Latest news with #EDFRenewables
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
6 eco-friendly sports stadium innovations
With concern about the state of the environment growing, many major global centers are doing their part to achieve sustainability. That includes sports stadiums both in the United States and abroad, with owners using eco-friendly innovations to limit their venues' environmental impact. The change is evident in stadiums used for everything from football to soccer to track and field. In 2008, Nationals Park, home of the Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals, became the first stadium in the country to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. It redirected 83% of its construction waste from landfills and incorporated energy-efficient floodlighting in the venue. Advertisement Incredible, ever-increasing sustainability initiatives are happening across the sports world, and you can expect more old and new stadiums to incorporate green innovations as the environmental drive gathers even more momentum. Here are some that have already happened. Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, Nevada Photo: David Lusvardi / Unsplash Super Bowl LVIII, hosted on February 11, 2024, by Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, made history as the first major sporting event exclusively powered by renewable energy. The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers required 28 MWh of electricity, with Nevada's EDF Renewables solar-plus-storage project entirely meeting the energy demands. Nevada's many sunny days certainly help with this stadium innovation. Stade de France — Paris, France Photo: Zakarie Faibis / Wikimedia Commons Stade de France in Paris became the latest stadium to use Mondo's MONDOTRACK Ellipse Impulse track technology for its athletic surface at the 2024 Olympic Games. Mondo first installed an Olympic Games athletic surface in Montreal back in 1976, but the new formula includes up to 50% of renewable or recycled ingredients by weight, with low-carbon processes and the use of renewable energy. These innovative applications earned Mondo UL Greenguard Gold and TÜV Austria certifications. Johan Cruyff Arena — Amsterdam, Netherlands Photo: Winston Tjia / Unsplash The Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, home to Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax, has over 4,200 solar panels, a wind turbine and energy-generating escalators to assist in powering the stadium. Even more remarkable is the giant battery that includes 148 electric car batteries providing 2.8 MWh capacity — the largest European energy storage system housed commercially. Climate Pledge Arena — Seattle, Washington Photo: Sea Cow / Wikimedia Commons In a landmark move, Climate Pledge Arena developers reduced construction-related carbon emissions substantially by retaining some of the original Seattle Key Arena building and the whole 1962 roof as part of the original Seattle Center Coliseum. This innovation, as well as rainwater collected from the roof and transformed into ice for the resident NHL franchise, the Seattle Krakens, made it the first zero-carbon-certified arena worldwide. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London, England Photo: Omri Yamin / Unsplash Sometimes, smaller stadium innovations make substantial differences. The EPL's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London has bought into the UN Race to Zero campaign to become carbon-free by 2040. If you visit the stadium, you'll receive a multi-use beer cup and buy food sourced within a 60-mile radius. Single-use plastic bottles are banned in the stadium, and there are ponds, bug hotels, and a wildlife meadow, helping to make Tottenham Hotspur the Premier League's most sustainable club. Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia Photo: Chrishaun Byrom / Unsplash Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the National Football League's Falcons, is a trailblazer in energy efficiency and renewables. It became the first professional sports stadium to achieve every credit in the Leadership in Energy Efficiency water efficiency category. Its innovative water conservation programs include a rainwater cistern that holds 680,000 gallons, high-efficiency toilets, waterless urinals, and landscape features that help collect, clean and convey stormwater. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed Olmsted County solar project could end resident's rural dream
May 20—VIOLA TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Clint Mulholland had a dream. When he was 5, he and his father were watering their sheep kept at the farm of their neighbor and friend, "Uncle" Bill Brennan. Mulholland, who loved Uncle Bill's farm, told Brennan, "I'm going to buy this from you someday." So, in 2009 when Brennan, unable to continue living alone at the house in rural Viola Township, called Mulholland — then 24 — and told him he'd sell Mulholland the house, the two men came to an agreement, part of which consisted of Brennan extracting a promise from his young friend that he never sell the place. "What I did from '09 to now, Bill would be proud of," Mulholland said. He tore down old out buildings, renovated the main house and added a large pole barn as a garage and for storage. Each morning he wakes up, Mulholland said, to beautiful sunrises, and each night he's treated to beautiful sunsets. Now 40, Mulholland isn't sure he can keep that promise he made to Uncle Bill. "I'll be surrounded on all four sides," Mulholland said. That is if Ranger Power, a Chicago-based renewable energy company, makes good on its plans to build a 1,800-acre solar farm that would cover farmland in Haverhill and Viola townships, northeast of Rochester in Olmsted County. The project, dubbed Lemon Hill Solar, would cover 1,800 acres daisy-chained across Viola and Haverhill townships in eastern Olmsted County. The solar farm would have a capacity, said Sergio Trevino, vice president of Ranger Power LLC, of 180 megawatts. This is not the company's first venture into utility-scale solar projects. And this project rivals the largest in Southeast Minnesota. Trevino said Ranger Power has developed several operational solar projects throughout the Midwest, and several other projects are in development, listing existing projects in Michigan and Illinois. This project, if completed, would be second in capacity — but larger in land area coverage — to the Byron Solar project that is slated to begin construction sometime this year. That project, located mainly in Canisteo Township in Dodge County, will cover nearly 1,500 acres with a capacity of 200 megawatts. The Byron Solar project is being developed by EDF Renewables. Trevino said about 14 landowners have voluntarily agreed to participate in the project. He cited proximity to transmission lines as one of the factors in choosing the location. "The project will be designed to minimize impacts," Trevino said, adding that state and federal environmental requirements as well as water flow concerns will be addressed. "The Minnesota Department of Commerce's Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) office will conduct a detailed review of all project impacts. The project will also obtain required local permits not covered by the Department of Commerce Site Permit, such as driveway and stormwater permits." He said solar panels have a long history of safe usage in the United States, and that Lemon Hill Solar would include "vegetative cover planted for the solar project (that) will produce nutrient-dense topsoil and help increase biodiversity throughout the project area, the project will use little to no water during operation, and the project will not produce harmful air or water pollution." A letter from Ranger Power adds that the project will add $33 million in new tax revenue over the potential 40-year lifespan of the project. That equals about $825,000 in taxes a year split between state, county, township and local school districts. The project will be presented to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) later this summer, Trevino said, with the hope of beginning construction in 2027 and becoming operational in 2028. Not everyone is buying Ranger Power's claims of a safe and tranquil solar farm in their backyards. At a May 2 meeting organized by Mulholland's mother, Joni Mulholland, at the Viola Town Hall, dozens of people — among a crowd of nearly 80 — spoke against the project. Bill Smith, who has lived in Haverhill Township for 39 years, talked about how when he wanted to build hog barns on his land, he needed to go through several public hearings in the township. The same was true when he wanted to build a modular home on his property. Mullholland said when he built his pole barn garage at his property, there were multiple meetings at the township and county level before the permit was approved. "I hear, 'It's my property, I can do what I want with it.'" Smith said, referring to the response he hears from people who have joined the project. "Can I cover my property with storage units? How can this be on ag-zoned land?" Smith asked the crowd — which included state Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, and state Rep. Steve Jacob, R-Altura — if there was a way to change the zoning laws to have more local control. That, Drazkowski said, is exactly what he tried to do with an amendment to the Omnibus, Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate bill, adding language saying, "A county may adopt, by ordinance, standards for large wind energy conversion systems and solar energy generating systems that are more stringent than standards in commission rules or in the commission's permit standards." The amendment went on to add that the PUC "shall consider and apply those more stringent standards, unless the commission finds good cause not to apply the standards." That amendment was voted down on May 12 along party lines with one Republican joining the DFL. Jacob said the DFL's rush to approve solar projects is tied to the state's goal to be 100% wind- and solar-powered by 2040. Any amendments in the Legislature offered by Republicans — allowing for local regulations and input, forbidding purchase of components from places where child or slave labor is used — were all voted down on party lines. Smith — echoing Drazkowski — noted that all other land-use decisions are handled at the county and township level. Only solar farms are approved without county or township permits needed. "Property rights are a good foundational freedom," Drazkowski said. "I support that very very much. But property rights only extend as far as you interfere in someone else's property." Mulholland said while he thinks solar power can be a vital part of energy production, Ranger Power and his neighbors are boxing him in, meaning his property rights are, indeed, being interfered with. He listed off a litany of interference. During construction, he and his neighbors will have to listen to nonstop pounding as thousands of solar panel supports are driven into the ground. Traffic during construction will tie up the rural roads of the townships, particularly Viola Road/Olmsted County Road 2. Then there's the damage to the topsoil of productive agricultural land. Leveling of land for a substation and for fields of solar panels could lead to soil erosion and an inability to re-convert the land for agricultural uses due to a loss of topsoil and potential leeching of hazardous chemicals from the solar panels over time, Smith said. The project would mean the loss of field waterways, tile lines and topsoil. Mulholland pointed out that the double-substation for the project — according to the current map from Ranger Power — would be built just a stone's throw from his home. He'd like to see the substation built at least a half-mile from his home. But that is only part of the problem. The land where he lives — and neighboring land, which would be covered with solar panels — is the headwaters of the Whitewater River, a certified trout stream that also leads directly into the Mississippi River. If he were to break his promise to Uncle Bill and sell the property — something he hopes not to have to do — Mulholland wonders just how much he would get for his investment. He speculated that property values, especially with him being surrounded on all sides by solar infrastructure, would drop 30% or more. At the May 2 meeting, Smith asked the crowd, "Who here would like to buy a house next to a solar farm? Probably no one." A show of hands indicated he was correct. Jennifer Lawver, who lives on Viola Road, said if the project is approved, she'll immediately put her property up for sale at a 10% discount to try to move before the solar panels go up. And while the developer has found willing landowners to participate, Mulholland said only one of the 14 who has signed on has a home within sight of where solar panels will go up. For some, he said, the money being offered is too good. But Mulholland worries about his quality of life if he stays with the substation just yards away, humming behind tall fences. "I won't have any wildlife access," he said. "My 5 acres will never have deer on it again."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concerns raised over Springwell solar farm plans
People living near a proposed solar farm in Lincolnshire have been giving their views at a public for the Springwell solar farm in North Kesteven have been under scrutiny by government-appointed planning site near Navenby would eventually cover an area the size of 2,800 football EDF Renewables UK and Luminous Energy said it would power 180,000 homes and help the transition to renewable energy. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the plans have attracted of local people attended the hearings at the County Assembly Rooms in Williams, who leads the Springwell Solar Farm Action Group, told LDRS: "The community is so concerned about this. "We usually get two or three people at parish council meetings. Whenever this is on the agenda, 70 or 80 will turn up."Everyone's against it, apart from those who will profit."Conservative councillor Rob Kendrick told the planning inspectors: "The amount of developments are of grave concern to residents."Lincolnshire is marketed as the county of big skies, but it will become the county of big solar. That must have a negative impact on lives and employment." Representatives for the applicant told the inspectors that the large scale was necessary to make it commercially land is owned by the Blankney Estate and the project designs had intentionally avoided Grade One farmland, they a statement, project development manager Rory Carmichael said the firm had made changes to the plans "following extensive consultation and engagement with the community". "During this six-month examination, members of the public can share their views on our updated proposals directly to the Planning Inspectorate in writing, and at public hearings like the ones held this week."We encourage everyone local to the project to have their say."The planning inspectorate will make a recommendation to the government, which is expected to make a final decision by spring to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Axpo to buy electricity from solar plants in Greece
Swiss-based international energy company Axpo has agreed to acquire electricity from two solar power plants in Greece. The plants have a combined installed capacity of 102MW. The short-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with EDF Renewables Hellas involves energy generated from two solar farms in the Viotia region. The facilities, Skala Korinis and Loutsa, were built in 2023. EDF Renewables Hellas is developing a renewable energy portfolio in Greece with a projected capacity of 4.5GW. The company operates through local subsidiaries. It also draws on the global expertise of EDF Renewables in renewable electricity technologies and energy transition efforts. Axpo manages a total renewable energy portfolio of 93 terawatt hours. The company has a presence in several European energy markets. Axpo Greece managing director Vasilis Machias stated: 'This agreement reinforces Axpo's ability to provide innovative and tailored renewable energy solutions across central and southeastern Europe. 'By leveraging our expertise as an international market leader in renewables, wholesale trading and risk management, we're further optimising our portfolio in the region, while also supporting the energy transition.' In Greece, Axpo applies local market knowledge alongside wider group capabilities to support activities across the electricity sector. EDF Renewables Hellas CEO Antonis Xenios stated: "We are thrilled about our partnership with Axpo and the opportunities it presents. 'This collaboration reinforces EDF Renewables' dedication to maximise the potential of renewable energy and accelerate the energy transition, contributing to the decarbonisation of the Greek economy.' In early 2025, Axpo Nordic, part of Axpo Group, entered a long-term PPA with Finnish renewable energy investor and producer Exilion Tuuli Ky. "Axpo to buy electricity from solar plants in Greece" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EDF's Desert Quartzite solar and storage in California secures funding
EDF Renewables North America, a subsidiary of EDF Renewables, has announced the successful closure of financing for the Desert Quartzite solar plus storage project in California, US. The project, co-owned with Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Inc, began supplying electricity in December 2024. The project's long-term debt financing was provided by KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, the Korea Development Bank and four other participating banks. This financing is the first project leverage application in the US for EDF Renewables in more than ten years. Located in Riverside County, California, the Desert Quartzite solar plus storage project has a total capacity of 375 megawatts defined conditions (MWdc) for solar generation, combined with a 150 megawatts alternating current (MWac)/four-hour battery energy storage system (BESS). In August 2024, Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure (PSEI), a branch of Power Sustainable, finalised the first phase of its strategic investment in the project. The investment was carried out in partnership with Potentia Renewables, PSEI's integrated developer and asset manager. The electricity generated by the project is supplied to the Clean Power Alliance, serving 35 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in September 2021. EDF Renewables North America entered a 20-year PPA with Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in September 2024. This agreement involves the supply of clean energy from its 300MW Milligan 1 Wind project in Nebraska, which has been operational since 2021. EDF Renewables North America's portfolio currently comprises 23GW of completed projects and 16GW under service agreements. "EDF's Desert Quartzite solar and storage in California secures funding" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
