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Toronto Cooperative Selling Out First Wind Project
A Canadian renewable energy cooperative has sold more than 85% of the shares in a wind turbine that it plans to construct in downtown Toronto. WindShare, a project developed by the Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative (TREC), has raised approximately $680,000 from more than 350 Toronto residents. TREC, founded in 1997 by the North Toronto Green Community, is aiming to develop new renewable energy cooperatives and spawn an emerging community-based green power movement in Ontario. TREC also provides renewable energy co-op management services and renewable energy advocacy and education, and hopes to provide energy conservation products and services to its affiliated co-ops. Under the WindShare program, Toronto residents are invited to purchase a minimum of five shares for $100 each, up to a maximum of $5,000 for individual investors. Eight thousand shares are available, to raise $800,000. Members will then receive the net income generated by the sale of their green power to Toronto Hydro, which will in turn offer renewable energy to its customers. The WindShare turbine will be owned in a 50/50 partnership with Toronto Hydro, which has signed a contract for all of its power output. Toronto Hydro plans to offer the wind power as a green power product called City Source Green Power. For an additional $5 per month, Toronto residents will ensure the generation of 55 kWh. The WindShare project is intended to profile wind power as a solution to smog and global climate change in a highly visible setting in Canada's largest city. According to TREC, the project is also intended to profile community-based initiatives for the development of renewable energy at a time when government-led initiatives are moving away from support of new technologies. For more information, contact Bryan Young, Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative, phone (416) 977-6953, e-mail byoung@trec.on.ca, Web site http://www.windshare.ca . Source: Windletter 11/26/2002.
EPA Green Power Partnership (GPP) and Green-e Propose Changes to Recognition Standards
Two memos regarding proposed changes to the two green power programs were sent out to stakeholders and interested parties in early November. The first memo proposed changes to the Green-e secondary logo use standards -- that is, the amount of Green-e certified energy product an end-use customer must purchase before they can use the Green-e logo in their own right. Green-e is proposing to adopt the same minimum green power purchase thresholds used by the Environmental Protection Agency - Green Power Partnership, which vary according to size of annual electricity load ranging from 2% for the largest purchasers to 15% for smaller purchasers. The second memo was from the EPA Green Power Partnership requesting input regarding a proposed increase in the new renewables requirement for green power purchaser recognition (to 50% from today's required 5%). These memos are being circulated together because they address different aspects of a central question facing the green power community: what are reasonable quantities of new and existing renewable resources that should be purchased in order to quality for recognition? The Green Power Partnership and Green-e have worked nationally to boost the development of green power markets: EPA by launching a recognition program targeted at the largest industrial/commercial customers; Green-e by developing green power product certification standards using regional stakeholder processes throughout the country. EPA has adopted Green-e standards for determining eligible renewable resources for the Green Power Partnership. Green-e shares with the Green Power Partnership the vision of standardizing green power procurement as part of best practice environmental management. Synchronizing standards will be a step towards achieving that vision and will provide a meaningful benchmark to help drive large customer purchases of renewable resources. To comment on these proposed changes please contact: Gabe Petlin, Green-e, at gpetlin@resource-solutions.org, or Kurt Johnson, EPA GPP, at Johnson.Kurt@epamail.epa.gov. The comment period has been extended to December 31, 2002. Source: Green-e Monthly - November 2002
For more information: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/ or http://www.nwlink.com/van/greenlnk.html
MEAN Earns EPA Award for Wind Project
The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska received a Pollution Prevention Environmental Excellence award Sept. 20, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during ceremonies in Kansas City, Mo. MEAN is the wholesale electricity supply organization of the Lincoln-based Nebraska Municipal Power Pool. NMPP Energy Chief Executive Officer Richard Duxbury said MEAN was selected to receive the EPA Region 7 award for construction of Nebraska's first and largest wind farm near Kimball, Neb., and its work in the area of energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy resources. Project benefits ratepayers: "We are indeed proud to be named as a recipient for this prestigious award. The MEAN Wind Project at Kimball will be a great benefit to the environment and a cost-effective source of renewable energy for our member communities and their ratepayers," Duxbury said. The 10.5-megawatt wind project consisting of seven turbines, located three miles northwest of Kimball, began commercial operation Oct. 1. The project generates about 2 to 3 percent of MEAN's total energy requirements. Each turbine generates up to 1,500 kilowatts and cost about $2 million to construct. The annual output of the project will provide energy for nearly 4,000 homes.
MEAN formally dedicated the project on Nov. 13. Exceeding expectations: NMPP Communications Manager Bob Selzer noted the Kimball wind project has exceeded the company's own expectations. A total of 25 Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming communities have agreed to purchase a portion of their future power needs from the wind project at Kimball. The Nebraska towns of Alliance, Ansley, Arnold, Bayard, Benkelman, Bridgeport, Broken Bow, Burwell, Callaway, Curtis, Gering, Imperial, Kimball, Mitchell, Morrill, Oxford, Red Cloud, Sidney, Stuart, West Point and Wood River all signed agreements to buy power from the Kimball turbines. Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Lyons, Colo. and Gillette, Wyo., also signed up. Each has committed to supplementing its power supply needs with wind energy. Several more towns in Nebraska and Colorado are also considering including wind energy in their power resource portfolio. A commitment to renewable, clean energy: Duxbury said, "The governing body of each of these municipal communities should be commended for committing to provide an environmentally clean form of energy. The MEAN wind project at Kimball will be a great benefit to the environment and will be a cost-effective source of renewable energy for these communities and their ratepayers." "Wind energy is a viable alternative for a portion of our electric generation needs," said Bill Leung, MEAN chief operating officer. "With this project, MEAN will continue to be a leader in the energy field. We are very happy to have exceeded our expectations with the number of communities who signed the agreements for energy from the Kimball wind project." The project is the largest wind farm in Nebraska, according to Leung and was built by the Tennessee Valley Infrastructure Group http://www.tvigroup.com . Source: E-mail from Phil Dougherty, WPA Program Manager, 11/26/2002.
Environmental Power, VPPSA Enter Into MOU
Environmental Power Corporation (OTCBB: POWR) and Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which outlines key terms and conditions to be included in a more formal agreement covering construction, sale and operation of anaerobic digester/electric generation facilities in New England and New York. The goal of the MOU is to develop a plan whereby digesters, to be installed by Environmental Power and owned by VPPSA, will extract methane from dairy farm wastes and utilize it to generate renewable, "green" electricity. VPPSA provides wholesale power to municipal and cooperative electric utilities in New England. Joseph E. Cresci, Chairman and CEO of Environmental Power stated: "This MOU is an important first step in the establishment of a relationship between Environmental Power and VPPSA which will not only benefit the parties themselves but would bring real economic, environmental and energy benefits to the region. Together, we can improve the economics of regional dairy farms while removing thousands of tons of greenhouse gases from the air and reducing water pollution risk from animal wastes." "We look forward to signing a formal sales agreement between Environmental Power and VPPSA and especially to the commencement of facility installations. We are working with numerous farms in the region and hope to be inviting some or all of them to participate in this project." "This proposed project is in keeping with our corporate mission of 'Doing Well By Doing Good'. It is clear that in the business environment of today, corporations should and will step to the forefront to address a number of society's problems. In doing so, they will be profitable and society will benefit as well." Environmental Power holds the exclusive North American license for a highly efficient anaerobic digestion technology that produces firm, peak power from the methane gas extracted from dairy farm manure. The Company's technology has been proven through operation on over 25 European farms for the last 15 years. Environmental Power is targeting its proposed anaerobic digestions systems to animal feeding operations in the U.S. with an estimated initial target market of approximately $6.7 billion and estimates initial and expanded market potential to exceed $14 billion. Source: Environmental Power Release 11/1/2002.
107th Congress Ends With No Energy Bill, Renewable Fuel Standard
Although the 107th Congress returned to Washington following the November elections, the pending change of control in the United States Senate persuaded Congressional leaders to put off most issues until after the new 108th Congress is sworn in next January. While Congress did pass legislation creating a Department of Homeland Security and a continuing resolution to fund the government, they postponed work on appropriations bills, the energy bill, and other issues until next year. Now energy legislation must be reintroduced and work its way through both the House and Senate again. However, leaders from both parties agree that progress on an energy bill this year will help move the process forward in 2003. Both Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and incoming Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott have said that an energy bill will be high on the agenda next year. "Looking back, this was not a wasted effort," said Ken Johnson, spokesman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "We have a road map in place now, and after months of very difficult negotiations we know where the hairpin turns are located. As a result, we expect a lot smoother ride in 2003." Included in the energy bill was the comprehensive fuels agreement, which would have banned MTBE, eliminated the federal reformulated gasoline oxygen standard, enacted clean air anti-backsliding provisions, and established a renewable fuels standard promoting ethanol and biodiesel.
The fuels agreement received broad support from a diverse set of groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Lung Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and many other organizations. RFA president Bob Dinneen stated: "Frankly, it's incomprehensible that Congress was unable to complete an energy bill to reduce oil imports from the Middle East, including Iraq, at the same time we are preparing to put our sons and daughters in harms way in that very region. The fuels agreement and ethanol continue to enjoy strong bipartisan, bicameral support. Further, the need to address water-polluting MTBE and to promote renewable fuels will not go away - it will only intensify." The American Petroleum Institute noted it was "disappointed that this Congress was unable to complete action on the comprehensive energy bill. The need for this legislation continues to be critical. We urge the new Congress to move as soon as possible in the new year to send the president balanced legislation to secure reliable and affordable energy." "We are committed to working with our allies who helped us reach this agreement and with our friends in Congress and in the White House to seek early action on legislation next year," added National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Fred Yoder. Jon Doggett, NCGA vice president of public policy concluded: "The bill is not dead, it's simply in stasis until next year. Finishing the bill should be among the top priorities for Congress next year." Source: RFA Release 11/26/2002.
Geothermal Power Plant in Northern California Gains Approval
The U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service gave their approval yesterday for the development of a 48-megawatt geothermal power plant in Siskiyou County, California, near the state's northern border. Calpine Corporation will develop the plant, to be located at Telephone Flat, near Medicine Lake in the ModocNational Forest. To connect the plant to the power transmission system, Calpine will also build a 13-mile transmission line. The route for that line was modified to avoid an area of the Medicine Lake Highlands designated as a Traditional Cultural District and considered sacred to local Indian tribes. See the Department ofInterior press release at: http://www.doi.gov/news/021126a.htm. Proposed development of the site dates back to 1997, when CalEnergy Corporation submitted an application, which was ultimately rejected in May 2000. Calpine later acquired CalEnergy, which had filed a lawsuit to continue the project. In April 2002, Calpine and the U.S. government agreed to stay the litigation and reassess the decision, which led to final approval of the project. See the Record of Decision, in PDF format only, on the California Bureau of Land Management Web site at: http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/pdfs/medlake/TelephoneFlatROD_1.pdf. Geothermal development in the Medicine Lake area continues to be controversial with local Indian tribes. In late September, theInternational Indian Treaty Council adopted a resolution that opposed geothermal development in the area. See the resolution at: http://www.treatycouncil.org/new_page_571111121.htm. Source: EREN Network News 11/26/2002.
100-unit Affordable Housing Project installs Solar Power
Two low-income housing developments on Potrero Avenue are going solar with a massive renovation that includes conversion to photovoltaic energy. Though unusual in its scale, the shift to solar power is nearly par for the course in Richmond, which leads Contra Costa County in solar-powered homes, according to the 2000 U.S. Census*. The 100-unit Potrero buildings, originally funded by the federal Housing and Urban Development Department, are now owned by Community Builders Group of Pasadena, but will remain home to the same low-income residents. "This application (of solar panels) will take 75 percent off their energy bills," said Michael Cordell, whose Ventura-based Solar Electrical Systems is installing the rooftop panels this week. "It also insulates the tenants from increases." Many people think of solar energy as the passive heating of water, largely because grants were available to install those systems in the 1970s, Cordell said. With photovoltaic systems, modules exposed to sunlight turn the light energy into direct current, or DC electricity. It is then converted into an alternating current, or AC electricity, which is fed into a building's electrical system -- and into the city's power grid.
While the technology has been around since the 1950s, oil companies fought the application. But Cordell said the fight's over. "Now, every oil company has a 'green division,'" he said. "We've taken the country kicking and screaming into the future." "That sounds so great," Councilwoman Maria Viramontes said of the project. "We're interested in putting something on the library. The Alameda County Sheriff did it on the jail (in Dublin), and it has worked out very well for them." Installing a photovoltaic system costs about $100,000 for an average-size commercial building. But with state and federal rebates of up to 70 percent plus tax credits and accelerated depreciation the payback begins in less than five years. Better yet, surplus photovoltaic energy can be collected and sold to the utility. "I chuckle to myself when I go on vacation," Cordell said. "I'm just building up energy reserves that I can sell. If all the commercial buildings in Richmond went solar, you could unplug the grid." The Potrero sites, which Cordell described as "electrically complex," cost closer to $400,000. Former Pinole City Councilman Roy Swearingen and his partner, Rob Gold, have been pushing cities to see the light. "I've been excited about renewable energy for ages," said Gold, president of Richmond-based Swearingen Systems, which designs, develops, finances, installs and operates photovoltaic systems in large commercial buildings. Swearingen installs the expensive systems for no money down on a lease option that works well for nonprofit organizations or for businesses that do not have funds available for capital outlay.
Both men say their business has taken off at a gallop in the last year. "We are seeing more people express an interest, but they're only expressing an interest because of the economics," Gold said. "It's really taken off since last summer's energy crisis got everyone focused on their energy bills," Cordell agreed. "And of course, people's energy bills never go down." The Million Solar Roofs initiative, the pet project of former President Bill Clinton, has spurred businesses, municipalities and school districts to embrace solar energy through tax incentives and rebates. Its goal: To place one million solar roofs on public and private buildings by 2010. Department of Energy officials say the program will reduce pollution by generating few greenhouse gas emissions. The department is making funds available to install photovoltaics and solar thermal heating systems. People are exposed to more photovoltaic energy than they realize, Cordell said: "Every quarter-mile of freeway, there's an emergency phone with nine little cells on top," he said. Source: Solar e-Clips 11/26/2002.
Midwest Grain Processors Begin Production of Farmer-owned Ethanol Plant
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) congratulated the farmer-owners of Midwest Grain Processors (MGP) for the completing construction of Iowa's largest farmer-owned ethanol plant and beginning production. "Midwest Grain Processors marks the record twelfth new ethanol plant to open this year - nine of which are owned by farmers," said Bob Dinneen, RFA president. "Increasingly farmers are joining together in enterprises like MGP to capture the value-added worth of their commodities. I congratulate the farmer-owners of MGP and look forward to working with them in the future." Midwest Grain Processors, the cornerstone of an agricultural industrial park near Lakota, Iowa, will process over 16 million bushels of corn into 45 million gallons of ethanol and 135,000 tons of distillers dried grains (DDG) annually. With the construction complete, the plant employs 32 full-time workers. "We're very proud to have taken this project from conception to production in less than three years," said Dave Nelson, MGP president. "I think that says a lot about the commitment of the more than 1000 farmer-owners. And our design/construction partners worked with us to ensure the plant startup was on time and went smoothly." Fagen, Inc., the Granite Falls, Minnesota design-build contractor, spearheaded the construction and incorporated a process design provided by ICM of Colwich, Kansas. Currently, 69 ethanol plants nationwide have the capacity to produce 2.7 billion gallons annually. There are 9 additional ethanol plants under construction. Source: RFA Release 11/25/2002.
For more information on Renewable Resources go to: http://www.eren.doe.gov/repis/
Consumer's Choice Council
Founded in 1997, the Consumer's Choice Council is a non-profit association of 66 environmental, consumer, and human rights organizations from 25 different countries, dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting human rights and basic labor standards through ecolabeling. Its common goal is to ensure that consumers in the U.S. and around the world have the information they need to purchase products that are produced in more environmentally sustainable and socially just ways. The Council's core objectives include: advocating independent, third-party labeling of consumer products; supporting efforts in the U.S. Congress and Administration to facilitate environmentally-preferable procurement and recycling by the federal government; and working with the U.S. Trade Representative, the World Trade Organization, and non-governmental organizations in the U.S. and around the world to strengthen and enforce environmental considerations and internationally-recognized worker rights in the conduct of international trade. For more information see: http://www.consumerscouncil.org/.
Energy Week Energizes Colorado Community
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), a Colorado electric cooperative, astutely leveraged several energy efficiency activities during October into an Energy Week of events. Over 500 people participated in several energy efficiency education activities presented during Oct. 14-19 in Montrose, Colo., a town of about 25,000 residents. The events included DOE Million Solar Roof sponsored workshops for consumers and community leaders, an Energy Expo featuring 25 businesses and organizations, a GeoExchange Home Tour, plus consumer and builder-oriented presentations by Doug Rye, the host of the nationally syndicated "Home Remedies" radio show. The activities coincided with a recently announced electric rate increase, the second in two years as a result of wholesale rate increases from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. To jointly promote the activities, DMEA produced a 20-page newspaper insert with financial help from area businesses and regional organizations. The Western Slope Home, Business and Community Energy Guide for Fall/Winter 2002 included news and features about energy initiatives related to photovoltatics, ground source heat pumps,fuel cells, bioenergy, Energy Star tips, business lighting retrofits, home construction practices, and more. The Guide was edited by Tom Polikalas of DMEA and Ed Thomas of Market Development Group. Copies of the insert were printed and distributed in two local newspapers and in high-traffic areas like community centers. The overall production costs were significantly lower than if the co-op had simply bought newspaper ad space, or printed and distributed the guide on its own. Find out more about Energy Week at: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9w8yntn6.ippopee6.bm6cotn6&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmea.com%2Fnews%2Fenergyguidecontents.htm . Source: E-mail from Ed Thomas 11/26/2002.
For more information on Educational Resources go to: http://www.thegateway.org
DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative
DOE announced last week its intent to launch its own initiative to address climate change, and is seeking ideas and statements of interest from those who may wish to participate. Under the National Climate Change Technology Initiative, DOE is considering funding research that could yield reductions or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions; greenhouse gas capture and sequestration; capture and conversion of greenhouse gases to some beneficial use; or enhanced monitoring and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, inventories, and fluxes. For now, DOE is just seeking outlines of ideas, concepts, technologies, or technical approaches that could meet the President's climate change goals, but if the initiative is pursued, it will involve a competitive solicitation involving the award of tens of millions of dollars over multiple years. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02245.htm .
President Bush: According to a letter sent in early September to President Bush by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, the high-priority items now being pursued by the initiative include hydrogen-based energy systems, biofuels, low-speed wind turbines, zero energy buildings, carbon sequestration, forest management, and agricultural land management. In a separate effort, the agencies are also aggressively pursing improvements in the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases program. See the letter on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Web site at:http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/climateletter.htm. As explained in that letter, the National Climate Change Technology Initiative is one tine of a three-pronged U.S. strategy to address climate change, the other two tines being the Climate Change Research Initiative and increased international cooperation on climate change and clean energy technologies. One result of that strategy is a new draft strategic plan for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, which combines the new Climate Change Research Initiative with the ongoing activities of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Along with continued inquiries into the science of climate change, the program aims to develop decision support tools that include detailed analyses of projected environmental, economic and energy system outcomes of various scenarios for the future. The program is accepting public comments on the strategic plan until January 13th and is holding a public workshop in Washington, D.C., in early December. See the draft strategic plan at: http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/stratplan2003/default.htm . Source: EREN Network News 11/26/2002.
For more information on legislative activities go to: http://thomas.loc.gov
Global Distributed Generation Could Approach 300,000 MW by 2011: ABI
Worldwide distributed generation capacity could increase to 300,000 megawatts by 2011 from slightly more than 20,000 MW currently, according Distributed Generation: Global Market Analysis Technology Assessment and Outlook, a new report from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI). "DG technologies from small gas turbines to fuel cells could be utilized to decrease the burden on current electricity infrastructure, giving Inure flexibility to end-users," report author and AIB Director of Energy Research Atakan Ozbek said. "Our research shows that the need for distributed generation is unambiguous and emerging technologies will have to be supported by the U.S. government in order to lay out the necessary regulatory framework and provide crucial early incentives to clean technologies." The incumbent technologies for distributed generation applications are reciprocating engines and small gas turbines. ABI's market study analyzes emerging distributed generation technologies from fuel cells to micro turbines, to wind turbines. Summary discussions are provided of the current regulatory practices, tax practices, environmental regulations, and business considerations affecting the present and future uptake of distributed generation technologies. An analysis of worldwide market segmentation and forecasts for DC is included. Call ABI at (516)624-3113. Source: Solar and Renewable Energy Outlook 11//1/2002.
Energy Information Agency Presents More Optimistic Forecast of Renewable Poduction
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has a much more optimistic view of how much total power generation from renewable resources will increase between 2002 and 2003 than it did just three months ago, according to an SREO analysis. In July, EIA estimated that total renewables power generation from electric utilities and non-utility power generators would jump by approximately 3.6% over the one-year span (SREO, Aug. 1, 2002, p. 176). In the latest EIA short-term energy forecast, the agency predicted a 10.8% increase over the same period. EIA further sees a larger increase in total renewable energy demand between 2002 and 2003 than it did three months ago. Whereas EIA in July predicted a 4% jump in total renewables demand over the period, the agency revised its expectation to 7.9% in the latest forecast. EIA also revised upward its prognostication for non-hydro renewables supply in the non-utility generation sector, from 78.3 billion kilowatt-hours predicted last summer for 2003 to 96.6 billion kWh. Access EIA's complete Short-Term Energy Outlook at website www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub. Source: Solar and Renewable Energy Outlook 11//1/2002.
Solar-Energy Rresearch Heats Up in Santa Cruz
In a UC Santa Cruz physics laboratory, researcher Sue Carter eyes a small vial containing grains of fluffy, red plastic. In nearby Monterey, her colleague Greg Smestad smears berry juice on a glass slide. Together, the scientists - among a handful of solar-technology researchers in the San Francisco Bay Area - are helping respond to the challenge thrown down Sept. 12 when Gov. Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 1078 requiring California to generate 20 percent of its retail energy electricity from renewables by 2017. The bill, the strongest of its kind in the country, would double the existing use of wind, solar and other renewable power sources. Lauded by environmentalists, the bill is coupled with SB 1038, which promises $62.5 million to solar research and development in the next five years. "This is the largest renewable energy fund by far in the U.S.," said Ralph Cavanagh of the Natural Resources Defense Council. "It accounts for about half of all the other states combined. It's a substantial investment." After the oil crisis of 1973, research on solar technology exploded and with 25 years of research and improvements on the manufacturing process, the cost of silicon photovoltaics has been reduced dramatically from $15 per kilowatt hour in 1977 to about 24 cents per kwh today. It's still not low enough to compete with coal, nuclear or natural gas, however - an average PG&E customer pays between 10 and 24 cents per kwh. The challenge to cheaper solar-generated electricity is not how well solar cells, or photovoltaics, convert sunlight to electricity, said Smestad. Solar cells only need to be about 5 percent efficient to provide a reasonable balance between the size of the panel and the power it produces. "We have 15 percent efficient commercial solar cells," said Smestad. "The challenge is to figure out the physics so that we can make it cheaper." This challenge may require a switch to completely new types of materials. The vast majority of solar panels today are made of silicon, the workhorse of the semiconductor industry. It makes for highly efficient, stable solar cells, but conventional silicon must be fabricated and deposited at high temperatures and low pressures, an inherently expensive process. In response, researchers are working on a variety of cheaper materials. Some are transparent or semi-transparent, offering the possibility of windows that can produce electric power. Others are flexible, like plastic, and so may be used in clothing or rolled out in sheets. "We have a tendency to think, the public, that we have everything that can be had in terms of technology," said Smestad.
Carter works with polymers - plastics - that can conduct electricity: It is surprising, when you think about it, that a plastic could conduct electricity at all; your credit card doesn't conduct, neither do the tires of your car. Wires are insulated with rubber and plastics, both polymers, because these materials do not conduct. But specially designed polymers behave in interesting ways. The consistency of flour or fluffy hair, they dissolve in solvents to form liquidy solutions that can be spread out into films thinner than a soap bubble and deposited on flexible plastic sheets. These materials can be tweaked to emit or absorb almost every color that can be seen, and may form the basis of the next generation of flat-panel televisions, cell phone displays and such futuristic applications as electronic paper. This summer, Philips launched the first such product - the Philishave - an electric razor with a polymer display that indicates battery life. Polymers also hold great promise for solar cell applications, because they're cheap. Polymers are liquid and may be screen-printed or ink-jet printed at room temperature and pressure using the same basic technology as we use to make T-shirts, said Carter. This brings the hypothetical cost to 2 to 7 cents per kwh, as compared to 10 to 24 cents for fossil fuels. So why aren't polymer photovoltaics coating our homes and businesses? At this point, said Carter, they aren't tough enough. These materials degrade in strong sunlight and so last a year or two. Commercial solar panels for residential applications need to be stable for about 10 years, said Smestad. Polymer cells are also plagued by problems of efficiency - how well they convert sunlight to electric power. They must improve by about four times over their current performance to be commercially viable, Carter said. While Carter struggles with improving the polymer cells, Smestad, formerly of the Monterey Institute for International Studies and his colleague, Jin Zhang of UC Santa Cruz, are working on a different type of solar device. Smestad and Zhang were awarded one of only a few research grants available through the California Energy Commission to improve the performance of Gretzel cells. Instead of polymers or silicon, a Gretzel cell uses a semiconductor commonly found in toothpaste and sunscreen - titanium dioxide.
A glass sheet is coated with bump nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and then dipped in die. A special liquid known as an electrolyte, which helps replenish the supply of electrons, is poured over this bumpy surface and soaks in like a sponge. The whole cell is then sealed. When light knocks an electron free from the titanium dioxide, it travels to the positive side of the cell, creating an electric current. The construction is so simple that Smestad has developed a kit for students to make a cell out of berry juice, cheap titanium dioxide and commercial iodine. The cell is strong enough to power a tiny fan. So, why use petroleum instead of Gretzel cells? The trouble is that even with the best seal, eventually, liquid evaporates. Polymer and Gretzel cells are not the only technologies that promise to reduce energy costs. At UC Berkeley, physicist Paul Alivisatos is investigating a hybrid approach to get around the efficiency problem faced by Carter's group. He blends nanoparticles - particles on the order of one-billionth of a meter - of silicon-like semiconductors with polymers. Once incoming light knocks an electron free from an atom, the electron's journey across the cell is hastened by the presence of the nanoparticles. Smestad is adamant that the future of solar technology depends upon a concerted research effort, and government funding to support that research. Current government spending on renewables is just pennies to every dollar spent on coal or nuclear energy, not to mention the defense budget. "Every cell that is coming out is showing us one thing - that we haven't scratched the surface with what can be done with low-cost solar cells," he said. "I'm not getting any younger, and there are new discoveries that need to be made." Contact Stephanie Chasteen at jcopeland@santa-cruz.com. For more information on Gretzel cells and solar cell kit, visit http://www.solideas.com/solrcell/cellkit.html. Source: Solar e-Clips 11/26/2002.
WV Residents Oppose NedPower Wind Project
During a recent West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing on a proposed wind farm in the Mount Storm area, local residents expressed strong opposition to the project, citing concerns with the aesthetic and environmental impact of the turbines. "There's nothing more beautiful than the Alleghany Front skyline," said Grant County, WV resident Jamie Willis. "Adding to it will only take something away. This will all disappear with wind farms." Officials with NedPower Mount Storm said the $300-million project will include 200 wind turbines and create between 15 and 20 permanent jobs. Company officials noted that NedPower has signed leases with all but seven of the 25 landowners involved in the project. West Virginia Highlands Conservancy senior vice president Judy Rodd warned that the wind project could decrease property values. Although the group has not formally announced its opposition to the project, it has sent a letter to PSC asking that the commission consider the "visual and noise effects" of the turbines on recreational areas, the impact of the blades on migratory birds and the potential effect of road building and construction on local streams. "Simply put, giant, visually intrusive wind farms are not a beautiful rural landscape," said Rodd. "They are quite close to the antithesis." Source: Charleston Gazette via EIN Renewable Energy Today 11/19/2002.
Survey Results Indicate Maine Customers Interested in Renewable EnergyThe Independent Energy Producers of Maine commissioned a survey to determine voter attitudes toward state energy policy and Maine's electricity restructuring law, as the group wants more of Maine's electricity supply to come from renewable resources. The results indicate that most customers-88percent of the respondents-are unaware that they have a choice in selecting an energy supplier. Approximately 75 percent of respondents said they would like to have the option to purchase power generated from renewable resources. The group is urging the state legislature to approve a proposalto include a check-off box on customer utility bills allowing them to choose a renewable energy supplier for standard offer service. Source: Portland Press Herald, November 19, 2002 via AWEA Electricity Restructuring - Weekly Update November 22, 2002.
For more information on marketing and research go to: http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/emaa/index.html
USDA Rural Development
Welcome to USDA Rural Development. Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through its programs, they've recently announced the approval of 35 value-added agricultural product market development grants in 22 states, totaling more than $7.2 million. The grants are designed to foster the development of alternative energy sources while spurring economic growth and job creation in rural communities. For more information on the USDA Rural Development Program, see their web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/. Source: Solar and Renewable Energy Outlook 11//1/2002.
CEC Energy Innovations Notice of Awards
The California Energy Commission has released the listing of awards for its Energy Innovations Small Grant Program - Solicitation 02-01, Approved by the California Energy Commission on November 20, 2002. See the list at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/smallgrant/2002-11-20_awards_02-01.html. Source: E-mail from CEC 1/26/2002.
For more information on funding solicitations go to: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solicitations.html
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