Tradeline, Inc. filters and categorizes new-construction and industry news from regional and professional journals across the country. Here you will find new projects, products, and regulatory updates.
Industry News
Johnson Controls Partners with Saft on Automotive Battery Plant
Johnson Controls is partnering with French manufacturer Saft to construct an advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in Holland, Mich. Supported by $299.2 million in stimulus funding from the Department of Energy, the 127,000-sf facility will feature cleanrooms for next-generation automotive battery manufacturing. Production of battery assemblies for electric and hybrid vehicles will begin in fall of 2010 with full production capacity expected by 2013.
University of New South Wales Breaks Ground on Energy Technologies Building
The University of New South Wales broke ground in December of 2009 on the $125 million Tyree Energy Technologies Building (TETB) in Sydney, Australia. The facility will support teaching and research in energy policy, market analysis, photovoltaics, nanomaterials, carbon capture and storage, and oil and gas reserves. The sustainably designed building will accommodate 300 engineering students and is slated for completion in 2012.
HelioSphera Plans Philadelphia Manufacturing Plant
HelioSphera US is planning to construct a $500 million solar panel manufacturing plant in Philadelphia. Sited on 40 acres at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the 500,000-sf facility will feature a 60,000-sf cleanroom. HelioSphera US is a subsidiary of HelioSphera, a maker of thin-film photovoltaic modules based in Athens, Greece.
Massachusetts Wind Technology Testing Center Breaks Ground in Boston
Ground was broken in December of 2009 on the Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) in Boston. Operated in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the facility will be the first in the nation capable of testing blades up to 90 meters long. The research and development center will support testing of commercial wind turbine blades to improve design and reduce cost. The project is supported by $25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as $28.5 million in additional funding.
NETL Builds Morgantown Testing Lab
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will construct a testing lab in Morgantown, W.V. Supported by $14 million in stimulus funding, the 35,000-sf Performance Verification Laboratory will accommodate the testing of appliances to determine if they meet Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standards. Featuring controlled environments with consistent room temperatures, the Morgantown facility will be one of eight new research and testing facilities nationwide. Laboratory planning will commence in December of 2009 with completion expected by September of 2013.