Green Power

City Gets Greener with Wind Energy Purchase

Love Park's environmental fair never looked so nature-savvy, spotted with a dozen tables set up with information packets on the environment and smiling hippies handing out nature-love fliers. The backdrop was Philadelphia Mayor John Street announcing his sustainability plan for a cleaner city. Joined by PECO Wind representatives and other city agency executives, Street said the city will purchase 8,500 megawatthours of PECO Wind on behalf of City Hall. This purchase is the largest municipal renewable energy purchase in Pennsylvania and the ninth largest in the country. Street also released his "local action plan for climate change," which entails steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, one of the leading causes of pollution and global warming. Part of this plan consisted of the signing of an executive order directing city government to implement recommendations for a more sustainable environment.

According to the mayor's action plan for climate change, urbanized areas are responsible for as much as 75 percent of the world's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. "We have been working on environmental issues for a long time," the mayor said. "We intend to promote clean air and to do everything we can to protect the environment." Street said the city currently has a number of earth-friendly cars in the city's Office of Fleet Management. Since its inception, the city government's fleet has 329 fewer cars on the roads to date. The city has also taken other steps to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing hybrid cars. Philadelphia owns 51 Ford Escape hybrids, which save 132 gallons of gas per 10,000 miles and six Toyota Priuses, which get 60 miles per gallon and save 234 gallons of gas for every 10,000 miles on the road.

Street's executive order promises to direct the Department of Fleet Management to reduce its total fuel consumption for the vehicle fleet by five percent by the year 2010, and an additional 10 percent by 2015. In other activities, Philadelphia joined the Cities for Climate Protection Program in 1999, signed the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement in 2005 and joined the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group last year. Philadelphia has a multitude of natural resources, including the largest urban park in the world, vast amounts of open space and two critical rivers. Street said he is proud of the newly erected buildings that have vowed to be "green," such as the Comcast building--which will be the tallest green building on the east coast. Street and others also said they want to cut down on automobile usage and promote public transportation.

PECO will be providing much of this alternative energy, and it will now be keeping City Hall up and running. The cost of PECO Wind is $20 per megawatt hour for City Hall, and PECO representatives said the cost will fluctuate depending on how much energy is used and the length of contract. For an average household, for one block, 100-kilowatt hours of PECO Wind energy will cost an additional monthly fee of $2.54, a fee added directly to customer's monthly bill.

Frank Jiruska, director of energy and marketing services for PECO, said Philadelphia made a good decision when it purchased PECO Wind for 100 percent of City Hall. According to PECO, the city's acquisition of this energy source for City Hall is equivalent to planting 1.6 million trees or not driving 20 million miles each year. As part of it environmental stewardship program, Philadelphia International Airport went green last month when it purchased PECO Wind for a portion of its facilities. This five-year contract is marked as being the largest purchase among the airports across the nation. Other ways to protect the environment are by switching from coal and fuel oil to natural gas heating. PECO said this significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, since coal burning emits 70 percent more carbon dioxide than natural gas. Source: By Jenny DeHuff, The Bulletin, 04/26/2007.

Gander Mountain Reaches Out To Customers With Clean Renewable Energy Options

Outdoor lifestyle retailer, Gander Mountain, announced today it is launching a program to help its customers and employees explore and adopt clean renewable energy. Gander Mountain is a leading purchaser of renewable energy, offsetting 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. Under this new promotion, the Gander Mountain stores utilizing renewable energy are offering free $50 and $20 gift cards to anyone who purchases wind power for their homes for one year with Renewable Choice Energy.

"We hope that our employees and customers will take advantage of this unique opportunity to help keep the outdoors safe for tomorrow." said Mark Baker, president and CEO of Gander Mountain.

This is the second phase of Gander Mountain's renewable energy program. In February 2007, Gander Mountain purchased 17,000 megawatthours 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 help 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. Gander Mountain is working with Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy. Renewable Choice Energy is a leading national provider that is building the market for clean and renewable sources of energy. Source: Kathryn Lancioni, Public Relations Specialist, Renewable Choice Energy, 04/23/2007.

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

Renewable Energy Technologies

Canada's Largest Solar Farm to be Built in Ont.

Ontario's decision to host North America's largest solar farm is a step in the right direction, but the relatively large project is just a fraction of the total energy supply and does little to clean up the province's act, critics said Thursday.

Ontario plans to bring 14 renewable energy projects online by 2010 including a 40 megawatt solar farm in Sarnia, Ont., which will be built by OptiSolar Farms and consist of over one million ground-mounted solar panels. While critics said they were supportive of almost any renewable energy project that helps wean the province off traditional sources, they insisted the solar plans don't excuse the government's continued focus on coal and nuclear technologies. "We really need a much more aggressive approach on both renewables and (energy conservation) and we're still not getting that,'' said Dave Martin of Greenpeace Canada.

"The solar project is a small part of the bigger picture and ultimately we're faced with a government that has cancelled its phase-out of coal generation and is planning to invest ... in nuclear power.'' And while the project is being billed as large, it's actually far from ambitious, said Mark Winfield of the Pembina Institute. "The target the Ontario Power Authority set for solar by 2025 is met by this single plant,'' Winfield said. "Clearly there's an awful lot more potential out there for solar and we need a better strategy for realizing that.''

Energy Minister Dwight Duncan acknowledged the solar project represents only about two-tenths of one per cent of Ontario's total generating capacity, but said it will create enough clean energy to power about 6,000 homes and takes pressure off the grid. The solar farm and other 13 projects--including two partnerships with First Nations communities and several wind farms--fall under the Renewable Standard Offer Program, which means the companies will pay for capital costs and receive a preferential rate for the energy they produce. The program now has 36 projects under offer, which will contribute 250 megawatts of clean energy, enough for 56,000 homes, and do a small part to avert an energy crisis. "We have to make sure we get every kilowatt of power from these clean, green renewable sources of energy before we do anything,'' Duncan said.

Jack Gibbons of Pollution Probe applauded the government move and said the province should build thousands more of these projects rather than more nuclear reactors. "What we need to do is move away from the mega-project paradigm, that is not the way of the future,'' Gibbons said. "The lowest cost and the most reliable options to meet our needs in the future are small-scale renewable projects.''

But New Democrat critic Peter Tabuns said the solar plans are more about public relations than anything else. "Fundamentally this is a government that's going to go nuclear and it's going to make announcements about smaller projects to make it look as though it's green,'' Tabuns said. "The core of its strategy is going big on nuclear, that's the story that's behind all of these feel-good announcements.'' Source: Canadian Press, 4/26/2007.

Kohl's Converting California Stores to Solar Power

Kohl's Corp. plans to convert more than 75 percent of its department stores in California to solar power beginning in May. The Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based retailer announced Thursday morning the first stores involved in the project will be in Laguna Niguel and in Visalia. Twenty-four of Kohl's 80 California stores will immediately convert, and the company is seeking permits and approvals for another 40 stores in the state. Kohl's management said the company's initial solar foray will generate more than 35 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy and, in the first year, will offset more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Kohl's has contracted with SunEdison, a Beltsville, Md., solar energy service provider, to "solarize" the California stores. Constructing and activating each California Kohl's solar conversion will take approximately 12 weeks. The first two stores will be completed by August, and all solar locations in California will be finalized by the end of 2008. In addition to California, Kohl's executives are investigating solar options in seven other states. The company did not disclose the cost of the solar conversion project. Kohl operates 834 stores in 46 states.  Source: East Bay Business Times, 4/26/2007.

Olmsted County to Use Geothermal Power in Ice Rink

Come hockey season, Olmsted County's main skating rink intends to make ice with geothermal power. County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to install a geothermal-powered system to replace 40-year-old ice-making equipment at Graham West Arena. The current ice-making system has had coolant leaks which violated the Rochester building code. The new system, with a price tag of $696,500, will also heat the building. The county awarded the contract to NewMech Facility Solutions, a St. Paul-based firm, without soliciting other bids. This was done, officials said, to avoid delays that would prevent the rink from being ready for the next hockey season. The old ice-making equipment cannot be used, said county public works director Mike Cousino. With the new system, the county expects to save about $27,000 each year in energy and maintenance costs. It will cost $59,000 annually over 15 years to pay for the system. Graham West is the oldest of the three ice arenas in the Graham complex. The county is building a fourth arena on the site. Source: Kare11, 04/25/07.

Work to Begin on Solar Power Plant in San Luis Valley

On April 23rd, Governor Ritter and Senator Salazar lifted shovels to break ground on a new 82-acre solar plant in the San Luis Valley, a project that will be one of the largest of its kind in the country. When complete in 2008, the facility will generate enough power for 1,500 homes. The plant will also create about 50 construction jobs in Alamosa and provide ongoing employment for a small maintenance crew located in Alamosa. SunAdison will own the Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant and sell the power to Xcel Energy. The facility will help Xcel, the state's largest utility, comply with Amendment 37 and the state's new renewable energy standard. The standard signed in law by Gov. Ritter last month, requires that utilities like Xcel obtain 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. "We are making history in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "This solar plant is another building block in Colorado's New Energy Economy. And constructing the plant in the San Luis Valley makes perfect sense because the Valley is the sunniest place in the sixth-sunniest state in the nation." Source: Colorado Governor's Energy Office, 4/27/2007.

Annual U.S. Wind Power Rankings Track Industry's Rapid Growth

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today released its annual rankings of wind energy development in the United States. The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 2,400 megawatts of new power generation in the country, an investment of about $4 billion, making wind one of the largest sources of new power generation in the country at a time of growing electricity demand. Total installed U.S. wind power capacity is over 11,600 MW, or enough to serve the equivalent of 3 million average households. Source: AEWA Release, 4/11/2007.

Finavera Renewables Granted FERC Preliminary Permit in Oregon

Finavera Renewables Inc. is pleased to announce it has been issued a Preliminary Permit for its proposed 100-MW Coos County, Ore., wave energy project. The permit approval was granted by the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The preliminary permit is valid for a period of three years, and allows Finavera Renewables to conduct various studies, including analyses of oceanographic conditions, commercial and recreational activities, and other impacts potentially associated with the planned project. The company will rely on the studies and stakeholder consultations in framing its application to FERC for a project operating license.

Alla Weinstein, Director and General Manager, Ocean Energy said, "The Coos County project is part of the next step along our path to the commercialization of wave energy. Permitting activities for this project will be based on our experience gained in the Makah Bay pilot project, which is the first wave energy project to file for a FERC operating license."

The proposed Coos County project would use interconnected clusters of the company's patented AquaBuOY wave energy devices. The project would have a generating capacity of 100-MW, and total annual generation from the project is estimated to be approximately 175 gigawatthours per year, which is sufficient electricity to power approximately 15,000 American homes.

Finavera Renewables CEO Jason Bak said, "We plan to pursue additional wave energy projects in America in order to deploy the AquaBuOY technology and build the dominant market share in this new renewable energy industry."

Finavera Renewables is also continuing the development of the patented AquaBuOY technology. The Company plans to deploy a second generation test device this summer off the coast of Newport, Oregon and is working in partnership with Oregon State University scientists and engineers to explore the technology's potential.

The offshore portion of the project would be located in the Pacific Ocean west of Coos County, Oregon, just north of the Curry County/Coos County boundary, and southwest of the City of Bandon.

The Preliminary Permit issued by FERC to Finavera Renewables covers an offshore project study area of approximately 5.5 square miles, with dimensions of 1.6 miles predominantly in the east-west direction and 3.4
miles predominantly in the north-south direction. These are preliminary site specifications, and will be subject to several studies as part of a feasibility assessment. Those studies are currently expected to include: Oceanographic Conditions, Marine Biological Resources, Marine Mammal Resources, Commercial and Recreational Activities, Noise, Public Safety, Visual Impacts, and Fishing, Crabbing and other Marine Uses. The Company has begun, and will continue to pursue consultations with local stakeholders.

Once these surveys are completed, and following consultation with local stakeholders, the Company will 'micro-site' the project within the proposed project area. The final installed offshore wave energy plant is expected to require an offshore project area between 2 and 3 square miles. Source: Finavera Renewables Inc., 4/30/2007.

Some Area Lawmakers Support Offshore Wind Turbines

Several state lawmakers say they support the possibility of locating windmill turbines off New Hampshire's coast to generate electricity, though with some reservations. "I think it's a very important alternative and we clearly should explore it," said Sen. Martha Fuller-Clark, D-Portsmouth.

The lawmakers spoke with the Sunday Citizen recently, after HB 873 passed. The bill requires electricity providers to get a minimum percentage of their power from renewable resources. Fuller-Clark was among the bill's sponsors. Wind power projects off New Hampshire's shore have yet to be proposed, but she said the possibility should stay open. 

Rep. Thomas Fargo, D-Dover, said offshore wind power projects are likely to face similar challenges to those bedeviling wind projects on land, including environmental and aesthetic concerns. "I'm in favor it," he said, "recognizing it has many controversial issues related to it."

He also supports tidal power. He is sponsoring a bill, HB 694, which calls for a study of tidal power under the Little Bay and General Sullivan bridges.

Rep. James Powers, D-Portsmouth, said wind power must be part of the renewable energy equation. But, he added, there are factors limiting where wind farms can be located. "My gut instinct is that it would probably be better off on land," he said.

Challenges for offshore projects can include maritime safety, the ocean environment and the expense and difficulty of moving energy from the turbines to the onshore electrical power grid. Also, projects proposed off the New Hampshire coast would have to consider the migration patterns of birds; the Isle of Shoals is a frequent layover for birds. Offshore wind power could work if designed properly, but may not be ideal, Powers said. "The best use of wind power may be in smaller units," he said.  

Rep. Jim Garrity, R and D-Atkinson, is the chairman of a subcommittee evaluating potential wind power sites for New Hampshire's Energy Policy Commission. He said the subcommittee is looking into both the opportunities and challenges of establishing wind power facilities in the state. 

Opponents often challenge offshore wind power based on the subjective notion of viewscape, he said. He does not believe wind turbines are unattractive, he added. "My personal feeling is if we can find offshore sites, that'd be great," he said. Offshore wind power hasn't often been discussed in the House, he said. When it has come up, representatives have questioned the availability of appropriate sites given the state's limited coastline.

Maine state Sen. Peter Bowman, D-Kittery, said he'd support a wind power project off Maine's coast if it is technically and economically feasible. There are some wind farms on land in Maine and proposals for more, he said. New Hampshire has wind resources consistent with utility-scale production, with the best sites on land on ridge crests in the White Mountain region, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

There's more wind offshore, but the challenges a proposed wind project off Cape Cod is facing likely would apply to proposals off New Hampshire's coast, said Joseph Broyles, energy program manager with the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning. The state Site Evaluation Committee must approve New Hampshire projects over 30 megawatts, he said. The committee is made up of several state agencies who each submit permit conditions. The process may be more involved for offshore projects, Broyles said.

Getting steadier, less turbulent wind is the primary benefit of offshore wind projects, according to Laurie Jodziewicz, spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association, a national trade group in Washington, D.C. Offshore turbines also would be near customers as populations are greater near coasts. New England is densely populated, and there aren't as many places as elsewhere for wind farms on land, she added. "We haven't seen a single offshore project in the U.S," she said. "But I think we will."

There are offshore projects adding up to about 800 megawatts in other countries. An offshore wind turbine is a modified version of a land turbine. They generally are anchored into the seabed in water no deeper than 100 feet, usually in depths half that. There are limited places where the depths are appropriate, given current technology, she said. Most projects are several miles off the coast, often to cut visibility. Regulations for projects in water more than 3 miles off shore still are being written, she said.

The projects are expensive, she added. The marine environment's salt, ice and waves add maintenance costs, as does the need to run cables underwater.

New Hampshire's first commercial wind farm, owned by Christian Loranger of Loranger Power Generation Corp. of Acushnet, Mass., was in Berlin on Jericho Mountain.  The four-turbine, 1.4-megawatt project can power 700 homes. But it was vandalized over the summer, requiring extensive repairs. Loranger did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Another wind farm in the state is still in the permitting process after about three years. Community Energy, Inc., based in Randor, Pa., has proposed a 24-megawatt windfarm on Lempster Mountain. The 12 turbines, each about 400 feet tall, would provide enough power for more than 1,000 homes. The project has received more than $240,000 in a predevelopment grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Iberdrola, S.A., a Spanish renewable power company, recently bought Community Energy.

Ed Cherian, Lempster Mountain's project manager, said the company finished three days of state site evaluation committee hearings last month, and deliberations begin in May. They hope to begin construction in the late summer or early fall, he said, and be online in the summer of 2008. Many biological surveys were conducted to determine any environmental ramifications from the project, he said. "Wind power is unique in that really you have, depending on your site, minimal environmental affects," he said. "It's emissionless, clean renewable energy."

The Industrial Wind Action group of Lyman opposes the project.  "We're interested in renewable energy as an important compliment to fossil fuel use," said Lisa Linowes, the group's executive director. "Wind is probably the least valuable."  

She said she values using biomass, methane and hydropower over wind. Wind doesn't make enough power on summer days when it's needed most, she said, adding that wind blows hardest on winter nights when demand is lowest. The Lempster project may produce only an average of 6 megawatts, she said. She compared that to the more than 1,000 megawatts the Seabrook nuclear power plant produces at any given time. Also, the project, with its 5-mile long road in a heavily forested area, would affect the environment, she said. "The impacts of the facility are not offset by the amount of generation," she said.

Offshore winds, on the other hand, are more steady and generate more continuous electricity, Linowes said. "Wind belongs off shore," she said, but added that turbines have to be in deeper waters so the blades don't hurt birds.

The Cape Wind project off Cape Cod in Massachusetts does not meet this standard, she said. The project, which would involve 130 wind turbines in a 25-square-mile area in Nantucket Sound, could provide 75 percent of the electricity for Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, project officials say. It is undergoing a federal and state permitting process. Construction is scheduled for 2010. Source: By Chloe Johnson, Staff Writer, 4/29/2007.

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

Outreach, Education, Reports & Studies

WINDPOWER 2007 Conference & Exhibition - June 3-7

This years American Wind Industry Association WINDPOWER 2007 Conference & Exhibition has several Utility Track and Special Utility Events! Utilities interested in wind energy cannot afford to miss the largest annual wind event in the world -- WINDPOWER 2007!

AWEA has created a special Utility Track at WINDPOWER 2007 to address the unique issues facing utilities that are looking to grow their supply portfolio to include wind energy. The Utility Track will feature timely and relevant presentations that will answer the questions power providers are asking about this clean, domestically-produced renewable energy resource.

For more information on the special Utility Track, contact Jeff Anthony, manager - Utility Programs and Policy, American Wind Energy Association, 414-967-5950.

New Study Examines the Role of Renewable Energy Certificates in State RPS

A new Berkeley Lab report was recently released entitled: The Treatment of Renewable Energy Certificates, Emissions Allowances, and Green Power Programs in State Renewables Portfolio Standards. Twenty-one states have adopted renewables portfolio standards, and it has often been said that when it comes to implementing these policies, the devil is in the details. This report summarizes the treatment of renewable energy certificates and attributes in state RPS policies. Although the use of RECs is now widespread in state RPS policies, the definitions and treatment of their attributes vary by state. Sometimes this is intentional, but often states are unintentionally ambiguous in their definitions and rules. We identify where ambiguity exists and suggest that policy-makers and regulators clarify their intent by adopting more explicit language in order to reduce uncertainty in REC markets. A PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the key findings is available. Source: Ryan Wiser and Ed Holt, 4/28/2007.

IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter

The IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter tracks a range of market-oriented news, services and outreach tools valuable to the renewable energy community. From webinars to white papers to workkshops and interviews with renewable energy newsmakers, you'll find the latest news about IREC members and other renewable energy stakeholders in this newsletter which is distributed semi-monthly to email subscribers and published on IREC's website. There is no fee for this newsletter. Source: Jane Pulaski, 4/27/2007.

AWEA Wind Letter - April 2007

The latest issue of the AWEA WindLetter is now available. Source: AWEA, 4/30/2007.

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

News from Washington

House Tax Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Renewable Energy Tax Incentives

The House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a Hearing on Energy and Tax Policy, Thursday, April 19, 2007. Subcommittee Chairman Neal (D-MA) called the hearing to "focus on the current framework of tax incentives encouraging the development of alternative sources of energy." The Subcommittee announcement explained:

"The Committee on Ways and Means has previously heard testimony on how the United States can help reduce the real and growing risks posed by climate change by encouraging the development and use of alternatives sources of energy. Tax incentives are one way in which the Federal government can accelerate the development of these technologies. The tax code currently provides tax incentives encouraging the development of alternative sources of energy. The industries utilizing these incentives are best positioned to describe the utility of tax incentives in helping develop and expand these innovative technologies."

In announcing the hearing, Chairman Neal said, "We need to know which current tax incentives are working and which are not so that we can take that knowledge and apply it to future policy decisions."

Witnesses testifying at the hearing were: Jaime Steve, Legislative Director, American Wind Energy Association, William H. Carlson, Chairman, USA Biomass Power Producers Alliance, Redding, California; Karl Gawell, Executive Director, Geothermal Energy Association; Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industries Association; Robert R. Rose, Executive Director, US Fuel Cell Council; Bob Dinneen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Fuels Association; and Nina Bergan French, Ph.D, Director, Clean Coal Combustion Products, ADA-ES, Inc., Littleton, Colorado.

GEA's Executive Director, Karl Gawell, told the Subcommittee that Congress decision to extend the Section 45 Production Tax Credit (PTC) to geothermal energy has resulted in a surge of new geothermal power projects. "The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) has resulted in a major, positive impact on the geothermal energy industry," Gawell said. "In November of 2006, GEA's survey of industry activity showed a substantial surge in developing geothermal power projects in the US. Some 61 projects were under various stages of development, a substantial increase from earlier years. Results of the survey provide dramatic evidence that new federal and state initiatives to promote geothermal energy are paying off."

GEA urged the Subcommittee to "extend the credit five to ten years," allow geothermal and other baseload projects to qualify once they have binding contracts and are under construction," and "enact a new tax incentive for geothermal exploration." The House and Senate are expected to pass energy legislation this summer, and during their early action this year, the House made a commitment to including energy tax incentives in its bill. Source: GEA Update, 4/23/2007.

For more information on legislative activities go to: http://www.repartners.org

State Activities, Marketing & Market Research

Renewable Energy Emphasis Means Jobs, New Study Says

Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's emphasis on developing an alternative energy sector will create jobs and strengthen the economy, according to a new study. The extensive energy policy-related study assesses the impact of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies on Michigan's economy. The results of the study clearly show that investments in energy efficiency programs and the adoption of a Renewable Portfolio Standard, as called for in Granholm's economic plan, will create up to 19,000 additional jobs and increase the Gross State Product by as much as $1.6 billion. Source: Matt Roush, The Michigan Energy Report, 4/26/2007.

Silicon Valley's Best, Brightest Now Working on Alternative Energy

Detroit's NextEnergy and the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon have some serious, deep-pockets competition. Reuters reports that venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, searching for the next big thing, are pouring cash into solar power, fuel cells, wind energy, biofuels, new lighting microchips, "smart" power grids, and other innovative energies. "The best brains in the country are no longer working on the next pharmaceutical drug or the next Silicon Revolution. They want to work on energy," said Vinod Khosla, a top venture capitalists in Silicon Valley. Source: Matt Roush, The Michigan Energy Report, 4/26/2007.

Wind Energy Trying to Stake a Claim in Arizona

Wind guru Amanda Ormond, principal of The Ormond Group in Tempe, suggests that Arizona still has a ways to go before wind energy is significantly generated in the state. "Arizona is only one of two states in the West still without any commercial-scale wind development," says Ormond. "Nevada is the other." 

To spotlight this, APS generates 90 MW of its renewable energy from wind produced by the Aragonne Mesa Wind Farm. Recently contracted to serve APS customers here in Arizona as of last December, the wind farm is in Santa Rosa, N. M. The same goes for SRP. They've contracted to bring wind energy into their renewable energy mix, but it's coming from out-of-state.  Wind power across the nation stands out as a success story. Over the past 10 years, as wind farms sprouted around the world, the cost of generating electricity from wind has fallen dramatically.  In 1980, wind-power electricity cost 80 cents per kilowatt hour; by 1991 it cost 10 cents, according to the International Energy Agency. Today, production costs at the best on-shore sites have dropped as low as 3 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, but generally run 6 to 9 cents per kilowatt hour.

Wind farms producing anywhere from 500 to 700 MW of electricity are now under development in Arizona. Sites near Springerville in Apache County and Kingman in Mohave County are built but await a buyer for commercial-scale operation. Other sites are in the permitting process and at many other areas wind monitoring is being conducted to determine if there is an adequate resource for commercial development. Thirty-six miles east of Flagstaff the Sunshine Wind Farm is fully permitted and awaiting a purchaser for the energy. Once a developer has signed on to the purchase power agreement (usually with a utility) the project will be built. This project, according to Ormond, could be operational in a year once the energy is purchased. Forty wind turbines will be built on the site of leased private land and Hopi Tribal fee land along Interstate 40 near the meteor crater site.

Says Ormond, "As Arizona develops its wind portfolio, agriculture will be the beneficiary of its success as developers hunt for open spaces to place the turbines. Landowners including farmers and ranchers who allow development can receive payments of approximately $2,000 to $4,000 US per turbine per year in a land lease payment from the developer." Though wind is one of the cheapest forms of energy and the fastest growing renewable energy resource, it does have its drawbacks.

"Wind is a variable resource," Ormond notes. "It can only produce power from wind when it is blowing. Fortunately, wind blows somewhere all the time. A challenge that wind faces is the fact that it's different from traditional fossil fuel sources of energy. As utilities learn more about wind, resistance to its use is usually replaced by a favorable opinion. The good thing about wind is that water is not required to create energy. That's important in Arizona."

And when explaining the improved technology in wind energy, Ormond points out that Arizona is home to the world's largest manufacturer of small wind systems: Southwest Windpower in Flagstaff. "This company has just released the Skystream Turbine which can produce 3.7 Kilowatts of energy. This new turbine is designed to connect directly to the electric grid and be user friendly. It was developed jointly with the U.S. Department of Energy."

Ormond also points out that no one knows the land in Arizona better than our farmers and ranchers. "Farmers and ranchers are better suited to bring to the attention of wind developers special features of their land that may
hold promise of wind development. If a landowner wanted to help determine if their property has a decent wind resource they can purchase and install a small wind turbine. Some turbines have the capability of collecting information on wind speeds that is key to determining if there is a commercially-developable wind resource. The landowner will produce energy for use on their property while collecting valuable information."

One ranch family in northern Arizona is planning on doing just that. Though the rancher has asked for anonymity until the contract is secure, they hope to produce their own energy to use in their operation and as their wind farm expands consider selling any excess to interested utility companies. Their interest is to maximize the use of their property while using a natural-occurring renewable energy source. Feasibility studies were previously done to determine if a wind farm would work.

Barbara Lockwood, APS's manager of renewable energy, highlights their RFP program. "We've just put out a request for proposal that encourages business, including agriculture, to propose energy generation projects that
we review to see if there is a potential partnership."

With SRP's 493MW of renewable energy and APS's 106.5MW of renewable energy, both are on their way toward helping the state achieve its goal of 15 percent renewable generation by 2025 (SRP is not under the Arizona
Corporation Commission ruling, but its board of directors has voluntarily set the same goal). SRP is currently at 5 percent and both utilities share a solid conviction that the 2025 goal is quite achievable. One can't help speculate that if the two industries gathered together in a more collaborative effort, however, that greater economic benefits could move the state into a leadership position.  APS's Lockwood says it well when looking at the growth in our state by suggesting that "we need to look at several options. Some of the possibilities are short-term and some are long-terms but we have to work on all options."

SRP's Singleton adds, "Considering that agriculture was the basis for our founding more than 100 years ago, we are open to any discussions with farmers and ranchers related to renewable energy development." Perhaps their commentary becomes an invitation to agriculture to step up and drive some of these initiatives. For more information, contact Julie Murphree, Director Public Relations, Arizona Farm Bureau, 480-635-3607. Source: Julie Murphree, Director Public Relations, Arizona Farm Bureau. 4/27/1977. 

Investing in Biomass Fuels Will Pay off for Wisconsin

Ask the average person what comes to mind when he or she hears the phrase, "alternative fuel sources," and you'll probably hear about solar power and wind power, and maybe even hydroelectricity.  "Manure" probably won't pop up in the conversation. But that needs to change, according to Wisconsin firm Better Environmental Solutions, which produced a report that highlights the abundance of biomass available for energy use in the state. The report, presented at a Madison biofuels conference, notes that Wisconsin has nearly 15 million tons of such matter that could be turned into 1.3 billion gallons of ethanol in a state that uses 2.6 billion gallons of gasoline annually.

Useable materials include prairie grass, crop residue, paper-making waste and cattle manure--matter that generally is considered worthless.  The state already is taking action on the matter. Besides the $40 million Gov. Jim Doyle has proposed in his budget to promote renewable fuels, Wisconsin has joined the 12-state North Central Bio Economy Consortium, which will focus on developing crop residue as a viable fuel source.

The study reports that those 12 Midwest states create up to 231 million tons of excess biomass a year, enough to create 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol, double the current amount. If burned for energy, it could replace a third of the coal used annually. Obviously, these are all projections. Reality has a nasty habit of not quite living up to expectations, especially when business is involved. However, that doesn't mean the state and private industry shouldn't seriously invest time, research and money into investigating the potential of biomass. With Wisconsin struggling to determine what its identity will be in the 21st century as the manufacturing sector continues to wane, becoming the "biofuel Saudi Arabia of America," as Brett Hulsey, the study's author, predicts, isn't such a bad idea.

Given the energy-intensive process to create ethanol from corn and the effect on crop prices created by that growing demand, finding other ways to create the gasoline alternative could produce benefits beyond simply powering an automobile.  Even if the results only alleviate our reliance on petroleum or coal and biomass ethanol doesn't become a booming export, it could still generate perhaps billions in in-state economic activity and free up resources to continue the state's reinvention.  Source: PostCrescent, 4/26/07.

NH Senate Unanimously Passes a Renewable Portfolio Standard

After years of hard work from advocacy groups, utilities and legislators, New Hampshire finally passed a renewable portfolio standard, which will require state utilities to generate 25 percent of electricity from renewable resources by 2025. The RPS passed the Senate unanimously, following an overwhelming victory in the House on April 5th. When Governor John Lynch signs the bill in the coming weeks, New Hampshire will become the 22nd state to pass such a standard. Senate Energy Committee Chair Martha Fuller Clark said, "We've been able to learn from all of the other states, and I believe put together an excellent piece of legislation that will stimulate economic development as well as renewable energy development."

New Hampshire currently has a rated renewable energy generation capacity of 14 percent of total electricity. Actual generation is more like 8-10 percent, depending on how much electricity is exported to neighboring states. The RPS will increase that generation by about 15 percent in the next 18 years. The new standard will support technologies such as biomass, hydro, wind, solar and geothermal. The legislation also allows for a review of the standard so that the state can adjust "carve-outs" for various technologies if needed. "All of us had our own particular thing that we wanted in [the RPS] and it really was like herding cats, getting all of us to realize that we just had to compromise," said Carolyn Demorest, Legislative Coordinator for the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association. "But this is a great bill and there will be room in the future do adjust it if needed."

The RPS has been a long time in passing. Similar bills have been introduced over the years, but there wasn't enough support to get them through either chamber of Congress. New Hampshire has the largest legislature in the country besides the U.S. Congress, so there were many competing interests involved in the process. "It took time and a lot of listening, and I have to credit all the legislators and stakeholders who knew they wouldn't get everything they wanted, but they wanted to get a good bill that's balanced," said Joanne Morin, Technical Programs Manager at the NH Department of Environmental Services. Morin worked for over 5 years to get the RPS passed.

New Hampshire is the last state in New England to pass a RPS. 12 other states around the country are considering passing similar legislation. According to Senator Fuller Clark, the RPS represents a broader acceptance of renewable energy and an understanding of the serious environmental and economic problems associated with climate change. "All of these things have converged together at a time when we're also seeing the marketplace invest in renewable energy in a way that they never have before. So I just think the stars lined up," she said.  [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]  Source: By Stephen Lacey, Staff Writer, 4/26/2007.

Colorado Renewable Energy Legislation Update  

Several bills supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency have been introduced in the current legislative session. Some of the bills have already been signed into law, and others are still under consideration. The following lists identify the status of some of the major initiatives as of April 23, 2007.  In May, upon the end of the current legislative session, GEO will provide another update.
 
Signed by Governor Bill Ritter:
SB 51 High Performance State Buildings
SB 100 Energy Resource Zones Transmission Development
SB 126 Funding for the Collaboratory
SB 145 Renewable Energy Fixtures Incentives
HB 1087 Wind for Schools
HB 1281 Expanded Renewable Portfolio Standard

Pending:
SB 91 Renewable Resource Generation Development Areas
SB 147 Requirement for Alternative Fuels in Gasoline
SB 238 Ethanol Biodiesel Fuel Clean Energy
SB 246 Clean Energy Fund
HB 1145 Renewable Resource Development on Public Lands
HB 1150 Clean Renewable Energy Authority
HB 1169 Cooperative Electric Association Net Metering
HB 1279 Machinery Exempt for Sales & Use Tax
HB 1146 Energy Conservation Building Codes
HB 1037 Natural Gas Utility Energy Efficiency
HB 1060 Bioscience Research Grants
HB 1203 Energy Management and Conservation Studies
HB 1228 Renewable Energy Crops and Excise Tax Elimination
HB 1309 Use Interest on Severance Tax to Increase Energy Efficiency in Public Schools
HB 1191 Property Tax Exemption for Alternative Energy Generating Facilities
Source: Colorado Governor's Energy Office, 4/27/2007.

Vermont Utility Creates Program to Allow Customers to go Carbon Neutral

Vermont utility Green Mountain Power announced April 23 that it will offer a "choose2bgreen" program that provides customers a way to neutralize their carbon footprints through renewable power and home heating and driving offsets.

Choose2bgreen allows the utility's customers to sign up for three different programs on its Web site: Greener GMP, CoolHome and CoolDriver. GreenerGMP allows customers to purchase energy from certified renewable resources equal to some or all of their monthly use. CoolHome and CoolDriver give customers an option to offset their individual carbon footprint associated with heating their homes and driving their cars, respectively. Customers can sign up for one program or all three. Participation ranges from just $3 per month--the cost of offsetting a small car--to approximately $50 per month--the cost of purchasing 100-percent renewable energy and offsetting both home heating and driving a large SUV.

The CoolHome and CoolDriver offsetting programs are offered in partnership with NativeEnergy, headquartered in Charlotte, Vt. In addition, the offsets for Green Mountain Power's operations will be purchased from NativeEnergy and paid for by the rcompany's owner. Funds raised through these programs are used to help finance the construction of renewable energy projects, including Vermont and Northeast-based methane and biomass projects. These projects displace electricity from fossil fuels and reduce other greenhouse gas emissions, making up for the carbon emissions from daily home and travel requirements. The offsets are donated to and retired by Clean Air--Cool Planet, a Northeast-based nonprofit environmental leader, which has partnered with Green Mountain Power since 2002.

Green Mountain Power is an electric utility owned by Northern New England Energy Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaz Metro, a Quebec energy company. Green Mountain Power transmits, distributes and sells electricity and utility construction services in a Vermont service territory with approximately 90,000 customers. Source: April 23 Greenwire article picked up by Ecosystem Marketplace, 4/23/2007.

For more information on marketing and research go to: http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/

Grants, RFPs & Other Funding News

Distributed Systems Integration Solicitation Released

The Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability announced today a funding opportunity for cost-shared cooperative agreements that will facilitate efforts to enhance U.S. energy infrastructure. The awards are expected to amount to $38 million over 5 years.

Multiple financial assistance awards will be issued under each of two program areas of interest:

1. Secure Control Systems for the Energy Sector-improve the security of controls systems for energy delivery by performing research and development activities.
   
2. Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration-research, development, and demonstration of distribution system configurations with the integration of significant amounts of distributed resources for providing power or load management during peak load periods and for other functions and services.

The two areas of interest in this Funding Opportunity Announcement will be open to all applicants except other
Federal agencies. Prospective applicants are encouraged to assemble or coordinate an integrated team, including a commercialization entity and an end-user, such as a utility or transmission operator.

Those interested in applying may view the announcement, listed under 81.122 "Electricity and Delivery and Energy
Reliability, Research, Development, and Analysis," and apply online at Grants.gov. The announcement will also be available at the DOE's Industry Interactive Procurement Systems or "e-center", but applications will only be received through Grants.gov. For more information, contact Energetics Incorporated, 410-290-0370, 7164 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046. Source: Energetics Incorporated, 4/30/07.
 

For more information on funding solicitations go to: http://www.repartners.org/grants.htm