Renewable Energy News, September 30, 2010

On September 28, 2010, Vermont's own Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the "Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010." The bill would explicitly allow states to develop their own feed-in tariff programs, like the SPEED program here in Vermont, to encourage the development of renewable energy resources.

Sanders' bill comes in response to a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in July that has caused uncertainty for such programs, especially for those that have already been implemented by several states.

Follow the links to view Senator Sanders' letter of introduction for the bill, as well as the "Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010" itself.

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Construction to begin on 80-megawatt Broken Bow Nebraska wind farm

Nebraska Public Power District and several private companies have signed a 20-year agreement paving the way for construction of an 80-megawatt wind farm near Broken Bow.

The agreement on the Broken Bow farm brings NPPD half way to its goal of having 10 percent of its energy come from new renewable energy resources by the end of 2020, said Dave Rich, NPPD renewable energy development manager.

Midwest Wind Energy, Edison Mission Group and its affiliate, Broken Bow Wind, said construction of the wind farm will begin in October 2011 and the facility should be in operation by the end of 2012.

Arizona outlines plans for algae-fuels production

Arizona took a $4 million step toward creating a new industry Tuesday as state officials announced a new algae-fuels center at Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus in Mesa.

Gov. Jan Brewer and Science Foundation Arizona Director William Harris on Tuesday told scientists from around the world that Arizona will become a global center for research and production of algae fuels.

In announcing $4 million in grants and matching funds from government and industry, Brewer and Harris said the investment could produce billions of dollars for the state and millions of gallons of fuel for aircraft and vehicles.

Thinking Small, and Still Smaller, on Wind Power

In fact, many of the recent renewable plants in Italy are small in scale — a turbine or two in a village — not those immense wind parks that dominate a landscape. That is partly the because the permitting process for large-scale installation is so complicated in Italy.

Still, across the globe, there are signs that wind energy innovators are trying to go smaller still. Just as there are rooftop solar panels, so, too, engineers have designed rooftop turbines.

Swift turbines, designed by the British company Renewable Devices, are pole-mounted rooftop wind turbines that can generate as many as 1,900-kilowatt hours of energy a year, supplementing the supply of energy-poor households at a time of high electricity rates.

This summer, the French designer Philippe Starck unveiled his own chic version of a rooftop turbine, a sculptural gizmo called the Revolutionair, which comes in quadrangular or helicoidal shapes and costs about $3,500.

DOE Announces Dates for the Solar Decathlon 2011

DOE announced on September 23 that the Solar Decathlon 2011 will hold its opening ceremony on September 22, 2011, and will be open to the public from Friday, September 23, through Sunday, October 2. The DOE Solar Decathlon is a competition that challenges collegiate students from across the globe to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, attractive, and easy to live in. Student teams generally spend nearly two years designing and partially building their solar homes on or near their campuses. The teams then transport their homes to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where they complete construction of the homes and then operate them for more than a week while competing in ten contests.

Google Hires Solar Vet To Build Internal Solar Tech

Google’s clean power ambitions are ramping up. The company has hired Philip Gleckman, former chief scientist at solar thermal startup eSolar, to work on solar tech internally for Google, Green Energy Reporter first reported, and we’ve confirmed with Google.

Google’s Parag Chokshi, who heads up Clean Energy Public Affairs, told me in an email that Gleckman “has a wealth of experience in this sector and his expertise will obviously add to our research and development work..."

REV's 9th Annual Renewable Energy Conference & Expo

Tomorrow, September 30th, marks the start of Renewable Energy Vermont's two-day renewable energy conference and expo. REV's fall conference is in its ninth year and is being held at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center.

Renewable energy technology and policy experts, as well as more than 60 of the region's renewable energy businesses, will be leading workshops and discussions on Vermont's sustainable future.

Brian Dunkiel of SDRS will be on a panel discussing renewable energy policy and Geoff Hand, also of SDRS, will be moderating the panel on wind energy development in Vermont.

For more information, please visit http://www.revermont.org/conference_2010.html.

Renewable Energy News, September 28, 2010

Study: Winds could power East Coast

The strong winds off the Atlantic Ocean could become a cost-effective way to power much of the East Coast - especially the Carolinas, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, a new study released today says.

The report by the conservation advocacy group Oceana argues that offshore wind could generate 30 percent more electricity on the East Coast than could be generated by the region's untapped oil and gas. It predicts that wind from the ocean could be cost competitive with nuclear power and natural gas to produce electricity.

Scotland 'renewable powered by 2025'

First Minister Alex Salmond has said he is "confident" 100% of Scotland's electricity needs will come from renewable power by 2025.

Mr. Salmond was speaking ahead of an international conference, which will debate low carbon developments and renewable energy projects.

Last week, the target to generate electricity from renewable sources was lifted to a new high for Scotland.

The Scottish Government now wants 80% of electricity consumption to come from renewables, such as wind and wave power, by 2020 - up from the previous 50% target.

Yingli scales up its output

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd, one of the world's leading solar panel makers, is planning to increase its production capacity by at least four times to meet strong demand from overseas markets.

"We will continuously enlarge the scale of our production since we received orders for 4 gigawatts (gW) for 2011 by the end of June. The current production capacity is expected to just exceed 1 gW," Bryan Li, chief financial officer of Yingli, told China Daily.

The New York-listed company began construction of a 100-megawatt multi-crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing plant last month in Hainan province at a cost of 770 million yuan. The new plant is expected to be completed by May 2011.

$16M investment goal reached for SD wind farm

South Dakota Wind Partners says it has secured the $16 million it needs to start building a publicly invested wind farm near White Lake.

The federal government will pay the rest of the estimated $23 million cost.

The seven-turbine wind farm would be next to a larger 101-turbine project. It will be built, operated and maintained by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, which also will buy the electricity it produces.

Developer hopes to capitalize on wind power near Delta Junction, Alaska

A Fairbanks developer said Tuesday he hopes he can build a 25-megawatt wind farm near Delta Junction despite limited avenues for public aid.

Mike Craft said his firm, Alaska Environmental Power, is working with Golden Valley Electric Association to study how to best feed wind power into Interior Alaska’s transmission grid.

The work parallels planning by Golden Valley for a separate wind farm near Healy.

Vermont Gubernatorial Candidates Shumlin and Dubie share similar platform on wind

Two years ago, the contrast between the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor on the issue of large-scale wind power was clear.

As Gov. James Douglas reiterated his longstanding opposition to the “commercialization and industrialization” of Vermont’s ridge tops, his Democratic opponent, Gaye Symington, touted an aggressive pro-wind platform that would see turbines providing 20 percent of the state’s electricity needs by 2018.

“It is time for Jim Douglas to stop tilting at windmills and let me build them instead,” Symington said at a 2008 campaign event in Hinesburg.

This year, distinguishing between the major-party candidates’ views on wind power isn’t so easy. Both Republican Brian Dubie and Democrat Peter Shumlin have long championed utility-scale wind generation as a key component in Vermont’s energy future. Dubie’s stance on the issue, in fact, has been one of the more notable differences between him and Douglas.

Renewable Energy News, September 17, 2010

California Braces for Showdown on Environmental Law

A ballot initiative to suspend a milestone California law curbing greenhouse gas emissions is drawing a wave of contributions from out-of-state oil companies, raising concerns among conservationists as it emerges as a test of public support for potentially costly environmental measures during tough economic times.

Charles and David Koch, the billionaires from Kansas who have played a prominent role in financing the Tea Party movement, donated $1 million to the campaign to suspend the Global Warming Solutions Act, which was passed four years ago, and signaled that they were prepared to invest more in the cause. With their contribution, proponents of the proposition have raised $8.2 million, with $7.9 million coming from energy companies, most of them out of state.

US DOE Awards Almost $100M To Renewable Energy Research

The Obama administration has made it clear from day one that it is interested in furthering the development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects throughout the United States. Announcements made this week and last by the government highlight that commitment.

State OKs $4 billion SoCal solar project

State regulators have approved a $4 billion solar project that officials say will produce hundreds of construction jobs and ultimately generate enough electricity to power 800,000 homes in Riverside County.

The California Energy Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to begin construction of the thousand-megawatt Blythe Solar Power Project on public land near the Arizona border at the end of the year.

The project still needs approval from the Bureau of Land Management, which is expected to vote next month.

Legal battle delays $120 million wind farm in Maine

Town leaders in the western Maine town of Roxbury say a legal appeal has tied up financing for a 22-turbine wind farm.

Selectmen say work was supposed to begin this month on Record Hill Wind's $120 million project, but construction will have to await the outcome of a legal battle.

Record Hill principal Robert Gardiner tells the Sun Journal newspaper that the wind project opponents' appeal has tied up financing pending a favorable decision.

ACORE Releases a State-by-State Report on Renewable Energy

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) released a report on September 14 that compiles data on renewable energy developments, resource potentials, and financial, market, and policy information on a state-by-state basis. The report is intended to be an executive summary of the renewable energy sector in each state. The state summaries show the wide range of renewable energy development in the United States, ranging from Louisiana, with only 200 kilowatts of grid-connected solar power and production capabilities for 1.5 million gallons of biofuels per year, to California, with 2.7 gigawatts of wind power, 2.6 gigawatts of geothermal power, 1.1 gigawatts of grid-connected solar power, 705 megawatts of biomass power, and production capabilities for nearly 200 million gallons of biofuels per year.

Solar projects becoming more feasible through Rural Development

Small businesses and farmers are beginning to take advantage of a program through USDA Rural Development that provides a grant of up to 25 percent of the costs of installing renewable energy systems, up to $500,000 with a minimum of $2,500.

Of particular interest has been solar panels, which cost around $5-$6 per watt to install, but which often pay for themselves within a few years as well as provide income when energy is sold back to the electric utility.

“We are gratified that more rural Georgia businesses and farmers are willing to install solar,” said Donnie Thomas, acting state director of USDA Rural Development. “Solar does require an upfront investment from the business, but the return on that investment is lessened when USDA funds, state tax credits and federal tax payments are used. Solar is good for the environment and is good for Georgia.”

Renewable Energy News, September 8, 2010

Maine tidal power turbine being moved to benefit fishermen

For weeks, Ocean Renewable Power Co. has been working with local officials and the Maine Marine Patrol to find a new location for its tidal power turbine so that the equipment would not negatively affect local fishermen.

Rumors were rampant this week that the 60-kilowatt turbine was supposed to have been removed by Sept. 1 and that it would interfere with the coming sea urchin season.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator John Sutherland and ORPC Project Manager John Ferland both confirmed that the date for removal is Sept. 30, although the mooring should be removed as early as next week.

“We are showing our respect for the fishing industry,” Ferland said. “We are not taking any of their concerns lightly, and things are going very well.”

Ferland said a new location has been found for the turbines off Seward Neck, where it will not get in the way of divers or draggers.

Delaware energy: State OKs Delmarva contracts for renewables

Two Delmarva Power contracts for renewable energy received the blessing of the Delaware Public Service Commission on Tuesday.

The PSC approved Delmarva's 20-year, $42.6 million power purchase from a solar electricity farm planned in Dover, and also approved moving back the dates for electricity deliveries from the NRG Bluewater Wind offshore wind project. Bluewater and Delmarva officials have cited federal permitting delays for moving back project milestones.

Both projects will help the utility satisfy a state requirement that it buy an increasing amount of its power from renewable sources.

National leaders focus on renewable energy in Nevada

The Center for American Progress Action Fund and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., hosted the third in a series of national clean-energy summit meetings Tuesday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. More than 40 people rallied outside the event, with some wearing green hard hats and waving signs that equated clean energy with green jobs.

Reid said that encouraging the development of emerging clean-energy industries could ease the nation’s security problems and help overcome economic woes.

“We need to take that little spark and turn it into a wildfire,” Reid said.

Indiana panel's proposal would expand 'net metering'

A proposed expansion of Indiana's rules dictating which owners of wind turbines and other renewable power systems get credit for excess power they generate is drawing early support from clean energy advocates.

The draft "net metering" rule would boost the state's power cap for renewable power units and expand it to all customer classes served by electric utilities.

Under net metering, customers are charged only for the net amount of power they use. They get credit on future bills for excess power generated and sent into the electric grid.

Nevada Geothermal Project Gets DOE Loan Guarantee

DOE announced on September 7 a partial guarantee for a $98.5 million loan to the 49.5-megawatt Blue Mountain "Faulkner 1" geothermal project in northwestern Nevada. The project consists of a geothermal well field along with fluid collection and injection systems that enable energy to be extracted from rock and fluid below the Earth's surface. It uses a power plant that converts geothermal energy into electricity. The project has a 20-year power purchase agreement to sell electricity and renewable energy credits to Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc.

China atop renewable energy index

China overtook the U.S. to lead a quarterly index of the most attractive countries for renewable energy projects for the first time, according to the global accounting firm Ernst & Young, which compiles the list.

China, which shared the lead with the U.S. in the first quarter, moved ahead of the world's largest economy and ranked the most attractive for investment in wind and solar projects.

The move followed the failure of a proposed energy bill in the U.S. to include a clean energy standard, the company said Tuesday.

Renewable Energy News, September 2, 2010

Williston, Vermont farm updates with solar energy

David Isham of Isham Family Farm, established in 1871, said that each generation of his five-generation farm has made their mark on the Williston land. His son, Michael Isham, has proven to be no different. He took it over six years ago. The two watched as solar panels were installed on the farm Monday.

"It's supposed to be all automatic," Michael Isham said. "I don't have to do a thing."

The panels, using GPS positioning to track the sun across the sky will produce approximately 1,200 kilowatt-hours a year.

Marin Clean Energy outpaces other California utilities

Marin Clean Energy is outpacing Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and the state's other large, investor-owned utilities in the level of renewable energy content it supplies to its customers, according to an analysis of mid-year compliance reports required by state utility regulators.

The 26.5 percent renewable energy that comprises Marin Clean Energy's portfolio exceeds that of PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric by approximately 50 percent, 35 percent and 90 percent, respectively.

State utility regulators require all energy providers to report on their progress in meeting California's goal of providing no less than 20 percent renewable energy — measured as a percentage of annual retail electricity sales — by the end of 2010.

California Governor: Still Hope For Renewable-Energy Bill

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he would work to help push through an ambitious renewable-energy bill that the state legislature failed to pass before a midnight deadline.

Schwarzenegger said he would work with lawmakers on the renewable-energy bill while negotiating the state budget.

"We can fine-tune that so we get it done," he said, speaking at a press conference webcast from Sacramento where he discussed the outlook for a bipartisan agreement on the state's budget.

Renewable Energy News, September 1, 2010

Denver Mint to coin new energy approach, use wind

The U.S. Mint in Denver is going green.

Xcel Energy said Tuesday that the Mint, which produces coins, will start getting all its electricity from wind power. The federal facility will buy its power from the utility's Windsource program, through which customers pay a little more to support the development of electricity generated by wind farms.

Xcel Energy says the Mint will be one of the largest purchasers of renewable energy in Colorado. It uses nearly 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Exelon, a Nuclear Energy Giant, Moves Into Wind Power

Exelon, a nuclear giant that recently backed away from building new nuclear plants, is moving into wind.

The company announced today that it was buying John Deere Renewables, which has 735 megawatts in operation and 230 megawatts in “advanced stages of development” in Michigan. The price was $860 million, plus another $40 million if ground is broken on the Michigan projects.

In March, Exelon withdrew its application for a construction and operating license for a twin-unit nuclear plant in Victoria County, Tex., citing lower projections for electric demand because of the recession. It had stopped work on the application last year. Instead, it asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for pre-approval of the site, which would speed up the approval process if it decided later that it wanted to build. But the decision left the country’s largest nuclear operator without a direct role in what the nuclear industry hopes is a renaissance.

SJC ruling gives Cape Wind project green light to build

A divided Supreme Judicial Court ruled yesterday that a state board had the power to sidestep community opposition to grant the controversial Cape Wind energy project local and state permits it needs to start construction in the waters off Cape Cod.

The long-awaited 4-2 decision removes a potential obstacle to the wind farm as its developers prepare to start building 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound within the year. If the court had sided with opponents, the project would probably have been delayed indefinitely or killed outright because several permits would have had to come from a community and a regional agency that oppose the project.

Cape Wind still must win approval from the state Department of Public Utilities, which is reviewing National Grid’s agreement to purchase half of the wind farm’s expensive power.

Facebook faces campaign to switch to renewable energy

Social networking website Facebook is coming under unprecedented pressure from its users to switch to renewable energy. In one of the web's fastest-growing environmental campaigns, Greenpeace international says at least 500,000 people have now protested at the organisation's intention to run its giant new data centre mainly on electricity produced by burning coal power.

Facebook will not say how much electricity it uses to stream video, store information and connect its 500m users but industry estimates suggest that at their present rate of growth all the data centres and telecommunication networks in the world will consume about 1,963bn kilowatt hours of electricity by 2020.

Windfarms bring renewable energy and good fortune to Romania

Exiled to the shores of the Black Sea 2,000 years ago, the Roman poet Ovid discovered the powerful winds that blew across that eastern border of the empire. To this day the wind continues to blow inland as far as Fantanele, a Romanian village located a few dozen kilometres from the coast.

"That's why we call it the Black Sea," said Constantin Stanciu, a farmer in Fantanele. "It's a rough sea and when it's angry, which is often, it blows this far inland." The wind is the only certainty in this isolated, hilly region. The land is arid and rocky, which limits the farming possibilities. And to judge by the farmers' leathery skin, the sun is as strong as the wind. The inhabitants have been resigned to the wind's onslaught for centuries, and their poverty is apparent.

But today the wind of history has turned in the villagers' favour.

California Legislature passes energy storage bill

The California Legislature has passed the nation's first energy storage bill, which could result in the state's utilities being required to bank a portion of the electricity they generate.

Assembly Bill 2514 (AB 2514) now heads to the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who has made climate change and green technology his political legacy as his final term winds down.

Energy storage is considered crucial for the mass deployment of wind farms, solar power plants, and other sources of intermittent renewable energy, as well to build out the smart grid.