Green Power

Missouri City to Use 100 percent Wind Power

A new 5-MW wind project planned for the city of Rock Port, Mo., will provide enough electricity to meet 100 percent of the city's needs. The Loess Hills Wind Farm will consist of four Suzlon 1.25-MW turbines and will be directly connected to the city's electric distribution system. The Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission, the joint action agency serving Rock Port and 55 other municipalities, has entered into a contract with developer Wind Capital Group for the wind project output. John Deere Wind Energy is providing the wind turbines and financing for the project. Source: Green Power Marketing Monthly Update--February 2007.

Gander Mountain Makes Landmark Renewable Energy Purchase

Leading outdoor lifestyle retailer, Gander Mountain, announced today it was purchasing renewable energy to offset 100 percent of the electricity used in all its Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Colorado stores as well as their St. Paul, Minn., headquarters. This landmark purchase of renewable energy credits is the largest by a retailer in the state of Minn. This purchase is also a first among outdoor lifestyle retailers. "Gander Mountain has a long tradition of supporting conservation efforts and we are expanding that commitment to renewable energy," said Mark Baker, president and CEO of Gander Mountain.

As a facet of its "Keeping the Outdoors Safe for Tomorrow" program, Gander Mountain is purchasing 17,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy credits from renewable energy facilities including wind farms and biomass facilities. This purchase of renewable energy from domestic sources in rural communities will avoid more than 23 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution in 2007. To have the same impact, more than 2,000 cars would have to be taken off the road, or more than 3,100 acres of trees would have to be planted, according to statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty applauded Gander Mountain's decision to support renewable energy. "It is gratifying that a company based here in St. Paul is the first outdoor retailer to purchase renewable energy for 100 percent of the electricity it uses in Minnesota," said Governor Pawlenty.

This purchase of renewable power is made possible by renewable energy credits. Since it is physically impossible to deliver electricity straight from a renewable energy facility to Gander Mountain stores, renewable energy credits make purchasing renewable power possible. RECs ensure that the amount of electricity the company uses is replaced onto the power grid with clean, renewable energy. Renewable energy producers sell RECs to better compete with fossil fuels, allowing consumers to choose clean, renewable energy.

Gander Mountain has chosen Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy as its supplier of RECs. Renewable Choice Energy is a leading national provider that is building the market for clean and renewable sources of energy. "Renewable Choice Energy is excited to be working with Gander Mountain to make this important renewable energy purchase possible," said Quayle Hodek, Renewable Choice Energy's chief executive officer. "Gander Mountain has answered the call for a leader to demonstrate that renewable energy is ready for the mainstream," he added. For more information, contacts Tim Martin, Gander Mountain, at 651-325-4300 x 4642, or Ted Rose, Renewable Choice Energy, at 303-468-0405 x 222.  Source: Tim Martin, Gander Mountain, 03/01/2007.

For more information: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/index.shtml

Renewable Energy Technologies

NMSU Installs Info Unit at Solar Power Plant

New Mexico State University's Institute for Energy and the Environment recently completed installation of a data acquisition system and information kiosk at PNM's new Sunflower solar panel array at Algodones. The 23-kilowatt photovoltaic generating facility is located near Interstate 25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The location was chosen to increase public awareness that a clean alternative, renewable energy resource is being used by the state's largest utility. The array was designed to resemble environmentally friendly sunflowers. "The data acquisition system installed at the facility is a relatively simple one that monitors the power output of each of the six power inverters," said Corey Asbill, engineer at the Southwest Technology Development Institute, a unit of the IEE in the NMSU College of Engineering.

An inverter converts DC energy into AC energy to inject onto the electric grid, a large system of interconnected power plants and transmission infrastructure. PNM is part of the Western grid, which connects 14 states, two Canadian provinces, and portions of one Mexican state. "The data provide a weekly average output based on weather conditions and the amount of sunlight available," Asbill said. "The information kiosk was installed to augment public tours of the facility." 

The kiosk shows real-time individual and total output of each "sunflower" panel, among other elements shown in a pleasing visual manner. "This project is in keeping with the national initiative of fulfilling solar energy's promise by diversifying the overall energy supply as demand increases," said IEE Director Abbas Ghassemi. "As we reduce our dependence on outside fossil fuels, other benefits include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, which ultimately improves our quality of life." 

The sun shines an average of 350 days per year in New Mexico, making solar energy production a viable option. At peak performance, the PNM facility is capable of generating 25 kilowatts of electricity. PNM estimates the facility will generate about 41,000 kilowatthours of electricity a year, enough to fully power about six average PNM customers. The facility will produce the most electricity when it is most needed--during hot summer afternoons when customers are running air conditioners to cool their homes and businesses. The facility has 22 separate "solar sunflower" arrays, a design named for its flower-like appearance. There are four photovoltaic panels per array and each array represents about 1.15 kilowatts of potential generating capacity. The arrays are each 10 feet across. The photovoltaic panels for the facility were manufactured in the United States. PNM contracted with a New Mexico-based company to install the arrays with the assistance of students from a renewable energy program at San Juan College in Farmington.

PNM contracted with SWTDI to install the data-acquisition system and information kiosk. SWTDI is a renewable energy research and technology development center, and one of the three charter members of the NMSU Institute for Energy and the Environment. IEE also includes WERC: A Consortium for Environmental Education and Technology Development and the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. For more information, contact Ghassemi at 505-646-2038. Source:  Las  Cruces Sun-News, 03/05/2007.

Companies Cash In On Slash Piles

It used to be the stuff that went up in smoke after logging companies finished a job in the woods. Those tree tops, saplings, branches and needles loggers call slash were little more than a nuisance to be piled up and burned. With the advent of a growing interest in alternative energy, that's all changed. Companies are cashing in on slash. Pulling grinding machines deep into the woods, these ever-more-numerous entrepreneurs are chipping their way into the emerging market of biomass that's fueling boilers used to heat schools, generate electricity and dry lumber. "This is a market that's definitely growing," said Bryan Vole, a forester with Tricon Timber in St. Regis. "My advice to loggers is don't burn those piles of slash. They're worth some money."  A few years back, Tricon Timber spent more than $500,000 on a grinding machine the size of a D-8 Caterpillar that can grind upward of 50 tons of slash every hour. "It can flat go through it," Vole said.

Right now, 99 percent of the hog fuel Tricon's grinder creates is sold to Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. in Frenchtown. A proposed co-generation plant in the Columbia Falls area could more than double the market for the ground-up material. "Plum Creek is planning on building a co-generation plant that will use 900 to 1,000 tons of hog fuel a day," Vole said. "That's 30 to 35 loads every day. It's going to keep a lot of people busy. This material is in pretty high demand right now."  

That fact creates a daily challenge for Smurfit-Stone Container's Rick Franke, who is charged with finding enough hog fuel to keep the company's boiler running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The company uses about 350,000 tons of hog fuel to produce the steam that turns the turbine used to create about 17 megawatts of electricity every year. Steam is also used in the company's papermaking process. When Franke started in 1996, the company got nearly all of its hog fuel from nearby lumber mills. Back then, wood chips and bark were a waste product the mills gladly sold for next to nothing. Those days are ancient history. "Right now, about a quarter of the hog fuel we use comes from in-the-woods grinders," Franke said. "Ten years ago, that number would have been zero. Supplies are tight and we have to travel a lot further to get what we need."  The company looks as far as southern Idaho and Billings for the material it needs to keep its boilers operating. Prices for hog fuel have jumped 23 percent since 2005, Franke said. In today's market, Smurfit-Stone is faced with a growing number of competitors looking to take advantage of material that people used to think of as trash.

Bark planed off logs used to be great for creating some serious BTUs. Nowadays, much of that material ends up scattered around rose bushes and in flower gardens in a budding decorative bark industry. In Montana, six schools have replaced their old natural gas or heating oil boilers with new state-of-the-art wood-burning units and depend on biomass to heat their buildings. Two other schools are almost ready to fire up their own new systems, said Angela Farr, coordinator of the state's Fuels for Schools program. The biomass used by the schools is typically a bit more refined than what Smurfit-Stone uses and most is produced locally. Still, Farr knows there's concern over competing uses. "The quantities these schools are using are much smaller," she said. "It's really a drop in the bucket. A one-day supply for Stone would supply most of our schools for a year. We know they have some concerns and they are quite valid."

The U.S. Forest Service, University of Montana and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation are working together to find ways to increase the efficiency of processing and delivering forest biomass. One major challenge facing the industry is finding a way to get the material from the backwoods to the boiler. The road system into remote timber sale projects isn't ever a four-lane highway. The larger trailers sometimes have a hard time navigating the tight turns and narrow roadways. So the partners are experimenting with roll-off containers similar to what's used for municipal waste. They're finding the smaller units can get in and out of places that would bog down the larger trailers. The Forest Service and the state are also working to develop contract clauses that give preference to loggers willing to grind up and remove biomass rather than burning it in slash piles, Farr said. "We're trying to make it easier and more competitive to utilize all of this biomass rather than burning it," Farr said. "That should help everyone who is interested in using that product." 

Franke hopes the focus will turn initially to the supply end of the business. "Biomass is getting a lot of attention nationally as people start thinking about alternative energy sources," Franke said. "If you look at all the opportunity there is for forest management in western Montana, there is plenty of raw material to keep us and others operating for years to come."   Smurfit-Stone is in a position to take advantage of today's focus on fuel reduction and forest restoration projects. "We're able to make use of material that's often too small for other mills," Franke said. "Every part of a tree is utilized except for the stump. Nothing is wasted." Source: By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian, 03/07/2007.

Streamlining Ethanol Production

Ethanol produced from biological material has been identified as a possible energy source to help alleviate our dependence on petroleum-based fuels. Currently, the majority of ethanol produced from fermentation uses corn as its biomass. For ethanol to be produced in larger quantities alternate sources of biomass need to be used. One of the roadblocks to producing ethanol from other sources of biomass is the multi-step process involved. Complex materials like wood chips, grasses, or other similar materials have had to be broken down into simple sugars before they can be fermented into ethanol. Now researchers at the University of Rochester have identified gene sequences that appear to turn on the breakdown of biomass into simple sugars. Making changes to the genome of a bacterium may boost its efficiency as an alcohol producer.

David H. Wu, professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester has identified a microorganism named C. thermocellum that has the ability to accomplish both the biomass breakdown and fermentation steps to produce ethanol in a single process. C. thermocellum is not currently used commercially because its biomass conversion process is too inefficient.

Wu documented the process by which the C. thermocellum bacterium selects which of over 100 enzymes it will produce to breakdown any given biomass. The results of the selection process activate the appropriate genes in the bacterium to produce more of the correct enzyme for biomass conversion. Wu is now working to increase the enzyme production by genetically modifying C. thermocellum. He is also scanning the rest of C. thermocellum's genome to find enzyme combinations that will enable it to efficiently ferment grasses, corn stovers, food waste, and other common biomass. "I don't think this is the revolution that makes ethanol a mainstay," says Wu, "but I believe this is a part of what will lead to the revolution."   Source: Written by John Vaccaro, 03/04/2007.

Energy Efficiency Blowing Across Nation

With more people showing interest in energy efficiency -- particularly renewable energy -- wind turbines are popping up to supply electricity to homes, businesses and even communities. But unlike the options of purchasing a hybrid car or installing solar panels, wind energy is not viable for everyone.

Brian Antonich, the small wind program analyst with Windustry, a nonprofit organization working to increase wind energy opportunities for community groups, is often the first contact for people interested in installing wind turbines. For those with little knowledge of the systems, he says he starts by asking about the individuals' motivations to install a turbine. "Everyone wants a wind turbine, but why do you want it?" Antonich said. "People are really concerned with the environment and rising energy costs, as well as becoming more conscious about where their energy comes from -- whether it's produced domestically or overseas -- and they're looking at renewable energy as the homegrown alternative to how we've done things in the past."  He said he hears many reasons, including that the interested party likes to tinker with machines or wants to be energy independent; it's good for the environment; and -- for some people --it makes economic sense.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about whether a wind energy project will work in a specific spot for a particular individual. Each situation needs to be evaluated, Antonich said, and the first factor to look at is location. When considering location, both the lot size and the amount of wind the area gets are important. Antonich said he recommends a lot size of at least one-quarter to one-half acre because most municipalities have setback requirements, and that amount of space allows flexibility to place the turbine in the optimal wind-harnessing place. "If you don't have wind, it's like putting solar panels up in the shade," he said. Using wind resource maps such as the ones that can be found on the Wind Powering America initiative's Web site can give a rough idea if pursuing the installation of a wind turbine is worthwhile.

Installing a wind turbine in the city can be difficult. Because of the close proximity of homes in urban and many suburban areas, the roof lines create turbulence, which doesn't produce energy as well as a straight-line wind. Antonich said people have asked if they could attach a turbine to the top of their homes -- something he strongly recommends against. Turbines attached to structures that were not designed as a turbine foundation usually shake apart over time. Additionally, the vibrations translate into sound -- and can be unbearably noisy for those in the home below.

Next, Antonich said he revisits his clients' motivations. If making money is the inspiring factor, he typically discourages pursuing a turbine project. "I view investing in a small wind system similar to buying a Prius versus keeping your Ford Explorer," Antonich said. "You're not generating money, but you will see savings."  But there is an exception. He said for those who are still connected to the electrical grid, the turbine owner may receive a small check if extra electricity is generated, but it's not going to be a money-making venture.

Each community has different regulations regarding building on property. Because of the lack of exposure at this point, some towns, cities and counties may not even have a zoning process in place for wind turbines. Either way, obtaining permits is likely to take some time and should be done before purchasing a machine, Antonich said. He further suggested educating the governing body before any public hearings so that the hearing itself is just a formality.

Considering the initial costs that go into installing a turbine, Antonich suggests hiring an installer to do a site assessment to find the right location and choose the right turbine. He said it's important to get multiple quotes. "A few hundred dollars upfront might save a lot and mean the difference in payback of many, many years," he said. Wind turbines come in different shapes and sizes, and the installer can help figure out which one to choose. The smallest turbine on the market is a 400-watt system. Given a decent wind resource, it produces enough energy on average to light a 100-watt light bulb for a year. This size of system is often used, for example, on a boat to charge a battery. A 10-kilowatt system, on the other hand, produces enough energy on average to supply a typical single-family home. A 10-kilowatt system will run between $40,000 and $60,000 to install, including the cost of the foundation, tower and fees. Windustry offers a project calculator for individual circumstances.

Antonich said it's important to remember that the bigger the system, the higher the initial costs, but the quicker the payback. However, if economics are a concern, there are some ways to obtain a system while shaving costs. "Put some sweat equity in to decrease costs. Usually the installer will work with you," Antonich said. There is some basic manual labor that is necessary, and routine maintenance is also something that, instead of hiring someone to complete, can be done by the turbine owner. In addition, there are both private and public grants, tax credits and low-interest loans available for wind energy projects. A wide-ranging list can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency and through individual states' departments of commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and various nonprofit agencies.

Antonich said that while Windustry wants to encourage the use of wind turbines to produce renewable energy, it also promotes responsible installation and realizes that wind energy is not for everyone. "They're great things for some people -- when it makes sense," Antonich said. That doesn't mean that those who are not candidates for wind energy systems can't reduce their electricity usage and promote wind energy in other locales. "An easy way to invest -- with a lot quicker payoff -- is to invest in energy-efficient appliances. Get rid of the old clunky refrigerator and look for the ENERGY STAR symbol," he said. "And don't just plug it in in the basement. Now you're just drawing even more electricity." 

He also encourages people to talk to their legislators because, Antonich said, when public funds back energy initiatives, wind and other renewable energy systems will become more prevalent. "What's driving all this new renewable energy development is public policy, and people need to be plugged into the process and be conscious about what's going on," he said. Source:  Anna Cronk, Staff Writer, 03/05/2007.

Raser's Geological Report Identifies Five Drilling Targets in Nevada

Raser Technologies, Inc. announced today that an independent geological study has identified five target drilling areas located on portions of Raser's leased properties in Nevada that are suitable for the development of Raser's advanced binary cycle geothermal power plants. The study focused on two separate geographic regions within Raser's leased geothermal properties in central Nevada. Geologists identified shallow resources at depths of approximately 1,500 feet with water temperatures ranging from 225 degrees F to 275 degrees F within the target drilling areas. The report also identified deeper resources at depths of approximately 5,000 feet with higher temperatures.

Brent Cook, Raser's CEO, stated, "We are thrilled with the findings of this report. It appears that the drilling sites identified in the study hold resources in the target temperature range for employing advanced binary cycle technology to generate electric power. The report indicates that the studied area alone could contain sufficient geothermal resources to support power projects of approximately 300 to 500 megawatts. These resources could support our goal of developing 100 megawatts per year for several years. We look forward to initiating phase one of our drilling program in the second quarter of this year. The initial production wells will provide further readings and reveal more geological data."

The independent study was conducted by Dr. Carl F. Austin and Richard R. Austin, both highly regarded in geological exploration with over 65 years of combined experience in the industry. In completing the study,
the geologists conducted on-site geological assessments and analyzed geological maps and models, satellite photography, well logs, temperature and chemical analyses of existing hot springs, snow melt data and precious mineral mining activity. In the regions encompassed by the study, there are over 46 known hot springs, warm springs, seeps and wells.

The advanced binary cycle technology that Raser intends to employ in the development of geothermal power plants uses water-based geothermal resources of generally lower temperature, ranging from approximately 200 to 360 degrees F. In the advanced binary system, warm geothermal fluid is pumped to the surface and channeled into a heat exchanger. The geothermal water is then used as a source to heat another "working fluid," which then vaporizes to turn a turbine generator. After the heat transfer process is complete, the cooler water is returned to the reservoir in the Earth. The advanced binary method efficiently converts more commonly found low temperature water resources into power through the use of working fluids that have a low boiling point; the binary method also produces zero emissions. If properly managed, a geothermal resource is sustainable and renewable.
Source: Raser Technologies, Inc., 03/07/2007.

LS Power Plans Innovative Solar Plant in Arizona

Private equity LS Power Group wants to develop a solar power plant next to its 570-megawatt Arlington Valley Energy Facility in Arizona that could begin operation as early as next year, the company said. How big LS Power unit LSP Polaria builds the solar farm depends on the purchased power agreements it reaches with power providers, most likely to be in Arizona and California, said a LS Power spokesman David Hicks. In what LS Power said may be the first commercial use of the method, solar thermal units will make steam to help augment production at the natural gas-fired Arlington Valley plant, said Hicks.

LS Power has 3,500 acres on which to build the solar thermal project surrounding its existing power plant, said Jason Hochberg, president of LS Power. The project will be a 50-50 joint venture once LS Power and Dynegy Inc. (DYN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) combine their power generating plants. Last September, Dynegy, an independent power producer, announced it was buying more than $2 billion of power plants from LS Power. The deal is not yet final, and should be completed soon, said Hicks. LS Power will have a 40-percent state in Dynegy. Dynegy's largest shareholder is Chevron Corp. (CVX.N: Quote, Profile, Research).  

Together, Dynegy and LS Power will have about 20,000 megawatts of power generation. The Arlington Valley station of three natural gas units was opened in 2002. The solar thermal aspect of the Polaria project will create steam that could replace "duct firing" at the Arlington Valley power plant, Hicks said. Duct firing uses higher amounts of natural gas to increase production of the power plant at peak demand periods. Arlington Valley can make about 80 MW of power by duct firing. LS Power hopes to use steam created by solar heating to replace up to 70 MW of the need for duct firing, thus helping cut greenhouse gas emissions at Arlington Valley, said LS Power Executive Vice President Jim Pagano, who is leading Polaria. Source: (Reuters), 03/06/2007.

Progress Made in Biomass-to-Biofuels Conversion Process

A collaborative research project between the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has advanced the quest for efficient conversion of plant biomass to fuels and chemicals. "We have sequenced and assembled the complete genome of Pichia stipitis, a native xylose-fermenting yeast," says Thomas Jeffries, research microbiologist at FPL. The results of this research project will be published in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology in April.

The sequencing of P. Stipitis marks an important step toward the efficient production of biofuels because the yeast can efficiently ferment xylose, a main component of plant lignocellulose. Xylose fermentation is vital to economically converting plant biomass to fuels and chemicals such as ethanol. "A better understanding of the genetic structure of this yeast allows us to determine how specific genes are used in fermentation and then reengineer them to perform other desired functions", says Jeffries. For example, Jeffries explains that the fermentation of both glucose and xylose is critical to efficient bioconversion, because xylose is so abundant in hardwoods and agricultural residues. However, when glucose is present, the fermentation of xylose by P. stipitis is repressed. By using their knowledge of the genetic makeup of the yeast, researchers will be able to alter the expression of the genes so that both glucose and xylose are fermented simultaneously. This will increase the efficiency, and improve the economic viability, of the process.

FPL scientists have been studying P. stipitis for 20 years and in that time have isolated and characterized several genes, developed improved strains, and recently licensed technology to a biotech firm for commercial development. "We are very proud of Tom's research and the breakthroughs he and his colleagues continue to make," says FPL Directory Chris Risbrudt. "Publication in a journal of such importance to the scientific community demonstrates the capability of FPL's researchers and our status as a world-class facility."  Source: Newswise, 03/07/2007.

Idaho: Geothermal Direct Use Applications Planned for Warm Springs Village

The city of Warm Springs Village has been in talks with Sun Valley Co., The Water Co.--which owns a major geothermal resource--and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation to collaborate on the execution of a new vision for the economically depressed area. Included in that vision is tapping into geothermal resources for energy and aesthetics. The revamped area will be served by geothermal energy, both as a utility and as an amenity, according to preliminary plans outlined in the mayor's statement.  

The Cimino family established an agreement with the city-through its majority-owned firm, The Water Co., to tap into the major geothermal resource on family property in Warm Springs. Warm Springs Village will become a demonstration site for how to use geothermal energy, according to the mayor's statement.

The city since last summer has been looking for ways to use geothermal resources for energy and recreation. Public access to heated pools will be one of the highlights of the enhanced and expanded village, Hall said. Geothermal sources could also heat sidewalks, the plaza and streets, and might provide water for hot-water fountains. Source: GEA Update March 5 2007.

For more information on Renewable Resources go to: http://www.repartners.org

Outreach, Education, Reports & Studies

Renewable Energy World--January/February Issue

The latest issue of Renewable Energy World is available to view or download. Source: Renewable Energy World, 2/21/2007.

North American Windpower Update

The latest edition of North American Windpower is now available. Source:  North American Windpower, 3/7/2007.

National Wind Coordinating Collaborative

A U.S. consensus-based collaborative formed in 1994, the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative identifies issues that affect the use of wind power, establishes dialogue among key stakeholders, and catalyzes appropriate activities to support the development of environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial markets for wind power. NWCC members include representatives from electric utilities and support organizations, state legislatures, state utility commissions, consumer advocacy offices, wind equipment suppliers and developers, green power marketers, environmental organizations, agriculture and economic development organizations, and state and federal agencies.

RESOLVE, a non-profit environmental dispute resolution organization, provides a full range of facilitation services to the NWCC. RESOLVE creates opportunities for NWCC members and other wind stakeholders to raise and address issues.

U.S. Renewables Standard Offers Mixed Bag

A U.S. renewable energy mandate would lower the use and cost of natural gas, but wouldn't reverse the rate of emissions, says analyst Wood Mackenzie. "Renewable energy alone will not be enough to result in the large (greenhouse gas) reduction targets being proposed," said Joe Sannicandro, vice president for North American power for Edinburgh, Scotland-based Wood Mackenzie. For a new report on a proposed 15 percent Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, the energy analyst looked at an expected 420 gigawatts of capacity needed by 2027 as U.S. energy demand increases and facilities age.

The study was prompted by the 24 states that have already created targets for adding renewables to the energy mix. The federal government, sparked especially by an increased concern over global climate change, may possibly create an RPS. Wood Mackenzie defined renewables as "wind, solar, landfill gas, biomass, and small hydro power." 

"Currently, the U.S. power sector produces 39 percent of the country's total (carbon dioxide) emissions," Sannicandro said in a Wood Mackenzie release. "Our study shows that a Federal RPS would only be one small piece in a large and complicated puzzle to halt the growth of or reduce the absolute level of (carbon dioxide) emissions."  

The study showed an RPS would not stall or reduce such emissions, only slow the growth rate. It recommended accompanying such a move with nuclear power, integrated gasification combined cycle and carbon sequestration projects, as well as reducing consumption of electricity. The RPS would, however, be a boon for the renewables industry, including a 500 percent increase in capacity and $134 billion in construction.

"The lower fuel costs and fossil fuel consumption will lead to lower electricity costs," Sannicandro said. "Over the next 20 years, the Federal RPS case leads to a savings of $240 billion (2006 dollars) in wholesale power costs, outweighing the higher capital investment to build the additional capacity."   He noted, however, that lower natural gas prices will increase its ability to compete with other energy sources. Source:  United Press International, 03/05/2007.

Global Clean Energy Markets Expand to $55 Billion in 2006

Global clean-energy markets are poised to quadruple in the next decade, growing from $55.4 billion in revenues in 2006 to more than $226.5 billion by 2016 for four benchmark technologies, according to the sixth annual Clean Energy Trends report. Source: Clean Edge News, 3/7/2007.

New Study Shows How Texas Can Meet Future Energy Needs with Energy Efficiency and Onsite Renewables

A new study released today shows that a combination of energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy resources, coupled with expanded demand response programs, can meet Texas's growing electricity needs and save consumers money at the same time.

The study, "Potential for Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and Onsite Renewable Energy to Meet Texas's Growing Electricity Needs," was commissioned by Environmental Defense and conducted by researchers at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in Washington, D.C., based on ACEEE research with support from Texas experts. "Energy efficiency is the most affordable energy resource in Texas," said Dr. R. Neal Elliott, Industrial Program Director at ACEEE and lead author of the report. "While 18 percent efficiency savings may seem challenging, Texas is already finding energy efficiency resources at less than 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to the expected cost of power from new plants of 5 to10 cents."  

The study outlines nine policies to moderate electricity demand through energy efficiency and develop onsite renewable energy resources such as solar and biomass. The expanded efficiency policies would meet 17.5 percent of forecasted 2023 electricity demand, while the onsite renewable policies would displace future conventionally generated electricity by an additional 4.9 percent for a total reduction of 22.4 percent, meeting the projected increases in demand over the next 15 years.

Texas's peak electricity demand--which occurs, for example, when consumers crank up air conditioners during extreme heat--is growing faster than the state's population. State energy leaders are concerned about whether the state will have sufficient generation to meet peak demand by 2009. "Cost-effective demand response programs could reduce Texas's peak electricity demand by over 1,000 megawatts in 2009, and over 3,000 megawatts in 2013," said Alison Silverstein, former Chief of Staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and coauthor of the report. "Over the longer term, price-responsive demand could permanently change Texas's peak electricity requirements."  

Combined with demand response and renewables, efficiency offers Texas a sustainable energy future that provides greater energy security, costs less, pollutes less, and supports economic growth better than the state's current course. "Texas has become a leader in renewable wind energy, but has been slow to implement onsite renewable energy resources," said Mike Sloan of Virtus Energy Research, coauthor of the report. "An investment today in onsite solar and biomass will help create the future capability that will allow renewables to meet a growing share of the state's energy needs."

This report will be followed by a second study that will assess the economic impacts of these investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. A previous analysis in Texas found that these types of investments typically produce twice the jobs and in-state economic growth that are produced from an equivalent investment in power plants. "Energy efficiency is the first fuel in the race for affordable and clean energy, because it is the cheapest and fastest to deploy," said Elliott. "The recommendations we have outlined in this report can be adopted now, implemented now, and can immediately reduce the demand for energy."    

The report, "Potential for Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and Onsite Renewable Energy to Meet Texas's Growing Electricity Demands," is available for free download or a hard copy can be purchased for $50 plus $5 postage and handling from ACEEE Publications, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036-5525, phone: 202-429-0063, fax: 202-429-0193. Source: Energy Central, 3/7/2007.

New Study Compares the Potential Costs and Benefits of State-Level Renewables Portfolio Standards; Finds that Rate Impacts Are Typically Expected to Be Modest

Increased deployment of renewable energy--driven by state renewables portfolio standards--is not expected to increase electricity rates dramatically, according to a report released today by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report synthesizes the results of a large number of state-level RPS cost-impact analyses. "These studies have been conducted by a wide range of organizations, and persuasively demonstrate that state-level RPS policies need not break the bank," says report co-author Ryan Wiser.

State RPS policies have emerged as one of the most important drivers of renewable energy in the U.S. Collectively, the RPS policies that are in place today in 21 states apply to roughly 40 percent of U.S. electricity load. But the adoption of these policies often hinges on debates over the expected costs and benefits of increased renewable energy use. To inform these debates, a large number of studies have been conducted to forecast
the potential impacts of state RPS programs.

The Berkeley Lab report findings are based on a synthesis and analysis of the results and methodologies of previous state RPS cost-benefit projections. "Our aim was to compare projected costs, impacts, and benefits across studies, and to provide methodological guidance for future state RPS impact projections," noted Cliff Chen. "In our sample are 28 different analyses that cover 18 states, with renewable energy targets that range from just 1 percent to 33 percent of electricity supply."

The report does not evaluate the actual realized cost of currently-implemented state RPS policies, but instead focuses on longer term projections. The report finds that 70 percent of state RPS cost studies predict that the required renewable energy deployment will raise retail electricity rates at the state level by less than 1 percent where those standards are in place, though some studies predict more unfavorable outcomes, and six of the studies predict cost decreases. On average, the studies predict state RPS impacts that would cost an average household roughly 40 cents per month, though studies predict a wide range of possible outcomes around this average value. In addition, many of the studies evaluate the potential benefits of state RPS obligations, including economic development benefits, risk mitigation, and environmental gains.

The report also documents the methods used by the studies and highlights recommendations for improvement. "We hope the findings of this work will help stakeholders understand the potential impacts of state renewable energy policies, and will help improve the next generation of state-level RPS cost-benefit studies," concludes Wiser.

The report "Weighing the Costs and Benefits of State Renewables Portfolio Standards: A Comparative Analysis of State-Level Policy Impact Projections," is available online, along with a PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings. For more information on the report, contact Ryan Wiser at 510-486-5474. Source: Ryan Wiser, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 03/07/2007.

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News from Washington

GAO: US DOE Energy R&D Insufficient to Deal with Climate Change

In his February 28 Testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, House Committee on Appropriations, Jim Wells, US Government Accountability Office Director of Natural Resources and Environment said, "In the wake of increasing energy costs with the attendant threat to national security and the growing recognition that fossil fuel consumption is contributing to global climate change, the nation is once again assessing how best to stimulate the deployment of advanced energy technologies. However, it is unlikely that DOE's current level of R&D funding or the nation's current energy policies will be sufficient to deploy advanced energy technologies in the next 25 years."

"Without sustained high energy prices or concerted, high-profile federal government leadership, U.S. consumers are unlikely to change their energy-use patterns, and the United States will continue to rely upon its current energy portfolio. Specifically, government leadership is needed to overcome technological and market barriers to deploying advanced energy technologies that would reduce the nation's vulnerability to oil supply disruptions and adverse environmental effects of burning fossil fuels."   Source: GEA Update March 5 2007.

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State Activities, Marketing & Market Research

Region a Showcase for Power of Wind

Lakeland School District, Tunkhannock Township in Monroe County and Westfall Township in Pike County were among 15 Pennsylvania entities that received 35-foot wind turbines through state grants last summer. The turbines for Lakeland and Westfall Township have arrived but have not been installed yet, while Tunkhannock Township's turbine is being replaced due to problems. The Lakeland turbine will be installed near the football stadium "as soon as the ground is good enough to do that," said Margaret Billings-Jones, Ed.D., district superintendent.

The windmills generate 1.8 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power a small house. The grants were awarded so the public could see and learn about alterative energy. A number of people have inquired how Lakeland obtained the grant, worth about $10,000 with the installation costs, Dr. Billings-Jones said. State grants for windmills are no longer available, but the state Department of Environmental Protection is exploring other clean-energy projects, including solar panels, spokesman Charlie Young said. "It was envisioned as a one-time program," Mr. Young said.

The small windmills are geared toward residential use but could reduce a school building's energy bills by 5 percent to 10 percent and a township building's by 30 percent to 60 percent, said Miriam Robbins, marketing manager for Southwest Windpower, the Flagstaff, Ariz.-based company that manufactures the windmills.

Pennsylvania received some of the company's first models. About 400 more units have been sold since nationwide, Ms. Robbins said. The average wind speed needs to be about 9 mph, or "more windy than normal," she said. That's fine for Tunkhannock Township. "We're on the top of a mountain, and it's always windy," said roadmaster Bruce Walder.

The township turbine was working well until the cold weather hit and caused problems with the lubricant. A new turbine has arrived to be installed. When it was working, residents loved seeing how the turbine was helping the township reduce its electricity bills, Mr. Walder said. "They're just fascinated with the electric meter spinning backward," he said. "That seems to have everyone excited."  Mr. Walder hopes to make the area around the turbine into an alternative-energy park, incorporating explanations of wind power, touchable items for kids and maybe a solar panel. Inquiries have come from as far away as Virginia, Massachusetts and Ohio about the turbine, Mr. Walder said. Source: BY ELIZABETH PIET, STAFF WRITER,  (copyrighted) The Times-Tribune 2007, 03/05/2007.

Texas Legislation to Mandate Biomass or Geothermal Energy Production (Legislation) 

Texas State Rep. Wayne Christian has introduced legislation mandating that electric companies produce additional renewable power other than wind-generated. Christian's bill clarifies Senate Bill SB20, passed during the last legislative session in 2005, which increased the state's commitment to renewable energy, such as wind and hydroelectric power, by mandating that 5 percent of the state's energy be produced by renewable sources by 2015, and 10 percent by 2025. However, the bill did not state that "non-wind" sources, such as geothermal energy or biomass plants would be mandatory. Christian's new bill clarifies the 2005 bill and mandates that electric companies generate 500 watts of the state's energy through non-wind, renewable ways. (Source:  Daily Sentinel, Feb. 28, '07) For more information, contact Wayne Christian, Representative, Texas, at 512-463-0556. Source: EP Overviews Daily Report, 3/6/2007.

New Mexico Energy Standard Renewed, Doubled

Legislation to double New Mexico's renewable energy was signed by Governor Richardson today. The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, SB418, was sponsored by Senator Michael Sanchez (D-Belen). SB418 will increase New Mexico?s current renewable energy standard from 10 percent by 2011 to 20 percent by the year 2020 and the bill also sets the first in New Mexico renewable energy standard for all rural electric cooperatives. Under this legislation, all electric cooperatives would be required to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2020. The bill was supported by renewable energy advocates, conservationists, farmers, and utility companies. "Doubling our use of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2020 will protect our air, cut global warming pollution, and increase our energy security," said Lauren Ketcham, Environmental Advocate with Environment New Mexico. "New Mexico's current investment in renewable energy has been an enormous success."

Public Service Company of New Mexico is expected to meet the state's current RPS of 10 percent several years ahead of schedule. Not only will this double the renewable energy developed it will also play a critical role in launching large scale solar power generation in the United States, said Ben Luce, Policy Director of the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, CCAE. This will provide for the first time a serious alternative to coal and nuclear power.

The Governor also signed the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, HB188, by Jose Campos (D-Santa Rosa). HB188 requires that lines contracted by the Authority have at least 30 percent of their energy come from renewable energy sources. Although some states have similar transmission planning entities the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority makes New Mexico the first state to have a strong requirement for renewable energy, said Luce. This will require the development of huge amounts of renewable energy above the requirement of the new RPS. Investments in wind and other renewable energy technologies help generate tremendous new economic development opportunities in rural and agricultural areas of the country, enabling farmers, ranchers and landowners to grow a reliable new "cash crop" that doesn't need water. Source: Jeanne Bassett, Environment New Mexico, 03/06/2007.

SolarWorld to open Solar plant in Oregon (G&C)

German based SolarWorld AG plans to turn an existing Hillsboro, OR factory into a major producer of solar cells and wafers. The plant  should come on line by the end of 2007 and be able to produce wafers and cells capable of generating 500 megawatts of electricity by the end of 2009. (Source:  AP, Mar. 04, '07) For more information, contact SolarWorld AG at +49 (0)228 55920 470. Source: EP Overviews Daily Report, 3/7/2007.

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Grants, RFPs & Other Funding News

DOE Invests $385 Million in Six Cellulosic Ethanol Projects

DOE announced last week that it will invest up to $385 million in six biorefineries over the next four years. Once up and running, the biorefineries-located in California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Kansas-are expected to produce more than 130 million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol. Combined with the industry cost share, more than $1.2 billion will be invested in the new biorefineries. The six projects support President Bush's Twenty in Ten Initiative, which aims to increase the use of alternative fuels to 35 billion gallons per year by 2017. For more information, see the DOE press release. Source: EERE Network News, 3/7/2007.

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