In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Solar power keeps L.A.'s Metro running in black and green
		Hospitals discover energy efficiency good for ailing budgets
		Teamwork helps small-town utility keep big customer happy
		Nucor energy teams tune up program with DOE assessment
		Energy efficient pool keeps Hemingford residents cool
		Utilities help local grocery stores find energy savings
		Many options available to make airports greener
		Insulation plant participates in DOE energy assessment program
		Western helps municipal, Federal agencies purchase RECs
		Power partnerships produce renewables education events
		Topics from the Power Line: Restaurant could benefit from heat-pump water heating
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Calculating energy savings of indoor swimming pool measures
		Calendar of events

Power partnerships produce renewables education events

Because every renewable resource has its own benefits and challenges, utilities trying to assemble diversified power portfolios can sometimes feel like mice in pursuit of hidden cheese.

This reality is not lost on several power industry organizations that have teamed up to help electric cooperatives and public power utilities navigate the maze of issues and opportunities surrounding renewables. Western is co-sponsoring a series of educational events on renewable energy applications and opportunities with National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, American Public Power Association, Bonneville Power Administration, Geothermal Resource Council, Utility Energy Forum and DOE's Wind Powering America and GeoPowering the West programs. 

Variety of formats, topics

The partnership recently released its event schedule for 2006-07, a mix of live workshops and interactive Web presentations. "Both formats have their advantages, and we wanted to offer utilities the best of both," explained Western Renewable Resource Program Manager Randy Manion.

Putting together a comprehensive list of topics was a challenge, Manion admitted. "So much is happening in the industry right now and every development raises new questions for utilities," he said. "We tried to address as many issues as possible. I think the schedule does a good job of that."

The first event was a meeting of the Utility Geothermal Working Group in San Diego, Calif., on Sept. 11. The meeting was presented in conjunction with the Geothermal Resources Council National Conference. Speakers from Southern California Public Power Authority and San Diego Gas and Electric discussed transmission projects and resource portfolio plans associated with geothermal power generation.

Western's Electric Power Training Center in Golden, Colo., will host a wind interconnection workshop Jan. 24 and 25. Participants will learn how to integrate wind generation into a utility's power mix using EPTC's new wind simulator program. The workshop will also include an introduction to the Utility Wind Integration Group's new internet-based tools program.

Webinars look at strategies, technologies

The "webinars" cover wind, solar and geothermal applications as well as financing, delivery and strategies for increasing the use of renewable energy. 

The schedule kicks off October 11 with "Markets for Renewable Energy Credits." Presentations will provide the latest news on voluntary and mandatory renewable energy credit markets and utility green power programs for customers. Topics will include competitive REC markets, tracking systems, state policies, potential project sites, financing and more. 

The Energy Future Coalition has set a national goal of getting 25 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2025.  Find out more from the Nov. 1 "Project 25 x 25" webinar. Participants will learn about the effort's supporters, national strategies to expand the use of wind and other renewables and how power providers can get involved. 

Utility representatives who want to learn more about the technologies available to them will have plenty of opportunity. "The Central Solar Option" will be examined on Nov. 17. The webinar will provide an overview of concentrating solar power, including existing systems, new construction and cost outlook.

The Utility Geothermal Working Group will present two webinars on geothermal power. Geothermal Power Generation on Dec. 6 will focus on electricity from this base load resource. On Jan. 17, "Direct Use and Geothermal Heat Pump Applications" will highlight the widely available low-temperature technologies.

Wind power, the fastest growing form of generation in the United States, is the topic of the Jan. 11 webinar, "Wind Power Case Studies." Power providers can learn from other utilities' experiences presented in small, medium and large wind project case studies.

More issues covered

There is more to renewable energy than generation, however, and there are webinars to address those issues, too. "Clean Renewable Energy Bonds" on Dec. 7 will show how electric cooperatives and public power utilities are using CREBs to help finance renewable energy generation projects.  

Educating consumers about renewable energy and getting their support for project development is another challenge confronting publicly-owned utilities. Participants will learn strategies for increasing public involvement in "Public Participation to Gain Acceptance of Renewable Energy" on Feb. 7. Also, APPA will introduce its new DEED product, Public Participation for Consumer Owned Utilities: An Implementation Guide. 

"Transmission Opportunities and Constraints" will be the subject of the final webinar March 7. Speakers will discuss transmission projects and issues associated with bringing more wind and other renewable energy projects on line. 

New developments in the fast-changing renewable energy industry often send power providers scrambling to catch up. Educational events like these can help utilities work their way through the power portfolio maze to that elusive reward— reliable, low-cost power supply with reduced environmental impact.

Event sponsors anticipate that enrollment for the workshops and webinars will fill quickly, so early reservations are recommended. Electric cooperatives and public power utilities can register for any of these events by contacting Debbie Rock at 720-962-7271.