Global relevance

In what its authors call the first study in 30 years to take a new look at geothermal energy, a new MIT-led group asserts that heat in the Earth's crust could supply a substantial portion of the electricity the United States will need in the future, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact.

An 18-member panel led by MIT prepared the 400-plus page study, released today, titled The Future of Geothermal Energy and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Invenergy Wind, through one of its subsidiaries, is adding 130.5 megawatts to its growing wind energy portfolio with the development of the Camp Springs Wind Energy Center in Scurry County, Texas.

The farm will consist of 87 General Electric 1.5sle wind turbines that are expected to generate enough kilowatt hours of energy annually to power about 40,000 homes. Construction is now underway.

The project is Invenergy's first Texas-based project. The original development work was completed by Dallas-based Wind Tex Energy, L.P. Site construction began in the fall of 2006 and commercial operation is expected in June 2007. D.H. Blattner & Sons was hired as the construction contractor. Invenergy Services LLC will serve as project operator.