TREC is looking for a software developer to submit a proposal for the development of a member and investment management software platform for renewable energy co-ops. This platform should be able to handle member management, securities transactions, yield payouts and basic accounting/book-keeping services as outlined in the attached RFP.

This RFP closes July 8th at noon with presentations the week of July 12th.

TREC Call for Proposals for Co-op Management Platform

Canada’s wind energy industry took another step forward in 2010 with the addition of 690 MW of installed wind energy capacity. Our current installed capacity is 4,588 MW –enough to power over 1.2 million homes with clean, emissions-free energy – is comprised of 2,570 wind turbines operating at 131 wind farms. Wind energy has increased almost ten-fold in the last six years in Canada as governments seek ways to meet rising energy demand, reduce environmental impacts of electricity generation, and stimulate rural and industrial economic development.

The vast majority of Canadians support wind energy for its environmental and social benefits. Now there is a place where supporters can share their stories or learn more about wind: log on to the Friends of Wind website today.

The site gives interested individuals the chance to “join the conversation” about our energy future. It offers a variety of tools friends of wind can use to show their support for wind energy – helping to give the often-silent majority a strong voice.

By logging on you can:

-  Tell your MPP/MLA that clean and renewable energy is important to you! Show your support for wind energy by submitting a letter to your provincial representative. It only takes a few seconds to make a difference.  Click here to get started.

-  Submit your own story! Help populate the Friends of Wind blog by sharing your stories about how wind energy positively impacts you and your community. If you are curious about wind energy, this is a great place to start a conversation. Take a look at what wind energy supporters are already saying and join the conversation.

The Friends of Wind website can be viewed at the following link www.friendsofwind.ca.

Mike Brigham deliver a keynote speech at this year''s Community Energy Network of Eastern Ontario Summer Retreat 2011 on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 1pm.  His talk will be on the topic of:

How can we organize in our communities to take advantage of green energy opportunities? The experience of TREC and Solarshare

Click here to find out more and register for the event

The  Ontario Divisonal Court denied the appeal from Mr Hanna

From canadianenergylaw.com:

Ian Hanna, an Ontario anti-wind crusader, has been denied permission to appeal an earlier court decision that dismissed his judicial review application. 

Hanna’s application challenged Ontario Regulation 359/09 that governs renewable energy approvals in Ontario. The Regulation requires a 550 meter distance between wind turbines and noise receptors such as residences.

  Read the entire article here

The TREC/ LakeWind project is in jeopardy again.  Share this news with your networks!

After the Ontario Government announced the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program in September 2009, TREC/LakeWind was quick off the mark to get a FIT application submitted under the initiation period.  Our hopes were high for finally moving this landmark project forward. With excellent wind resources, land leases in place and significant Renewable Energy Approvals completed, TREC was optimistic about out chances to secure a contract.

The transmission upgrade in the area was pending but regular review of the connection capacity demonstrated there would be room for our project; we thought we had it made.

Alas, it may not be! The latest reports on grid capacity show the local transformer station has been downgraded in capacity, leaving too little room for LakeWind and with it dashing the hope for LakeWind powering the winds of community power change any time soon.

At a time when anti-wind sentiment is at almost hysterical levels and the need for a showcase of community involvement and benefit is desperately needed, our chances may be completely eroded.  The TREC/LakeWind team is grappling with the consequences and is grateful if you share this news with your networks.

With almost $1 million invested (between community support and sweat equity), we’re not giving up with out a fight, but we need your support. Watch this space for future updates.

                   

The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is turning up the green energy wattage with the announcement of a video contest, real time online map showcasing green energy supporters, conservation and renewable energy projects and a province wide Green Energy Field Day, all part of the WattsNEXT? contest.

WattsNEXT? offers the chance to win exciting prizes (including a complete 10 kilowatt solar system by AS Solar and cash bursaries), while showcasing the power of sustainable energy across Ontario.

 Visit WattsNEXT here

 

From Paul Gipe at Wind Works:

Italians have decisively said "no thanks" to nuclear for a second time in a nationwide referendum and the country must now turn increasingly to renewable energy.

The vote is a stinging rebuke to Conservative Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who had hoped to revive the country's dormant nuclear industry.

Italians voted in a 1987 referendum to prevent new nuclear power plants. Subsequently, the government decided in 1988 to phase out existing reactors.

Berlusconi conceded defeat saying "addio" to nuclear and noting that the country must now develop its renewable energy resources.

 

Read the entire article here

 From Green Energy News:

An industry that is often affected by local opposition in the United States is that of wind energy development. It seems odd that businesses that attempt to bring clean energy and preserve the environment are frequently faced with disapproval from local communities. We talk about the necessary changes in our lifestyles in order to save the planet, yet when a practical solution is proposed we often seem to be against it. Why do people support clean energy in theory yet fight against wind farm development?

Read the entire article here

Tomorrow is Global Wind Day! 

TREC and TREC Education would love for you to honor the day by taking some time to discover more about the power of wind energy, the ways we can harness it and the renewable energy movement.

Here is what the Global Wind Day website had to say,

“Thousands of individuals are involved in the production of energy from the wind, but for many people, wind energy is a mystery. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy.”

On June 15^th, 2011 thousands of public events will be happening all over the world in support of wind energy.

CanWEA will be hosting their second annual Global Wind Day event near Fort Erie, Ontario. To find out more go to:

http://www.canwea.ca/events/windday_e.php

For specific event location info go to:

http://www.globalwindday.org/index.php?id=28tx_smfgwdlocator_pi1[dummy]=showDetailstx_smfgwdlocator_pi1[mode]=detailsView&tx_smfgwdlocator_pi1[uid]=986

You can also take a further look around our website or visit TREC Education www.treceducation.ca to check out online resources for children.

To learn more about other worldwide events, head over to www.globalwindday.org

Live webcast - Wind Farms and Human Health Scientific Forum - June 6th, 6:45 pm (EST)

From Australian National Health and Medical Research Council

Click here

 

This will take you to the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) website, where you can listen to a live-streamed webcast of a symposium on Wind Turbines and Human Health.

The forum will provide an opportunity for NHMRC to hear the latest international scientific evidence and to engage with stakeholders over the range of issues for which there is public concern. The morning session will be streamed live via the NHMRC website from 8.45 a.m. until midday.