Industry News

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.