Large Build-Outs of HVDC Transmission Systems Will Help Integrate Renewable Energy on the Power Grid, According to Pike Research

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BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utilities, grid operators, and governments worldwide are engaged in massive programs to build new electricity infrastructure to meet increasing demand to support economic growth. The transmission systems necessary to support this growth have been a mix of high-voltage direct current (HVDC), limited to long-distance point-to-point bulk power transmission, and traditional high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission lines. Today, new developments in HVDC conversion technologies are expanding the range of HVDC applications to include shorter, multi-terminal applications and ones aimed at integrating renewable energy assets into the power grid. According to a recent report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, worldwide cumulative spending for HVDC systems between 2012 and 2020 will be between $110 billion and $120 billion.

“The sheer number and scale of planned HVDC system build-outs is impressive,” says research director Carol Stimmel. “While some argue that very large HVAC systems built within grid networks can satisfy new demand, many believe that the future belongs to HVDC overlays that interconnect very large grid systems and ultimately enormous regions on a global scale. Over two-thirds of new large-scale transmission planned or under construction are HVDC systems.”

HVDC technology facilitates the integration of renewable energy generation sources by keeping potential harmonic and frequency distortions from entering the AC grid network. While the scale and expense of HVDC build-outs over the remainder of this decade is sure to be immense, the distinction between “planned” and “probable” HVDC systems, however, is sharp. The number of announced public systems slated for commissioning between 2012 and 2020 is nearly 100, at a cost of a little more than $217 billion. That forecast, based on the officially announced budgets and schedules for HVDC systems, overstates the likely outcomes by nearly a factor of two, according to the report.

The report, “High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission Systems”, provides a comprehensive analysis of the global market opportunity for HVDC transmission systems. The study examines key market drivers and barriers by world region, policy and regulatory issues, economics of transmission system construction and operations, HVDC technology issues, profiles of key industry players, and a comprehensive database of HVDC systems planned and under construction. Market forecasts for HVDC systems and spending are provided through 2020, with segmentation by world region, and including a probabilistic analysis of the likelihood of various investment levels during the forecast period. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

About Pike Research

Pike Research, which joined Navigant’s global Energy Practice on July 1, 2012, provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Pike Research can be found at www.navigant.com/pikeresearch.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

Carbo Analytics Receives Outstanding Venture Award at NREL’s Industry Growth Forum

FORT COLLINS, CO (Rocky Mountain Innosphere) – Carbo Analytics, LLC was awarded the “Outstanding Venture 2012” this week at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 25th Industry Growth Forum, Denver, CO, Oct. 23rd & 24th.

There were 30 competitively-selected presenters at the two-day forum, but only three of those companies were chosen to win awards. “Nationally, this is the highest profile startup company forum in the clean energy space. Just having the opportunity to present was an honor, but receiving the award provides evidence investors believe we are building a solid company with the proper focus.” said Dale Willard, founder and president of Carbo Analytics.

Carbo Analytics licenses a Colorado State University lab-on-a-chip technology that makes sugar analysis simple and fast for sugar related-industries. “We’re pleased that Carbo Analytics has been recognized at this forum – in front of a room of their peers,” said Todd Headley, president of CSU Ventures. “This is a wonderful honor at this stage of the company’s growth.”

Carbo Analytics is both a tenant of the university’s Research Innovation Center and non-resident client of Rocky Mountain Innosphere. “For Dale and Carbo Analytics to receive this award at the premier event for clean energy startups is very significant,” said Mike Freeman, Innosphere CEO. “The company has a lot of potential and we look forward to their future success.”

This year’s forum attracted nearly 400 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers from around the nation.  NREL’s Industry Growth Forum provides promising startup companies exposure to corporate investors, venture capital and strategic partners, and winners receive in-kind commercialization support to help their chances of becoming commercially successful.

“Winning an award like this takes a talented team of people,” said Willard. “Our team starts with our dedicated employees and contractors but importantly includes the university where we are housed and incubated and the Rocky Mountain Innosphere that was instrumental in engineering the presentation through the SAGE advisor support.”

Founded in 2011, Carbo Analytics provides process monitoring to maximize value of sugar-based communities in such industries as biorefining, brewing, foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.  Initial forthcoming products will make sugar analysis simple and fast using a revolutionary lab-on-a-chip technology. Carbo Analytics is a Colorado State University spinoff that is commercializing technology from the Chemistry Department and licensed from CSU Ventures, the technology transfer organization for the university supporting startups.

Have a Hard Cider Sunday, October 7th, Lakewood, CO

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The Villa Palmer Lake Announces Italian Recipe Contest

Press Release - Palmer Lake, Colo. (October 1, 2012) - The Villa Palmer Lake announces its first-ever Italian cuisine recipe contest!  If you have an Italian recipe that includes fall vegetables, incorporates the idea of fall harvest or is simply the best Italian comfort food you can think of, then this recipe contest is made to order.

Whether it’s a signature recipe for an appetizer, entrée, soup, pizza or even dessert, local and regional cooks are invited to submit their favorite Italian creation today. The recipe contest will be judged by Chris and Kerri Bohler, co-owners of The Villa Palmer Lake.  If selected, it will be one of the featured specialty dishes at The Villa for the month of November, crediting the winner(s) as the creator.  “This is an exciting opportunity for local cooks to put a personal or updated spin on a classic Italian favorite, to offer up special Italian dishes that include the use of harvest vegetables, fruits or wines, or even to send in their favorite gourmet ‘mac and cheese’ rendition,” noted Kerri Bohler. 

Winners will receive a free dinner for four at The Villa, at which The Villa Palmer Lake culinary team will make the winner’s dish for the winner and up to three guests, plus their choice of appetizer and dessert.  All recipes must be submitted by October 31, 2012, in order to be considered.  All entrants should include their full name, e-mail address, telephone contact information (day and evening) and mailing address as a part of their entry. A photo of each submitted recipe is welcome, although not required. Recipe entries should be submitted to kerri@thevillapalmerlake.com. 

However, if entrants do not have access to the Internet, they can print their recipe along with their personal information and mail to: The Villa Palmer Lake, PO Box 163, Palmer Lake, CO 80133. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by October 25, 2012 and received by October 31, 2012 in order to be considered.

Multiple winners may be selected depending on the number and variety of recipes entered.

Please visit http://www.thevillapalmerlake.com/about/recipe-contest for more details. 

Document Organizer Offers Assistance To Fire Victims

Press Release

           Colorado wildfires continue to impact residents.  From those trying to get their life back on track who suffered a loss of their vital records and documents, to those who are still threatened by future fires.  Papervana, LLC is a document organization company, offering assistance to any victims who lost their records and documents in a wildfire or any other type of disaster.
 

At no charge, Judy Rough, creator of the Papervana system, will provide access to the online tutorial to victims of disasters, such as the Colorado wildfires, who lost their records and documents.   “It is so sad to see the victims suffer from disasters.  This is our way of helping a community that is facing difficult times,” said Rough.  As a former California resident, Rough has a keen awareness of natural disasters and sees the importance of being prepared.  For assistance in retaining documents, contact Judy Rough at Papervana by email at judy@papervana.com or by phone at 888-549-4942.

The threat of being involved in a disaster is real.  Papervana is a critical part of emergency and disaster preparedness for those who want to plan in advance and ensure they have a grab and go system for all their vital records and documents.

Papervana, LLC is a company dedicated to helping anyone who feels overwhelmed by their paper life.  Local entrepreneur and Professional Organizer, Judy Rough has created this online tutorial system for the do it yourselfer to collect, correct, replace, create, communicate and contain the paper documents critical to daily life. The system is designed to create comprehensive information that is backed up and communicated to a trusted representative.

For those who seek assistance in getting their important documents in order, unique workshops and one-on-one coaching is also available.  The goal of Papervana is to guide you to a place where you feel in control with your important papers in order, your plans in place and your life more at ease.

For more information on Papervana, visit www.papervana.com.

Rough is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), she has helped many people become organized and helped to downsize individuals. Rough also has a certification from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA) and is a member of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Lightning Hybrids introduces first ever hydraulic hybrid shuttle bus

Colorado company produces system that provides up to 40% MPG improvement Loveland, Colorado - Lightning Hybrids Inc. (LHI) plans to unveil their new fuel-efficient hydraulic hybrid shuttle bus on September 10 at BusCon in Chicago. The vehicle, a 2012 Ford E-450 23-passenger shuttle bus with a hydraulic hybrid system, will be available for rides along Navy Pier for the two days of North America’s biggest bus show.

This bus, the first hydraulic hybrid shuttle bus on the road, gets up to 40% better fuel economy than a non-hybrid because it regenerates braking energy -- and it has more power for acceleration and stopping. The system provides a 2 to 3 year payback for stop-and-go drive cycles based on fuel and brake savings. “This is the first hydraulic hybrid shuttle bus on the road and we’re excited to show it off at BusCon. Surprisingly, everyone who has test driven comments more on the extra acceleration power and better braking than the fuel savings. The LHI system is clearly a great safety feature in addition to a fuel saving solution, ”stated Tim Reeser, LHI’s Co-Founder and President. Lightning Hybrids has partnered with Davey Coach Sales of Sedalia, Colorado, to sell the retrofitted shuttle buses. Lightning Hybrids has been working on the hydraulic hybrid system since September 2008. It is available for heavy duty Ford and GM vehicles – work trucks, shuttle buses, utility vehicles – both new as well as retrofit to vehicles currently in fleets. LHI’s systems are made and assembled in the U.S.A. Orders are currently being taken with delivery 60 days from receipt of order. For more information please call 1-800-223-0740 ext. 102 or email bonnie@lightninghybrids.com. About Lightning Hybrids Inc. Lightning Hybrids is an innovative automotive research and manufacturing company based in Loveland, Colorado. We focus on hydraulic solutions for vehicles – ranging from the fuel efficient hydraulic hybrid systems to lightweight composite accumulators. The hydraulic hybrid system for fleet vehicles delivers up to 40 percent improvement in fuel economy by regenerating braking energy and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. Our high pressure composite bladder accumulators for hydraulic and other energy storage applications are safer and weigh only one-third the amount of standard steel accumulators. For more information about Lightning Hybrids, please visit www.LightningHybrids.com

Document Organization Company Moves To Colorado

Press Release Papervana, LLC is a company dedicated to helping those who feel overwhelmed by their paper life and has moved the corporate headquarters from California to Denver, CO. Local entrepreneur and Professional Organizer, Judy Rough, has created this online tutorial system for the do it yourselfer to collect, correct, replace, create, communicate and contain the paper documents critical to daily life. For those who seek assistance in getting their important documents in order, unique workshops and one-on-one coaching are also available for both physical and electronic storage options. Contact Rough directly by phone at 888-549-4942 or by email at judy@papervana.com for more information.

With decades of experience in vital record and document organizing, Rough is passionate about helping everyone get their “ducks in a row” to escape paper drama and believes Denver will provide an excellent platform to showcase her offerings. The Papervana online tutorial includes expert instruction in simple steps that help users organize important papers and plans. The tutorial is broken down into 12 categories including identification records, health, insurance, finances, taxes and emergency plans. The comprehensive categories cover all aspects of a person’s life right down to their things, with extensive home inventory guidance. There is even a ‘My Memories’ section that focuses on memorabilia including photos and other media. “Many people, especially baby boomers, deal with an overwhelming amount of documentation that is critical to managing their lives and the lives of others. Whether it be organizing medical information for your parents, ensuring all of your own tax documentation is in one secure place or being prepared for a day that doesn’t go as planned and turns into an emergency situation, the Papervana system offers value to anyone who wants to bring more order to their lives.” said Rough. For access to the Papervana online tutorial go to Papervana.com and join. Papervana, LLC has a goal to guide everyone to a place where they feel in control, with their important papers in order, plans in place and life more at ease. Created by Judy Rough, member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), she has helped many people become organized and helped to downsize individuals. Rough also has a certification from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA) and is a member of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.