Solar Shield--Protecting the North American Power Grid

source :Science@NASA



Oct. 26, 2010: Every hundred years or so, a solar storm comes along so potent it fills the skies of Earth with blood-red auroras, makes compass needles point in the wrong direction, and sends electric currents coursing through the planet's topsoil. The most famous such storm, the Carrington Event of 1859, actually shocked telegraph operators and set some of their offices on fire. A 2008 report by the National Academy of Sciences warns that if such a storm occurred today, we could experience widespread power blackouts with permanent damage to many key transformers.


What's a utility operator to do?


A new NASA project called "Solar Shield" could help keep the lights on.


"Solar Shield is a new and experimental forecasting system for the North American power grid," explains project leader Antti Pulkkinen, a Catholic University of America research associate working at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "We believe we can zero in on specific transformers and predict which of them are going to be hit hardest by a space weather event."

UMW Toyota sets new lower price for Prius

Written by Surin Murugiah

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 17:18

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor has set the on-the-road price for the Toyota Prius hybrid car at RM 139,000 in Peninsular Malaysia, which is about RM35,000 lower than its previous RM175,000 price tag.

The price for the Prius in Sabah and Sarawak is set at RM141,000 due to higher logistics costs.

The changes in the prices come into effect from Wednesday, Oct 27.

UMW Toyota Motor president Kuah Kock Heng said the company welcomed the recent National Budget announcement by the government on the extension and enhancement of tax incentives for hybrid cars effective from Jan 1, 2011 until Dec 31, 2011.

"We are very delighted with the support by the government, to extend the full exemption of import duty and full exemption of excise duty for Hybrid cars.

“Compared to the 2009 National Budget, import duties was given full exemption while the excise duty was given 50% reduction.

Kuah said that with the new price tag, Malaysians would be able to enjoy the company’s most popular hybrid car, the Prius, at a more affordable price.

They can also benefit from the high fuel efficiency and at the same time contribute to lower the CO2 emission,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

The Prius has worldwide sales exceeding 2 million units.

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/176115-umw-toyota-sets-new-lower-price-for-prius.html

开发i MiEV全电动车

开发i MiEV全电动车


投资致富 2010-10-25 14:42

汽车虽为人们带来便利，但全球暖化和环境污染亦是眾人关注的课题。日本三菱汽车相信发展全电动汽车（Electric Vehicle，EV）才是长远有效的解决方案。

日本三菱汽车企业主席益子修表示，新时代车主意识到环保的重要，同时对环保车和汽车工业新科技有所期望，目前市场上有了油电混合汽车（Hybrid），未来汽车工业將迈向全电动汽车发展。

“三菱是市场上首家推出电动汽车的公司，我们將在象徵三菱汽车尖端环保技术的“i MiEV”基础上，继续研发兼具驾驶乐趣和环保的全电动汽车。”

三菱概念车紧凑型PX MiEV展示了三菱新插电式混合动力系统（Plug-in Hybrid），体现该公司驾驶乐趣、安全可靠、环保责任三大造车宗旨。此款车子纯电力发动，不需注入燃料，只要完成充电程序即可行驶。

此车款备有3种充电模式，包括100伏特或200伏特家用电源充电及高速充电。只要將车上的插头连接家用插座即可充电，利用100伏特电源充电，费时14小时；200伏特为7小时，若高速充电，则能在30分钟內充满80%电量。


益子修补充，全电动车子可以减少对燃油的依赖，同时为环保尽一分力。三菱计划在未来三年，將此全电动汽车系统装置於中大型城市休旅车上。

http://biz.sinchew-i.com/node/40125?tid=8

ETP: Nuclear energy one of 10 EPPs

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to use nuclear energy is included as one of the ten Entry Point Projects (EPPs) under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).


Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, said the government included this because the country relied heavily on fossil fuels.

"As we move forward, we have to look into different renewable energy like biomass and biogas," he told reporters after the launch of the ETP: A Roadmap for Malaysia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here Monday.


Idris said there was a need for an in-depth deliberation on safety in the use of nuclear energy.

"The government is already in discussions with other countries that have gone through this path. Learn the lesson from other country and at the same engage and discuss with states where the the plant is likely to be sited.

"We are not going to start digging now and there should not be a short cut in establishing the nuclear power as renewable energy," he said.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui had recently said the government has approved the construction of a nuclear power plant which was expected to start operation by 2021 to meet the country's power demand in the future.

Chin said that using nuclear to generate power was inevitable as the use of coal and gas to generate power could no longer meet the country's energy demand, given that the resources were depleting.

"There is also limited land where dams could be built for the operations of hydro power plants," he said. - BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Nuclear energy one of 10 EPPs http://www.nst.com.my/articles/ETP_Nuclearenergyoneof10EPPs/Article//Article#ixzz13NZKUoyD

ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year

The government has set an ambitious goal of a five per cent annual growth for the oil, gas and energy sectors in the decade from 2010 to 2020, against a backdrop of the natural two per cent decline in oil and gas production.


The target translates into an increase of RM131.4 billion for the period from 2010 to 2020.

"Beyond economic growth in this decade, the oil, gas and energy sectors are also responsible for building a sustainable energy platform for the people and business, in this decade and into the future," the government said at the launch of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) : A Road Map for Malaysia, here today.

The Roadmap was launched by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

A total of 12 entry point projects (EPP) as well as two-business opportunities within the oil, gas and energy sector have been identified. Oil, gas and energy are among the important National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).

The EPPs will contribute RM47.1 billion to Gross National Income (GNI) to meet 2020 targets.

An additional RM61.2 billion will come from business opportunities and baseline growth.

Thus, the NKEA expects to deliver a RM131.4 billion GNI impact and create an additional 52,300 jobs in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

A significant proportion of these will be highly-skilled jobs, with an estimated 21,000 (40 per cent) for qualified professionals such as engineers and geologists, with a monthly salary range of RM5,000-RM10,000.


The government said the incremental GNI includes RM23.1 billion of GNI from the multiplier effect created by the EPPs from other sectors.

The largest sources of the multiplier effect on the oil, gas and energy NKEA are palm oil, tourism and electronics and electrical NKEAs, for example, an increase in usage of energy due to an increase in tourists visiting Malaysia.

To achieve the target, the government and the oil, gas and energy sectors will focus on four thrusts, namely, sustaining oil and gas production, enhancing downstream growth, making Malaysia the number one Asian hub for oil field services and building a sustainable energy platform for growth.

The third thrust is about leveraging the nation’s strategic location at the centre of the Asia Pacific region and adjacent to international shipping lanes.

The EPP for this thrust includes attracting Multinational Companies to bring sizeable shares of their global operations to Malaysia.

As for the fourth thrust, it includes initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security for Malaysia as the nation strives for growth towards becoming a high income economy.

"This also involves reducing the reliance on fossil fuels while growing the power generation capacity," said the government. –- BERNAMA

Read more: ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101025154753/Article/index_html#ixzz13NY89BgU

Group Photo-PEP35 Power PLant Electrical Maintenance

Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011

The prices of hybrid cars are expected to be more attractive next year to boost sales after Budget 2011 announcement of duty exemptions for the cars below 2,000 cc until Dec 31, 2011.


President of Malaysian Automotive Association, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, said currently, hybrid cars in Malaysia were expensive where fewer than 300 cars had been sold.

"The prices will definitely go down next year. At the moment, the industry players are doing the pricing," she told a media briefing after the launch of KL International Motor Show 2010's (KLIMS'10) advertising and promotional campaign here today.

The campaign, entitled 'We Care', was launched by Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Aishah said the granting of a manufacturing plant licence to Berjaya Corp Bhd by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the assembly of commercial vehicles, hybrid cars, electric cars and luxury passenger vehicles was a good sign for Malaysia's motor vehicle industry.

"This may attract more investors to come to Malaysia and it will be a good opportunity for the industry," she said.

KLIMS'10, which will be held from Dec 3-12 this year, is expected to attract 330,000 visitors and tourists. The event will be held at Putra World Trade Centre. -- Bernama

Read more: Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101021165224/Article/index_html#ixzz12zlOnETv

Renewable Energy Act in effect by H1 2011

source : Business Times

The bill on the Renewable Energy Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament before year-end, with the Act coming into force by June next year.


Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Undersecretary of the Sustainable Energy Division, Badriyah Abdul Malek, said the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism is therefore expected to be implemented at the same time.

FiT is a mechanism that allows electricity produced from indigenous renewable energy resources to be sold to power utilities at a fixed premium price and for specific duration.

"The bill is now completed and submitted to the Attorney-General. So we expect the bill to be tabled for first reading between the October and December session," she told reporters after the Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy Seminar and Dialogue with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kota Kinabalu today.

"At the same time, we will also table the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Bill, which is to institute the establishment of SEDA Malaysia, the authority to spearhead renewable energy development in Malaysia," Badriyah said.

"We expect the second and third reading in March, and the Act enforced probably in May or June next year, so the FiT will also come on board in May or June 2011," she said.

Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials

Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials


source :By STEPHEN THEN -The star

stephenthen@thestar.com.my

MIRI: Government officials will soon be provided with hybrid electric cars in another effort to go green.

The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is now in discussions with Proton Holdings Bhd to replace the current fleet of government vehicles with hybrid cars, said its minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin.

“If we really want to see the country go green, the Government must take the lead and show by example. We cannot keep telling the people and the private sector to go green if we do not do the same,” he told The Star yesterday, explaining the rationale behind the change.

A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It combines an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

Chin said vehicles using electric engines could save up to 40% of fuel and also drastically cut down on carbon emission.

Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism

source : The Star
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism


KUALA LUMPUR: Although details are yet to be available, analysts speculate consumers may pay more for their electricity bills with the implementation of the feed-in-tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act.


The Government announced that it will implement the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act, to allow electricity generated from renewable energy by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.

The Feed-in-Tariff forms part of the Act that is expected be tabled before the Parliament next month. It is part of the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy contribution to Malaysia’s electricity-generation mix from less than 1% in 2009 to around 5.5% by 2015 and to 11% of all electricity generated nationwide in 2020.

“The national utility would be obliged to buy renewable electricity at above-market rates set by the Government over a specific period of time from the day the system is connected to the grid,’’ an analyst said.

‘’The utility would be authorised to pass on this cost to all electricity consumers through their regular electricity bills.’’

OSK Research head Chris Eng said certainly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would not want to pay and the higher tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer. It would probably be cost-neutral to TNB as higher fees collected would be utilised by the national utility company to pay producers who uses renewable energy to produce electricity.

To a question, Eng said consumers may need to pay an additional 1% to 3% more for electricity.

Lighten your Footprint while Working from Home

Courtesy: WWF Canada

Lighten your Footprint while Working from Home Help bring the freedom of flexible work arrangements to more workplaces across Canada.
 
When National Work from Home Day gets 50,000 "likes" on Facebook, Workopolis will donate $10,000 to WWF-Canada.
 
You can help us get there!If one million Canadians were to work at home just one day each week, in a year Canada would save some 250 million kilograms of CO2 emissions; 100 million litres of fuel; and 800 million fewer kilometres of mileage on our highways and streets. As a side-benefit, we would save some $40 million in fuel costs, and 50 million hours of time, to spend with our families, or on our non-work lives.

Highlights of PM's Budget 2011 speech (Green Technology Related)

source: The star

 The Govt is committed to develop green technology to ensure sustainable development

•  Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance for energy generation from renewable sources plus energy efficiency activities extended til 31 December 2015

• Import duty and sales tax exemption on equipment for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency to be extended until Dec 31, 2012.

• Import duty and excise duty exemption duty to franchise holders of hybrid cars will be extended until Dec 31, 2011 with excise duty to be given full exemption. This incentive is also extended to electric cars as well as hybrid and electric motorcycles.

• The Govt will implement the Programme on Blending of Biofuels with Petroleum Diesel (B5 Programme) in June 2011

• Government will implement the Feed in Tariff (FiT) mechanism under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act to allow electricity generated from RE by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.

• For Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, RM93mil is allocated for facilities
• PPP project: Construction of a 300-megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis, Sabah

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/15/budget/20101015160648&sec=budget

Banks say they support green technology

source : The Star

UOB senior veep: Companies need to provide green certification
KUALA LUMPUR: Some banks deny that they are reluctant to provide financing for green technology initiatives and claim that they will lend as long as internal lending guidelines are met and investors are able to secure certification from relevant authorities.

United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd senior vice-president and senior head of bumiputra business banking division Mohd Fhauzi Muridan said: “We treat all customers equally. Any application for financing is assessed according to our internal lending guidelines and applied equally to all customers.

Mohd Fhauzi Muridan ... ‘We treat all customers equally.’

“The only additional criterion for Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) is that companies will need to provide the project certification from the Malaysian Green Technology Corp (MGTC) and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water,” he told StarBiz.


He said the Government assisted these companies by providing a certain level of financial guarantee that encouraged financial institutions to give them loans, adding that overlaying this, however, was the bank’s lending guidelines when assessing the various risks associated with a loan application.

According to Mohd Fhauzi, UOB Malaysia has its own internal lending guidelines and these guidelines would apply equally to all customers from all industries and sectors. These guidelines, he noted, wereconsistent with best practices and aligned with existing regulatory requirements.

Applicants who had viable project approved by the ministry and able to meet the bank’s lending guidelines would definitely be considered by the bank, he said.

Bernama recently reported that the slow assimilation of green technology in the country was due to the reluctance of banks to provide financing. It cited Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui as saying the resistance stemmed from the assumption by financial institutions that green technology was still new here compared with some other countries.

Chin also felt financial institutions were adopting a wait-and-see attitude instead of taking risks.

He added so far, MGTC had green project certification for 55 projects out of 71 applications, whereby only nine projects had been offered financing and the rest were depending on banks for money.

Hopes for cheaper green cars

source: The star

Industry analysts call for incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Budget 2011

PETALING JAYA: Local automotive analysts and industry observers are hopeful that incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Malaysia would be announced at this year’s Budget 2011 that will be tabled on Friday.

A key step forward is to reduce the price tag of such vehicles, said Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific automotive and transportation practice principal consultant Dushyant Sinha.

“It is imperative that hybrid and electric cars are made more affordable and acceptable to the average consumer,” he told StarBiz in an e-mail.

“It is also important to ensure simultaneous development of a composite manufacturing ecosystem, comprising both OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and suppliers.”

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd are the only two official franchise holders offering their own hybrid models in Malaysia, namely the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius respectively. The models are priced from RM129,000 and RM175,000 respectively

Dushyant also said that the 50% excise duty exemption for completely-built-up (CBU) hybrid cars that would end this year, should be extended. “The exemption has certainly helped make imported models like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid more affordable,” he said.


“However, these incentives need to continue beyond Dec 31, 2010, to ensure that a critical mass of vehicles is reached before demand becomes large enough to make local manufacturing and assembly feasible.” Dushyant said added incentives that reduced day-to-day operational costs, such as free parking and reductions in road tax, would be welcomed at this year’s budget.

Berjaya Solar

Berjaya Solar Sdn Bhd (“Berjaya Solar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, is pleased to announce the proposed development of the country’s first large-scale 10 Megawatt ground-based Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Bukit Tagar, Selangor, estimated to cost approximately RM180 million. This is the precursor to developing a proposed 50 Megawatt Solar PV power plant in the future based on the success of the 10 Megawatt plant undertaking.


Berjaya Solar has developed in-depth understanding on implementation of the proposed PV power plant during its recent visits to solar farms and relevant government institutions and companies in Germany and Spain.

A detailed analysis of the proposed PV project has been undertaken, including the consideration of crystalline PV as well as thin film technologies. Berjaya Solar has established strategic relationship with leading global Solar PV enterprises in the ASEAN region, such as EQ Solar and other PV manufacturers. EQ Solar is in the advanced stage of preparation to set up its latest solar panel manufacturing plant in Johor producing mono- and poly- crystalline PV modules.

The potential involvement of local and regional manufacturers will provide significant benefits to the country’s existing and new industry throughout the course of the project.

As an independent developer and operator of solar power in Malaysia, Berjaya Solar has submitted a proposal to develop the Solar PV Power Plant to the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

The successful engagement of the project entails support from the government, primarily in terms of policies for renewable energy. In this context, the government’s approval of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (Malaysia Energy Centre) proposal for a new Feed-in Tariff mechanism that provides preferential electricity tariffs as incentive for producers of Renewable Energy Sources is imperative.

Pending and subject to approval of the Feed-in Tariff policy and the project, Berjaya Solar is expected to commence development of the 10 Megawatt Solar PV power plant in the 2nd half of 2010 to be commissioned by 2011. The plant will be developed over a 50 hectares site, and is capable of generating power to supply electricity to 3,000 homes. The power generated will be connected to the national grid to supply electricity nationwide.

The project is expected to draw global green-technology expertise to Malaysia, creating a new industry. The spin-offs from this are the transfer of technology and a positive impact on the local job market.

The abundance of solar irradiation in this region is a strong impetus, and Berjaya Solar sees great potential in solar source as the nation’s main source of supplemental energy, to reduce the nation’s dependency on fossil fuel energy. Unlike fossil fuels, Solar PV is able to create energy solutions that are environmentally friendly, during operation and after decommissioning, leading to a greener and sustainable environment.

This flagship undertaking is in line with the Government of Malaysia’s green energy policy, and will keep Malaysia abreast with other ASEAN countries embarking on similar solar projects.

Building green – a tax perspective

Source : The Star
Comment by Margaret Lee

CLIMATE change or global warming is “heating up” today’s political, business and social discourse. Little surprise then that in Malaysia, there has been an increased awareness of the need to adopt environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices to mitigate its effects. The Government recognises that one of the most effective ways to encourage Malaysians to embrace the green agenda is to get the private sector to lead the way. Hence, the following tax incentives were introduced in the hopes of encouraging green technology, which would eventually address both rising energy costs and climate change effects:

Giving pioneer status or investment tax allowance to companies investing in generation of energy from renewable sources and energy conservation/energy efficient activities;

Indirect tax exemptions for equipment used to generate energy from renewable sources, energy conservation equipment, energy efficiency equipment such as high-efficiency motors and insulation materials, and energy-efficiency consumer goods;

Stamp duty exemption for purchase of property with Green Building Index (GBI) certification; and

Income tax exemption on additional capital expenditure incurred to obtain GBI certification.

However, the current green incentives are not attractive enough for the public and private sectors as compared with those given in our neighbouring countries. Let’s break this down by the four target sectors of Green Technology under the National Green Technology Policy:

Buildings: The current GBI tax incentives do not recognise and reward stakeholders in a holistic manner as the incentives are only applicable to persons who construct as well as own green buildings. There are no tax incentives given to property developers who develop green buildings but do not own them.

Energy: The period in which the incentives offered for generation of energy from renewable sources and energy conservation/energy efficient activities will end on Dec 31. The implementation of the energy-efficient incentive remains unclear, i.e. whether the incentive is given to energy-efficient systems or specific components and equipment. This has resulted in delays in the implementation of energy-conservation projects by companies.

Transport: The cost of hybrid motor vehicles is still relatively high, thus, making them an unattractive option for the rakyat.
Water to waste management: The incentives are only limited to waste- recycling activities and storage treatment, and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. There are currently no holistic tax incentives to cover the entire chain of waste management.

Malaysia to push green tech in Budget 2011

The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water has proposed measures to encourage more firms to get involved in the development of green technology under Budget 2011.


Minister Datuk Seri Chin Fah Kui said the ministry's proposals included incentives and tax deductions. "The ministry is promoting green technology as it is a new sector to get involved in," he told a media briefing at the ministry's Hari Raya open house here today.

Chin said the ministry would host the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference 2010 (IGEM 2010) from Oct 14-17, 2010 to promote the green technology.

"Of the 500 firms that will participate in IGEM 2010, about 80 per cent of them are from overseas. "Among the countries coming for the exhibition include those from Europe, Japan, South Korea, China and Singapore," he said.

He said this would be the first time IGEM 2010 would be held on a big scale. "The IGEM will also let the foreign countries know that Malaysia is also encouraging the adoption of green technology," he said.

Chin said a roundtable of ministers involved in green technology and institutions of higher learning locally and overseas would also be held in conjunction with IGEM 2010.

IGEM 2010, which aims to promote green technology and its products, will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. -- Bernama

Read more: Malaysia to push green tech in Budget 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101005184644/Article/index_html#ixzz11UGYu9zx

Valeo full-LED headlamps on two concept cars

Mon, Oct 04, 2010 at 3:35 pm


Valeo full-LED headlamps on two concept cars

PARIS: Valeo is fitting full-LED headlights the ZB10 Renault and SEAT IBE concept cars exclusively presented at the Paris Motor Show.

With their low energy consumption, equivalent to 85% of traditional headlamps, LEDs are are seen as ideal for electric vehicles because they increase their range, and they reduce fuel consumption by around 0.2 litres per 100 km for internal combustion engine vehicles.

In addition to low consumption, Valeo said LEDs offer many other benefits, such as a long lifespan exceeding that of the vehicle, the compactness of the associated optical systems, and the freedom they offer designers in terms of customised vehicle styling.

The use of new-generation LEDs, coupled with a high-efficiency optical system, produces light that is close to natural daylight, thereby increasing safety, it said.

source :The star
http://star-motoring.com/blog/permalink.asp?id=1611

2x300MW Calaca Coal Fired Power Plant at Batangas (Manila),Philippines

Recently, i have visited Calaca Coal Fired Power station at Batangas, Philippines.We took approximately three hours drive from Manila, the capital of Philippines to the power station.

The total capacity of the power plant is 2x 300MW ,consisting of one unit of  300MW Toshiba steam generator, and GEC ALSTHOM steam generator with same capacity.

Currently, DMCI Power Corp is the new owner of the plant since Dec 2009, acquired the coal-fired facility for $361.71 million.

Futher info, pls refer to the news as below:

Calaca power plant to be formally turned over to DMCI Power