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Students arriving on campus this month are seeing green — and not just from the money they're spending on tuition.
For example, students coming to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., will start their school year with the university's first "Green Move-In."
Rose Dunnegan, the university's property manager, says the program follows the success of last semester's "Green Move-Out." Student and staff volunteers recycled thousands of pounds of clothing, household items, food and "e-cycling" materials, including cellphones, batteries and computer parts, Dunnegan says. [Source: USA TODAY, The Boston Globe] Read more. Source: GreenSage.com, Summer 2008
Constellation Energy today announced that its subsidiary, Constellation NewEnergy (CNE), is helping to turn the court green at the 2008 US Open in Flushing, N.Y. CNE will supply an estimated 2,000 Green-e certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to match the electricity consumption at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the duration of the US Open held Aug. 25-Sep. 7, 2008.
"We're proud to be serving this year's US Open with clean, wind-generated energy," said Michael Kagan, president of Constellation NewEnergy. "By matching their electricity usage with renewable energy, the USTA and other sports associations across America are helping to lead the effort to address the environmental and energy challenges we face around the globe."
"Big-time sporting events provide a unique platform to educate our fans on green initiatives, and we feel that the best way we can educate is to lead by example," said Arlen Kantarian, chief executive officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. "We have a plan that will lessen the environmental impact of the event and heighten the environmental awareness of those who attend it."
CNE has a successful track record of providing sources of renewable energy to sporting events and venues across the country. For example, last year CNE and The Kraft Group announced their collaboration to secure wind RECs to match the electricity usage at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, before, during and after all pre-season, regular and post-season home games. The electricity usage at the 2007 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship was also matched with RECs by CNE. This was the first-ever PGA TOUR or Champions Tour event to be powered fully by renewable energy. This year, CNE also supplied RECs to match the electricity usage at the 2008 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.
CNE offers a suite of sustainable solutions including demand response programs and renewable energy resources. At the US Open, CNE will be supplying RECs generated from the wind. A REC represents the clean air benefits from electricity generated from a wind, solar or other renewable power facility. Organizations may use RECs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and help support the operation and development of domestic sources of cleaner, renewable energy. Source: MarketWatch, 08/25/08
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are urging companies to broaden their carbon footprint calculations with a new method that estimates the amount of GHG emissions across all tiers of the entire supply chain for all industries.
Carbon footprints are typically reported in “tiers.” Tier one includes emissions by the company’s own activities. Tier two expands to include emissions from electricity and steam purchased by the company. Tier three includes all other emissions from the company’s entire supply chain of goods and services.
Companies usually opt to report only their tier one or tier two GHG emissions, but Carnegie Mellon researchers H. Scott Matthews, Chris T. Hendrickson, and Christopher L. Weber say two-thirds of U.S. industries would overlook 75 percent of GHG emissions if they continue to neglect reporting on tier three emissions.
“By far, most companies are pursuing very limited footprints — toe prints really— instead of comprehensive ones,” said Matthews in a statement.
The average industry has only 14 percent of its total greenhouse gas emissions in tier one and 12 percent in tier two for a total of 26 percent. Source: Environmental Leader, 08/19/08
Climate change, fuel economy, renewable energy...all are terms that we've been learning more about as media ramps up its "green" initiative coverage.
This week NY Auto Giant and Carbon Neutrality (another Long Island based company) have launched an innovative carbon emission reduction program that will add to our environmental dictionaries the following ground-breaking terms: Carbon Footprint, Carbon Offsetting, Carbon Neutral, and Carbon Credits.
A Carbon Print (Carbon Footprint) equals the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted over the life of a product or service or... YOU. Read more. Source: MarketWatch, 08/25/08
Green Mountain Energy Company this week made good on its commitment to cooperate with the Florida Public Service Commission's (FPSC) review of Florida Power & Light's (FPL) Sunshine Energy(R) program. Green Mountain released a comprehensive report on its revenue and expenses for the voluntary green power program. Green Mountain also shared confidential financial records with a team of FPSC auditors at the company's Austin, Texas headquarters. The detailed report is available upon request.
"Green Mountain delivered on its commitment to cooperate with the Commission, just as we delivered on our contract with FPL to support its Sunshine Energy Program over the last five years," stated Paul N. Markovich, senior vice president of Residential Services for Green Mountain Energy Company. "This is the first time that we have been able to tell our story directly to the Commission about how our revenues and expenses for the Sunshine Energy Program were spent." Read more. Source: Market Watch, 08/28/08
Visit U.S. DOE EERE Green Power Network for more information.
For $1 billion over the next 40 years, the U.S. could develop 100 gigawatts (a gigawatt equals one billion watts) of electricity generation that emits no air pollution and pumps out power to the grid even more reliably than coal-fired power plants, according to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now Google.org—the charitable wing of the search engine giant—has chipped in nearly $11 million for this renewable resource: so-called geothermal power, or tapping the Earth's heat to make electricity.
That makes Google.org the largest funder of enhanced geothermal research in the country, outspending the U.S. government. The Australian government has pledged $43.5 million for such projects and already has several in the works, as do Europe and Japan.
But no such advanced geothermal plants are online in the U.S. at present, and may not be for many years to come. No one has successfully completed all the steps—or demonstrated all the technologies—needed to drill deep beneath the surface, fracture the rock, pump water or other fluids down into the ground to absorb the interior heat, and then bring it to the surface. Once topside, the hot water can be used to make steam to turn turbines and produce electricity. Read more. Source: Scientific American, 08/20/08
Republic Services Inc. has contracted with Lansing-based Granger Electric Co. to build a 3.2-MW landfill methane power system at the Whitefeather Landfill in Bay County's Pinconning Township, Michigan. The power will be sold to Consumers Energy. The two-phase project is expected to cost $4-6 million US. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has approved an air quality permit and township officials have granted building permits and zoning approval. (Source: Bay City Times, Aug. 21, '08)
Form more information, contact Todd Davlin, Director, Operations, Granger Electric Co.; 517-372-2800. Source: EP Overviews, 08/25/08
The latest issue of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WindLetter is available to download. Source: AWEA, 08/25/08
Solar module maker Trina Solar Ltd (TSL.N) said on Monday it had expanded a polysilicon supply agreement with GCL Silicon Technology Holdings Inc.
Trina's Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co unit increased the amount of polysilicon it would buy from GCL to a level that would allow it to produce 4,825 megawatts of photovoltaic solar modules over eight years from the 2,600 megawatts it had announced in April.
For 2009, Trina said it now targeted 700 MW of solar cell and module capacity and silicon ingot and wafer production capacity of approximately 500 MW. (Reporting by Matt Daily; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Source: Reuters, 08/25/08
Workers spent the past winter tinkering with high-tech turbines slung beneath a barge in the cold waters off the Maine coast before getting them to produce a modest 20 kilowatts, enough electricity to power a half-dozen homes.
Far from discouraged, Ocean Renewable Power Co. is spending the summer preparing to deploy larger turbines capable of producing up to 5 megawatts.
Eventually, the company envisions producing enough electricity to power 22,000 homes by harnessing the power of Passamaquoddy Bay, where twice each day the tide rises and falls upwards of 20 feet, the greatest tide change in the continental United States.
"This is our beachhead opportunity to enter the market," project manager John Ferland said.
Even before energy prices surged, a study conducted by the electric utility industry concluded that tidal power could be produced at a cost competitive with wind power and power plants fired by natural gas.
Companies raced to file permits with Federal Energy Regulation Commission, but Ocean Renewable Power has moved a step forward by using its turbine generating unit to produce power. It is one of dozens of developers positioning for a lead role in tidal power technology.
"Basically, the technology is here. It's just a matter of engineering it for the lowest cost, the highest reliability and the longest survivability in a hostile and corrosive environment," said Roger Bedard, who led the study for the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, Calif. Read more. Source: The News-Times, 08/23/08
Lynette Bunyard and Joe Pambianco wanted to add solar panels to the roof of their downtown San Jose home. But instead of shelling out $47,000 for the installation, they found a popular alternative financing method for those who want to go green but don't want to go broke in the process.
The couple used a power-purchase agreement, or PPA in industry lingo, transacted through a San Francisco company called SunRun. The company works with a homeowner and a solar-installation company; it finances the deal; it owns and operates the solar system, and sells the homeowner the electricity being generated on the homeowner's roof at a fixed rate (13.5 cents per kilowatt hour) for 18 years. Read more. Source: Mercury News, 08/22/08
Which appliance costs you the most money on your energy bill last month? Chances are—outside of the air-conditioner—it was your water heater. In fact, if you're like many other Arizona families, that one appliance alone accounted for about 15 percent of your total energy bill last year.
But it doesn't have to be that way. By installing a solar water heater, you could virtually eliminate that energy cost. Solar water heaters are not only affordable, they also provide environmental benefits. Read more. Source: Arizona Republic, 09/02/08
Google.org’s investments in geothermal-energy exploration last week highlighted the potential for harnessing the heat below the Earth’s surface to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy is hardly new, but much of it has come from areas blessed with natural reservoirs of water and steam. Technology improvements in drilling and engineering steam fields are promising to deliver an extraordinary amount of energy from miles beneath our feet.
Google.org said last week it would invest $10.25 million in “enhanced geothermal systems,” which involve creating geothermal fields in areas without natural reservoirs of water and steam. The technology promises to greatly expand U.S. electricity production and help the country rely less on coal-fired power plants. Read more. Source: Green Tech Media, 08/26/08
Raser Technologies has announced the beginning of the construction phase of the first commercial geothermal power project in New Mexico.
Raser chairman Kraig Higginson introduced Raser's geothermal power project at Lightning Dock near Animas, New Mexico along with its geothermal development process.
According to the company, the power plant will be one of the first in the US to use new low temperature geothermal power generation technology in a proprietary modular power plant design by Raser Technologies.
Dick Clayton, executive vice president for Raser Technologies, said: "We believe that the completion of this renewable energy plant over the next several months will mark the beginning of an expanding role for geothermal power in our nation's energy future."
Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Source: Trading Markets, 08/25/08
An agreement between Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and Byogy Renewables Inc., has renewed hopes of a future where gasoline prices are back within everyone’s grasp. And according to those involved, the process could become a reality within the next two years.
"This technology is important because it addresses many issues—eliminating waste, producing economical fuel quickly and being friendly to our environment,” said Dr. Kenneth Hall, associate director of TEES. “It’s a win-win for industry and consumers. Furthermore, this technology is ready to be commercialized now and does not require any new scientific or technological breakthroughs to become a reality.” Read more. Source: CleanTechnica, 08/25/08
Much of the energy on Earth comes from the sun. Solar energy in ancient oceans was captured by algae and sank to the bottom of the water column. Over hundreds of millions of years, this rich sediment was fossilized into the energy we use today in fossil fuels. Unfortunately, recovering carbon and burning it causes climate change and all the well documented problems from too much carbon in Earth's atmosphere.
Chemist Emma Kate Payne displays a fuel sample created from algae at LiveFuels in San Carlos, Calif. Behind the scenes, the airline industry is aggressively pushing for home-grown alternatives to petroleum-based jet fuel. Though supplies will not be ready for several years, a coalition that includes the United States Federal Aviation Administration, airline, manufacturing and airport associations wants standards for a 50 percent synthetic jet fuel approved by the end of the year. It’s just one of the possible applications for fuel made from farmed algae. Read more. Source: Telegraph Journal, 08/25/08
Ontario Power Generation's coal-fired station in Atikokan, Ontario, has been testing the use of wood pellets from British Columbian pine beetle damaged wood, according to station manager, Ed Enge. The station "has successfully demonstrated that the plant is capable of achieving design capacity using 100 percent wood pellets and existing equipment."
Testing has progressed from a 15 percent blend of biomass with coal in January; up to 100 percent biomass for a short term test in July 2008. According to Enge, the wood pellets have a higher Btu rating, lower moisture content and less ash than the low-sulfur Western Canadian lignite coal typically consumed by the station. (Source: Chronicle Journal, Aug. 23, '08)
Form more information, contact Ed Enge, Station Manager, Atikokan Generating Station, 807-597-1110. Source: EP Overviews, 08/27/08
Sunrise Solar Corp. today addresses "solar myths" that often arise in shareholder questions relating to the role of solar power in America's future energy plans.
[Source: U.S. Department of Energy] Source: Market Watch, 08/27/08
Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corp. plans to invest over 10 billion yen ($91 million) to triple its output capacity of solar cells by March 2012, aiming to tap growing overseas demand, the Nikkei business daily reported on Wednesday.
Demand for renewable energy such as solar cells is rapidly increasing due to higher oil prices and concern about climate change, giving a boost to the industry led by companies like Germany's Q-Cells AG and Japan's Sharp Corp.
The Nikkei said Mitsubishi Electric would set up a new facility at its solar cell factory in Nagano prefecture, central Japan, and raise the total annual production capacity for solar cells to 600,000 kilowatts from its 220,000-kilowatt target for this October.
Besides overseas markets, the company aims to sell solar power systems at home, the paper said.
Mitsubishi Electric officials were not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Sachi Izumi; Editing by Chris Gallagher) Source: Reuters, 08/26/08
A major solar manufacturing company that officials are comparing in size to Intel is looking at sites along the Price Road Corridor in Chandler, said Economic Development Director Christine Mackay.
She and Barry Broome, president and chief executive of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council say the firm's decision to build in this area could have a significant positive impact on the Valley's economy.
Among the sites being considered is the 153-acre Motorolaparcel near Price and Queen Creek roads, Mackay said. Read more. Source: AZCentral.com, 08/28/08
Georgia Power has requested permission from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to convert the utility's coal-fired Plant Mitchell to renewable wood biomass. If the request is approved, the plant would be capable of producing 96 MW of renewable energy and would be one of the largest wood biomass plants in the United States. Wood fuel would be sourced from suppliers operating within an approximately 100-mile radius of the plant. A decision by the PSC is expected by early 2009 and the retrofit would be completed by 2011 with operations beginning in June 2012. (Source: PR Newswire, Aug. 22, '08)
For more information, contact Lynn Wallace, Georgia Power, 404-506-7676. Georgia Public Service Commission. Source: EP Overviews, 08/28/08
Welcome to the September 2008 issue of the Small Wind Newsletter. Source: Larry Sherwood and Jane Pulaski, Editors, IREC, 08/28/08
The completely revised and updated edition of this acclaimed work offers vital information for the urgent growing debate on the state of the nation's economy. Using data current through the first half of 2003, Frumkin focuses on the meaning and use of a wide array of indicators of economic growth, employment, wages, productivity, investment, saving, and finance in assessing the current state of the U.S. economy and forecasting future developments. This totally revised edition includes detailed coverage of many important new topics, such as terrorism's impact on the economy, Federal debt and interest rates, job openings and unemployment, government spending and taxes, the 2001 recession, and much more. Preview the book. Source: Google Books, 08/28/08
Get the latest information from North American Windpower. Source: North American Windpower, 08/27/08
PSEG Global and Michael Nakhamkin, who designed the only compressed air-storage facility in the United States, announced that they are forming a joint venture called Energy Storage and Power and will invest $20 million over the next three years to develop an underground compressed-air storage system for wind turbines and other power sources, CNET reports.
Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) pumps air underground in places like depleted natural gas wells or salt caverns. The pressured air is then released later to drive a turbine to generate electricity. The system is capable of storing energy for several hours or even days, allowing utilities to deliver electricity during peak hours, when the demand and price for electricity is at its highest.
Other companies are also designing system to save wind power for later, such as General Compression, which is designing a wind turbine that has a compressor built into the nacelle. The machine will be tested in the next few years.
Last year, General Compression was named a top 100 innovative green tech company. Source: Environmental Leader, 08/26/08
The Earth Policy Institute put out an Aug. 19 release called “World Geothermal Power Generation Nearing Eruption,” which gives an overview of geothermal power generation around the world.
"With fossil fuel prices escalating and countries searching for ways to reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, capturing the earth's heat for power generation is garnering new attention," begins the release, written by Jonathan G. Dorn. He goes on to say, “geothermal energy is now taking place in 24 countries, 5 of which use it to produce 15 percent or more of their total electricity. In the first half of 2008, total world installed geothermal power capacity passed 10,000 MW and now produces enough electricity to meet the needs of 60 million people, roughly the population of the United Kingdom. In 2010, capacity could increase to 13,500 MW across 46 countries—equivalent to 27 coal-fired power plants."
The report listed areas in the world of great geothermal potential, including how new technologies are contributing to the viability of production in places like Germany. Thirty-nine countries, over 750 million people, have geothermal resources sufficient to meet all their electricity needs, the report said.
Attention was also given in the report to geothermal production in the United States, citing information gathered from Geothermal Energy Association’s August U.S. Geothermal Power Production and Development Update. Source: GEA Update, 08/26/08
Learn more about renewable resources.
The Geothermal Energy Association has released a new survey, the U.S. Geothermal Production and Development Update, August 2008.
This report shows continued growth in the number of new geothermal power projects under development in the United States, a 20 percent increase since January of this year. The report identified 103 projects underway in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. When developed, these projects could provide nearly 4,000 MW of new electric power, enough electricity to meet the needs of roughly 4 million homes.
"The surge in new geothermal power development continues," said Karl Gawell, GEA's Executive Director. In January of 2008, GEA released a survey which identified 86 new projects with a potential of 3,368 MW. The new report identified 103 projects, which when completed could have up to 3,979 MW of power capacity. Also, two projects listed as under development in the January survey have since come online.
Current geothermal capacity on-line is 2,957 MW according to the report, and with the new additions, geothermal power could reach nearly 7,000 MW. Given the high reliability and capacity factors for geothermal power, this would meet the household electricity needs of the cities of Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle combined.
Development of these new projects will provide significant economic benefits, according to GEA. "These new projects will result in the infusion of roughly $15 billion in capital investment in the western states and will create 7,000 permanent jobs and more than 25,000 person-years of construction and manufacturing employment," Gawell stated.
The number of geothermal projects has been steadily increasing over the past two years, the report points out. Geothermal power production is headed to meet or exceed recent projections. "In January 2006, The Western Governors Association's Geothermal Task Force projected 15,000 MW of geothermal power on-line by 2025; at the current pace, geothermal production could exceed this estimate," according to Gawell.
The August 2008 results by state are:
Total: 103 geothermal projects; 2885.9-3979.7 MW. Source: Geothermal Energy Association, 08/7/08
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Wind Powering America are making presentations from recent webcasts available for downloading.
For more information, contact Corrie Christol, NREL National Wind Technology Center, 303-384-6962. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 07/28/08
Register today for A Mile-high View of Wind Integration, Oct. 1-3, at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colo. The Utility Wind Integration Group's 2008 Fall Technical Workshop will cover wind integration, application and operation on utility power systems. Topics include industry and technology developments, operating experience with wind and updates on large-scale power system wind integration studies. Meetings of the UWIG User Groups and a technical tour opportunity are also on the schedule
Please note that the room block at the Brown Palace will expire on Sep. 4. Registration for the Vestas Blades plant tour will close on Sep. 9 and no registrations will be accepted for that particular tour after that date. For more information about the workshop, contact Sandy Smith, Utility Wind Integration Group, 865-218-4600 ext. 6141; or fax 865-218-8999. Source: Utility Wind Integration Group, 08/21/08
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published a new report titled "Renewable Energy Price-Stability Benefits in Utility Green Power Programs," authored by Lori Bird and Karlynn Cory of NREL and Blair Swezey of Applied Materials.
The overall success of the voluntary green power market rests on the willingness of large numbers of individual consumers to pay a premium for these electricity products. Accordingly, electric utilities must present a compelling value proposition for their green power products. The stable-price characteristic of renewable energy generation offers an important and appealing benefit for many consumers, particularly as a hedge against increasing fossil fuel prices.
Several approaches exist to provide price stability to green power customers, including (1) establishing a separate green power rate to substitute for a utility's energy or fuel rate, (2) exempting green power customers from fossil fuel-cost adjustment, or (3) revisiting green power price premiums frequently, particularly when base rates are adjusted. This report examines utility experiences when offering the fixed- price benefits of renewable energy in green pricing programs, including the methods utilized and the impact on program participation. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 08/21/08
The National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference is the preeminent annual conference for communicating directly with leading renewable energy industry stakeholders. Join us in Denver, Colo., on Oct. 26-29, 2008, to hear from national and regional experts on important topics:
Influential key players including power marketers, renewable energy developers, retail and wholesale green power suppliers, electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, energy consultants and nonprofit experts are expected to attend. The eighth National Green Power Leadership Awards, presented annually to leaders within the green power industry, will be held in conjunction with the conference. Check out the conference agenda, and register online.
The conference will be held at the Marriot City Center Hotel, 800-444-2206. To obtain the discounted booking rate please identify the conference by mentioning "Renewable Energy" to the hotel representative.
The deadline for sponsors to be included in conference materials is soon approaching. There are several ways for your organization to participate. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Scott Sheckman at 415-561-0213. For general conference information, contact Rachael Terada at 415-561-2135. Source: Green Power Partnership, 08/20/08
Earth Day Network, an international environmental advocacy organization and a recognized leader in the field of carbon footprint measurement, has just released its newest tool to combat climate change: The Ecological Footprint Calculator. Set to debut on Aug. 25, 2008, the Footprint Calculator is intended to raise environmental consciousness in an educational, user-friendly, and fun way.
Created by the originators of the ecological footprint, Global Footprint Network, the calculator provides users with a three-dimensional avatar of their choosing, and situates them on a block in a virtual neighborhood. The user is then taken through a series of questions about her food consumption, energy use, favorite mode of transportation, type of residence, recycling commitment, and spending habits. Using a scroll bar, users can approximate their usage with pithy sayings like, “I’m a farmer’s market friend but I really like potato chips,” indicating, in this case, that she eats local foods often—but not always.
“It’s fun to use and really conveys a powerful message,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “Anyone who logs on to our site can determine what a big impact their unique combination of personal habits has on their environment, and what they can do about it.”
Results are shown first in relative terms; after the Footprint Calculator analyzes a user’s living habits, it tells her how many “planets” would be necessary to sustain human life if everyone lived just like her. The users are also shown how many acres of land and tons of carbon necessary to sustain their lifestyle. They are then given the option of revisiting the quiz to see where they “went wrong,” and given suggestions on how to reduce their carbon footprint.
“I like that it not only suggests ways to change your habits, but also shows the measurable impact small changes on a personal level can create,” adds Rogers.
Earth Day Network’s Ecological Footprint Calculator has been used by tens of millions around the world to evaluate their environmental impact and make lifestyle changes to reduce it. A powerful educational tool aimed to generate critical thinking and inspire younger generations to choose a sustainable lifestyle. Source: Green Media Toolshed, 08/25/08
The Geothermal Resource Council's (GRC) 2008 conference, "Geothermal—Gaining Steam," will take place Oct. 5-8, at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nev. The event promises to be the best yet, with distinguished keynote speakers, technical and poster sessions covering a broad range of timely topics, industry workshops and field trips to nearby geothermal areas and projects.
Register before Sep. 17 to receive the Early-Bird discount. GRC is offering a special discount to electric utility representatives. For more information, contact Geothermal Resources Council, 530-758-2360. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 08/25/08
AWEA is pleased to announce the first-ever event focusing just on utility issues relative to wind power. The AWEA "Utilities and Wind Power" seminar will be held in Palm Desert, Calif., as an all-day event on Nov. 19.
The seminar will focus exclusively on utility issues and will be open only to attendees from electric utilities: IOUs, munis and co-ops. This event will focus primarily on utilities giving presentation to utilities, relating their experiences, best practices, lessons learned and challenges relative to wind power. No other attendees besides electric utilities will be able to attend this seminar.
This seminar will precede the annual "AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium" which will take place at the same location on Nov. 20-21. Due to the expected demand for this event, registration may be limited to two attendees per utility. Register online. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 08/25/08
Presentations from the Draft Discussion Papers for PIER Climate Change Research Plan Update are now available online. Source: California Energy Commission, 08/28/08
Seattle-based Cooler Planet announced today its 10,000th solar customer consultation since launching the service last year — a significant feat given the total national market for photovoltaic solar installations was estimated as 26,000 in 2007.
The company provides free online assessment tools, educational resources, and consultation services to home and business owners considering solar installations. Cooler Planet also partners with a network of solar installers across the country and connects them with pre-screened customers from their area. Read more. Source: Market Watch, 08/28/08
Meet the project developers, investors, lenders, power purchasers, technology experts, legal teams and others who will make geothermal projects happen in the coming year at the second annual Geothermal Finance & Investment Summit, Nov. 17-19, in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Summit is designed to provide the latest intelligence on the market environment for putting together geothermal deals. The players in the market will discuss what they are looking for when they get involved in deals, what future opportunities exist for partners and investors and how to successfully get deals done in 2009 and beyond.
Register by e-mail; phone: 818-888-4444; fax: 818-888-4440 or online. Contact Bruce Haring, 818-888-4444,
to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 08/28/08
Learn more about educational resources.
A bipartisan group of energy policy experts today agreed on the need for a strong national policy to tackle climate change.
Panelists invited by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota applauded the success of existing clean-energy technologies, but they urged a comprehensive energy policy to move the nation forward.
Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) said that individual states have been taking action but that what they are doing is not enough to combat the fundamental challenges surrounding America’s energy needs.
Mike Davis, a former assistant secretary of Energy under President George H.W. Bush, said that the core problem is how Americans frame the issue. The focus, he said, needs to shift from piecemeal approaches to policies based on real outcomes.
Panelists Robert McFarlane, former national security adviser to President Reagan, and James Woolsey, former director of central intelligence under President Clinton, concurred and also discussed how the country has been dependent upon the oil markets for years, and how that has to be meshed with government action. “We have to shape markets,” Woolsey said.
However Pataki, a self-identified “green Republican,” noted that market-based initiatives are a key draw for many Republicans who are skeptical of the notion of climate change and the need for action. “Skeptics come from an underlying distrust of the federal government taking charge of this issue in terms of legislation,” Pataki said.
Woolsey echoed Pataki, suggesting that more Republicans can be motivated to action through political coalition building. Source: Roll Call, 09/01/08
Learn more about legislative activities.
The New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission, the state's public utilities commission, has adopted final rules for the interconnection of small distributed generation (DG). The commission adopted separate rules for generators up to 10 megawatts (MW) and generators larger than 10 MW in capacity. Additional insurance is not required for systems up to 250 kW in capacity. Source: IREC News, 08/21/08
Builders can pass California's solar rebate directly to buyers at closing to use with their down payment or as an interest-rate buy down.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is one of the first mortgage lenders in California to market a new construction solar home program. Wells Fargo will let home builders pass the state's solar rebate directly to buyers at loan closing to use with their down payment or as a permanent interest-rate buy down to lower monthly payments. In the past, builders would simply reduce the price of a house by the amount of the state rebate offered by the California Energy Commission's New Solar Home Partnership and other utility solar rebate programs. Read more. Source: Green Sage e-news, July/Aug. issue
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board has granted Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) a permit to construct and license to operate a 215 mile, 230 kV alternating current international power line from the County of Lethbridge, Alberta, to a substation near Great Falls, Mont. This is the final major Canadian regulatory approval required for the project that will carry power from Montana-based wind farms to Alberta. Final approvals for construction and operations of the line in the U.S. are expected once the final impact assessment by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. DOE is released. (Source: NA Wind, Aug. 20, '08)
For more information, contact: Marc Clark, president, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., 403-264-4465. Source: EP Overviews, 08/25/08
Welcome to Green California! At the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger, California is leading by example on energy efficiency and conservation, sustainability, green building and green purchasing practices.
Through Executive Order S-20-04, known as the "Green Building Initiative," and the accompanying Green Building Action Plan, the governor calls for public buildings to be 20 percent more energy efficient by 2015 and encourages the private sector to do the same.
In addition, the Governor created the Green Action Team to implement sustainable building practices and energy efficiency efforts statewide.
Green California is a gateway for the latest information about how the state of California is working to reduce energy and resource consumption, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and creating healthier environments in which to work, live and learn. Source: Green California, 08/25/08
Competition for renewable energy has whipped up a wind war in the West.
California is the big dog in the fight, reaching into the Northwest to buy large amounts of wind power from Columbia River Gorge projects.
"They're certainly trying to grab it everywhere they can," said Lee Beyer, chairman of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which regulates the state's large utilities.
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and San Francisco's Pacific Gas & Electric are among those securing long-term contracts for hundreds of megawatts of wind power in Oregon and Washington. Read more. Source: Oregon Live, 08/24/08
Energy costs are rising, particularly in rural areas, and New Mexico is rich in renewable energy resources. It is in this context that the New Mexico Rural Renewable Energy Alliance was formed to help get the word out to the state residents about energy conservation and renewable energy opportunities.
"We are a statewide collaborative of state and Federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations that have an interest in reaching consumers who need to know about renewable energy and energy conservation," said Paul Gutierrez, vice president of New Mexico State University's Outreach Services. "These initiatives have come together to set some educational priorities for reaching consumers across the state." Read more. Source: High Plains Midwest Ag Journal, 08/25/08
Wind power advocates in the Town of Lyme win their court battle over the adoption of a zoning ordinance regulating wind power. In July, the citizens group Voters for Wind filed a challenge in the New York Supreme Court claiming that the town board rejected a petition which would have required a three-fourths majority vote to pass the wind regulations.
The State Supreme Court decided the board acted arbitrarily in rejecting the petition, and ruled that the adoption of the law was invalid. Source: News 10, 08/23/08
The world's largest supplier of wind turbines plans to build a $240 million production plant in Pueblo. It will create hundreds of new jobs for the city. And the Vestas Company, based in Denmark, says the completed plant will be the largest of its kind in the world.
The factory will be built south of Pueblo and east of I-25, between the Comanche power plant and the cement plant. It will be the company's first tower factory in the United States; it has three others in Europe.
Governor Bill Ritter was in Pueblo, Friday, as the company formally announced its building plans. Vestas says it will employ up to 550 people. The factory will make about a thousand tower units a year, which will make wind turbines, which are then used to generate electricity. The factory should be up and running in about two years.
Pueblo city council used an undisclosed amount of the half-cent sales tax money to give the company an incentive to move to Pueblo. Council members say the payoff is worth the price.
"The jobs will be good high-paying jobs," council member Randy Thurston says. "It's going to create a motivation for a lot of other small companies to want to move here to Pueblo, and again it's going to put us on the World map."
"Coloradoans benefit because it really is a 21st century industry, and we're I would say the national, some would say the international in growing that industry right now, " said Gov. Bill Ritter.
Vestas recently announced it will also build two more factories in Brighton; it already has a blade factory in Windsor. The company first began producing wind turbines in 1979 and employs about 15,000 people worldwide. Source: KOAA, Pueblo, Colo., 08/23/08
After years of false starts, large-scale solar power is scheduled to come to North Carolina.
Progress Energy is planning a 1.2-megawatt solar farm on 10 acres in Wilmington, to be built at the same complex as the utility's coal-burning power plants, it announced Friday.
The solar farm could generate enough power for about 800 homes on sunny days. It is expected to start generating electricity this year. Read more. Source: Trading Markets, 08/23/08
When T. Boone Pickens made headlines with his public policy campaign and energy plan that includes wind power as its centerpiece, a secondary story came from news that was already months old and known mostly just within the energy industry: the Texas oilman’s company, Mesa Power, earlier had announced plans for a massive, 4,000-MW wind farm.
That project, the scale of which was unheard of in the industry just a few years ago, is actually one of several proposed wind facilities announced recently that would well surpass FPL Energy’s 735-MW Horse Hollow wind farm, currently the largest in the U.S. Each such project has garnered headlines dubbing it “the world’s largest,” a moniker undoubtedly based on comparisons to current leader Horse Hollow.
But those headlines, which refer to specific projects, have not appeared to take into account the other projects simultaneously under development. So while superlatives may make for eye-catching headlines, no wind farm can assume it will claim the title of largest facility, given that several such wind plants are simultaneously in the works in this constantly changing era.
Several of the proposed large-scale facilities are being planned for the mid-section of the U.S., considered to have some of the best wind resources in the country. “With $700 billion going out of the country every year [for foreign oil], we have to look at the resources available to us,” said Pickens. “We have the best wind corridor, from Texas to Canada, in the world.”
Making big plans for those resources are several companies that see opportunity in building “mega wind farms.” Following are some of the recently announced projects.
Late last month, Clipper Windpower, Plc, entered into a 50-50 joint venture (JV) with BP Alternative Energy to develop the Titan wind project, a 5,050-MW proposed wind farm in South Dakota formerly known as Rolling Thunder.The giant project includes a previously announced 1,550-MW South Dakota JV between the two companies, which will be combined with a 3,500-MW contiguous wind resource to form the expanded 5,050-MW JV. As part of the arrangement, the newly formed JV has agreed to enter into a turbine supply agreement for up to 2,020 of Clipper’s 2.5-MW Liberty wind turbines for the project. Development of the Titan project, which is expected to be completed in multiple phases, is underway.
When you start getting used to hearing about 5,000-MW projects, a 909-MW facility may seem like small potatoes but, in fact, Caithness Energy’s Shepherds Flat facility may end up being the one to get built first and claim the largest-project title, at least for a time. The same week in July that Clipper and BP announced their mega-project plans, the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council granted final approval for the wind farm, to be located in Gilliam and Morrow counties. Shepherds Flat would, by itself, more than double Oregon’s current wind energy capacity of 889 MW. The rapidly progressing project reached another major milestone just this week when utility Southern California Edison announced it has entered a contract for all of the facility’s power.
Pickens’s Mesa Power first made news when it said back in June 2007 that it was courting around 250 landowners in the Texas Panhandle in order to develop a “2,000-4,000 MW” wind farm. That suggested a project in its very early stages of development, but then the following May, less than a year later, the company made its big plans suddenly seem very real when it ordered 667 of General Electric’s 1.5-MW turbines for the wind farm, which by then the company was simply calling a 4,000-MW project.
Predating all of those announcements was one by Shell WindEnergy, Inc., and TXU Corp. subsidiary Luminant concerning a joint agreement between the two companies to develop a 3,000-MW wind project in the Texas Panhandle. The project would be located in Briscoe County.
Fellow tycoon Phil Anschutz is the polar opposite of the colorful Pickens in some respects-he hasn’t given an interview since the 1970s-but the two billionaires are interested in the same thing: wind. Anschutz Corp. affiliate Power Company of Wyoming, LLC, has started development work on a 2,000-MW project in Carbon County, Wyo. In addition, Anschutz Corp.’s Transwest Express, LLC, has acquired the rights to develop a 900-mile, high-voltage transmission line to carry electricity from wind facilities in Wyoming to populous southern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
Meanwhile, the industry continues to clamor for what it nee ds in order to actually get such projects built: long-term and stable policy. “We need to have an energy policy,” Pickens told Wind Energy Weekly just prior to initiating his campaign. “We don’t have one now.”
When Pickens announced the turbine purchase, he indicated he is counting on the extension of the Federal production tax credit in order for the project to work. “I believe that Congress will recognize that it is critical not only to this project, but to renewable energy in this country, that they enact a long-term extension of the production tax credits,” he said. “The development of alternative energy projects, especially renewable resources such as wind power, is critical for the future of the country in the face of declining world oil resources. You find an oil field, it peaks and starts declining, and you’ve got to find another one to replace it. It can drive you crazy. With wind, there’s no decline curve.” Source: Carl Levesque, AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 08/25/08
Wind-generated electricity is entering phase two in Story County, Iowa. It brings with it a more than $200,000 windfall to the county. Meanwhile, Ames continues its planning toward a municipal wind farm of its own.
"It's been really good for us," Story County planner Charlie Dissell. "With the economic development the way it is, if it weren't for the wind turbine permits, we'd have a steep decline in permitting. But as it is, our revenue is up."
Dissell said the permit funds are placed in the county's general fund and then distributed around the county.
In 2007, Story County approved permits for 100 wind turbines for Story Wind, LLC and Garden Wind, LLC, both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Florida Power and Light Company, of Juno Beach, Fla. What was called phase one of the wind farm will generate 150 megawatts of renewable energy, located in Warren, Lincoln and Sherman townships in Northeast Story County. Phase one also included a substation, meteorological towers, and an operation and maintenance facility. Read more. Source: Des Moines Register, 08/28/08
YubaNet.com wrote about a new report from The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies called Harvesting California's Renewable Energy Resources: A Green Jobs Business Plan. The report surveyed major studies on solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energies related to potential for jobs in California. It found that if California’s renewable energy portfolio reaches one-third of the total energy consumption of the state by 2020, the state’s economy could benefit by as much a $60 billion and 200,000 jobs.
The state needs new laws and rougher goals, according to the report, along with an updated transmission system, more incentives, and a pricing structure to support development of renewable energy. Source: GEA Update, 08/26/08
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requests proposals for the Global Climate Change Education (GCCE) project. The GCCE is designed to improve the quality of global climate change and Earth system science education at the elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels.
Funded projects are expected to take advantage of NASA's contributions in climate science to enhance students' academic experiences and/or to improve educators' abilities to engage and stimulate their students.
Up to 24 awards anticipated, award range $150K to $500K. A Notice of Intent is required and is due 8/29/08, final proposals due 10/24/08. For more info, contact Diane Clayton. Refer to Sol# NNH08ZNE005N. (Grants.gov 7/18/08). Source: Laurie Brown, 8/21/08
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund request proposals for the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards. This program recognizes the outstanding efforts of students and teachers across the U.S. who are working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. Eight awards are anticipated, with a total of $80K expected to be available. Responses due Nov. 28, 2008. Source: Laurie Brown, 8/21/08
The Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) is accepting proposals for eligible renewable resources, landfill gas supplies, and other renewable energy sources to meet the expected long-term electric power needs of its members.
This RFP is limited to those parties who currently have rights in, own or propose to develop, an eligible renewable resource electric generating facility(ies), own and operate landfill facilities, or have rights to other renewable energy sources which NCPA may use to develop an eligible renewable resource electric generating facility.
All proposals submitted in response to this RFP are due to NCPA no later than Sep. 23, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Prevailing Time. For more information, contact Dana Griffith, 916-781-4219; fax: 916-783-7693. Source: Northern California Power Agency
The Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is presently seeking up to 80 MW of wind energy resources and hopes to seal one or more purchase agreements by April 1, 2009, for electricity flowing into the grid by the end of that year. Proposals where energy is not available until 2010 will also be accepted. Notice of intent to bid is due by Aug. 29, with a deadline for proposals of Oct. 10, 2008. (Source: OPPD Press Release )
Contact: Christene Bywater, OPPD, 402-636-3316. Source: EP Overviews, 08/27/08
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations.
"America is a world leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency," Schafer said. "These projects are good for business, good for the economy, good for jobs and they help secure more self sufficient energy resources for our country."
The grants and loan guarantees are being awarded through USDA Rural Development's Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to support renewable energy projects across a wide range of technologies encompassing biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar and wind energy. It also provides support for energy efficiency improvements, helping recipients reduce energy consumption and improve operations. Of the $35 million announced today, $27.5 million are grants and $7.4 million are guaranteed loans.
The funding will support a variety of energy-production and energy-saving efforts. For example, Chad Brandt of Oakes, N.D.; has been selected to receive a $67,374 combination grant and loan to replace his existing grain dryer with a new, more energy-efficient model that is expected to lower energy costs by more than 20 percent.
In Monona, Iowa, D.J. Keehner Farms, Inc. has been selected to receive a $11,561 grant to replace a propane heating system with a more energy-efficient geothermal heating system, which is expected to reduce energy costs by 78 percent.
A & L Lawson Partnership, in Carencro, La., has been selected for a $14,980 grant to purchase and install energy-efficient electric motors to replace and power a diesel irrigation well. The project is expected to reduce energy consumption by 48 percent.
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the award agreement.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments.
Learn more about funding solicitations.
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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