese companies ... are looking to buy American companies," she said in response to an entrepreneur who mentioned A123's sale while commenting that venture capital for new energy technology has largely fled overseas.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, in a statement to the Free Press, called Clinton's remarks "lip service" considering that as the former secretary of state, her department had a "role in signing off on these sales," including A123's to Wanxiang in early 2013.