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Washington OKs Bigger, Greener Power
Washington Gov. Gary Locke has signed a bill that raises the size of power plants public utilities can build without a public vote from 250 megawatts to 350 MW. He also signed a bill allowing energy produced from animal waste to count toward utilities' "green power" requirements. Source: Kennewick Tri-CityHerald, March 29, 2002 via UtiliCast NewsBriefs 3/25/2002.
Britain Issues Renewable Obligation Plan
The British government recently announced a plan that requires energy companies to provide funding for the development of new renewable energy resources. Under the obligation, electricity producers will be required to generate three percent of their power supply from renewables. Industry analysts said electricity suppliers will most likely pass on the costs of the scheme to consumers. However, while energy prices will increase due to the plan, many analysts are predicting short-term stabilization due to recent falls in wholesale energy prices. Because only 2.8 percent of Britain's energy is generated from renewables, many companies will be unable to comply with the obligation. All firms found in violation will have to pay a three pence fine for each kilowatt hour (kWh) produced below the standard. According to Renewable Power Association chief executive David Byers, the government never intended for the renewables goal to be met. The whole system was designed in order to stimulate production of renewable energy through compulsory investment Byers said. Source: Reuters 3/19/2002 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 3/22/2002
Center for Resource Solutions Now Certifying Green Tags
The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) has announced that Green-e certification is now available for tradable renewable energy certificates (TRCs)--also known as "green tags." The Green Power Board approved TRC certification criteria after more than a year's work by over 100 organizations and stakeholders from around the country. TRCs are an innovative market mechanism with potential to greatly expand markets for renewable energy. The availability of Green-e certification is expected to improve customer confidence and facilitate rapid growth of these new markets. TRCs certified by Green-e will directly support generation from newly developed renewable energy facilities. These certificates are created when a renewable energy facility generates electricity. Because the certificates represent all the features of renewable electricity except the electricity itself, they can be marketed as a separate product and sold, traded, or retired anywhere in the country. The part of renewable energy that is not electricity includes a growing list of valuable attributes, including many environmental benefits. TRCs bundle these attributes into a single, marketable commodity. TRCs can be sold independently or combined with "generic" electricity to provide customers with all the benefits of renewable electricity service. "TRC markets mean more customers will have access to clean renewable energy at lower cost," said Dr. Jan Hamrin, executive director of CRS, which manages the Green-e Program, "and providing certification for high quality TRC products means customers can buy with confidence that they are helping make the clean renewable energy industry grow." Places like North Dakota have excellent wind resources, for example, but relatively low demand for electricity. Big cities have high demand for green power but can be far from renewable resources. Purchase of TRCs allow renewable plants to be built where their cost is lowest while their positive attributes are delivered to customers anywhere. TRC marketers participating in Green-e will voluntarily undergo an independent audit to verify that they meet Green-e's stringent consumer and environmental protection criteria. "TRC markets mean renewable energy developers can find the best customers for their products regardless of where the actual generating facility is located," said Karl R. Rábago, chair of the Green-e Green Power Board that oversees the certification program, "and Green-e Certification means customers will have more choices of high-quality projects and products they can choose to support. The combination of these benefits will greatly increase liquidity in renewable energy markets and can be the catalyst for a huge expansion in renewable energy development." In addition to the benefits brought by greater renewable energy supply, TRCs provide any customer with the opportunity to support renewable energy development, regardless of whether they pay an electric bill (renters, for instance) or whether their utility offers a green power service option. Green-e certification will ensure that TRCs purchases support new renewable energy generation; that marketers supplying certified TRCs meet stringent environmental and consumer protection; and that marketers submit to an annual verification audit ensuring that TRC customers receive promised benefits. Further information is available by contacting Center for Resource Solutions, phone (415) 561-2100, or online at http://www.resource-solutions.org or http://www.green-e.org. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly 3/23/2002.
First Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Product in Texas
The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today that it has granted Green-e Certification to Austin, Texas based Green Mountain Energy Company‘s new renewable energy product offered in Texas. The Green Mountain Energysm 100% new wind energy product is the first green power product to be certified by the Green-e Program in Texas. The program provides consumers with a simple way to quickly identify environmentally superior electricity options. Green Mountain Energysm electricity in Texas is generated from newly built wind turbines in west Texas. Texas ranks number one in the nation in tons of the climate-changing pollutant, carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted from its power plants. In contrast, the Green Mountain Energysm product is 100 percent clean, pollution-free renewable energy. "Green Mountain Energy Company has set the bar high for other providers in Texas. Buyers of Green Mountain Energysm electricity support over 50 times the amount of renewable energy required by law," said Karl R. Rábago, former Texas PUC Commissioner and chair of the National Green Power Board, which governs the Green-e program. "Texans have been demanding an opportunity to change the way electricity is made for years," he added, "now they have the chance to really make a positive difference." Texas electricity deregulation began with a pilot program in 2001 and the full market opening in January of 2002, giving consumers the option to choose their power provider including providers offering renewable energy. Consumer choice, combined with a strong Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) has lead to a significant increase in demand for clean energy in the state. " Green Mountain Energysm electricity customers can buy renewable energy with complete confidence. Green-e verifies to Texas Green Mountain Energysm electricity customers that the electricity they use comes from wind energy, which produces no emissions and burns no fossil fuels," said Gabe Petlin, Green-e Program Manager. "Texans are truly embracing clean, pollution free electricity," said Gillan Taddune, Texas region president for Green Mountain Energy Company "We're proud to bring the first Green-e certified product to Texas and lead the way in promoting clean electricity in the State. It's a really powerful message when consumers learn that by switching their electric provider they can help clean the air we all breathe. Just by buying Green Mountain Energysm electricity, the average Texas household can avoid contributing over 20,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into our air each year." "The Green Mountain Energysm offering is proof that the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) enacted in 1999 has provided incentives to enable large and valuable amounts of renewable energy to be built in the state," said Jim Marston, director of the Environmental Defense, Texas Office. By law, all competitive electricity providers in Texas must use at least.5% new renewables in their energy supply mix increasing to 3% in 2010. To receive Green-e certification, a product's energy supply must come from at least 50% eligible new renewable resources such as wind, solar, small or low-impact hydro, geothermal, biogas, or biofuels Green Mountain Energysm electricity is 100% new renewable electricity and therefore exceeds this minimum requirement. Green Mountain Energy Company also agrees to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and to submit marketing materials to CRS to meet Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements. The company will undergo an annual verification process to document that the company purchased enough quantity and type of renewable electricity to meet customer demand and marketing claims. Currently, over 163,000 customers nationwide purchase Green-e certified electricity. Green Mountain Energy Company currently offers Green-e certified products in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania as well. Source: CRS Release 3/21/2002
For more information: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/ or http://www.thegreenpowergroup.org/
Energy Commission Geothermal Program
The California Energy Commission's Geothermal Program was created by Assembly Bill 1905 (Bosco) and has been in operation since 1981. During the first decade, it promoted California geothermal energy development by extending financial and technical assistance to public entities to support direct uses, planning, and mitigation projects. In 1992, the program was expanded to include financial assistance to private entities for research, development and commercialization projects. The funding source is revenue paid to the United States government by geothermal developers from production on federal leases in California. Typically, there are funds available each fiscal year in the Program's Geothermal Resources Development Account for awards to qualifying applicants, and are provided as grants or loans. The mission of the Program is to promote the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of California's enormous earth heat energy sources. A major program goal is to continue to develop a portfolio of near to long-term R&D projects in California. The Program has cost-shared in research, development and demonstration (RD&D) partnerships with over 160 public and private entities. It supports the development of new geothermal resources and technologies for low temperature uses and electricity generation while protecting the environment and promoting energy independence. Geothermal Funding Opportunity Notice was release March 29, 2002. Preapplication due by: May 20, 2002. Final Due Date: July 22, 2002. The Geothermal Program promotes funding for the following: RD&D projects which reduce the life-cycle cost of geothermal electricity generation. RD&D projects which reduce the uncertainty and cost of enhancing geothermal reservoir systems. Projects which mitigate the adverse impacts of geothermal development. Projects which provide significant environmental enhancement. Funding notices are available from the CEC main Funding and Opportunities page at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/#renewables. If you would like additional information about this program, please contact the Solicitation Administration: Jesse Rosales at 916-654-5129. Additional contacts include: Geothermal Education Office, Marilyn Nemzer, Executive Director, 800-866-4436; Geothermal Resources Council, 916-758-2360, The Oregon Institute of TechnologyGeo-Heat Center, http://www.oit.osshe.edu/~geoheat/ ; 541-885-1750; Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, http://www.mines.unr.edu/geothermal ; or see the U.S. DOE GeoPowering the West Program Website at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/geopoweringthewest/.
Enercon to Build 4.5-MW Wind Turbine Prototype
Enercon, a German wind turbine manufacturer, recently announced plans to build the world's largest turbine, which will be capable of generating 4 5 megawatts of power. The company said construction of the E-112 turbine is expected to begin this summer. The E-112 will feature a rotor span of 367 feet, a size that is primarily intended for use in offshore wind farm applications. Enercon noted that the first prototype will be installed on land in Magdeburg, Germany. The company said the first offshore model will be installed by 2003, with construction beginning on another 10 models in 2004. "We shall see if there is also a market for its onshore operation," said Enercon spokesperson Claus Pescha. "But the higher costs of transporting and installing such a large unit may mean that onshore producers will stay with the smaller turbines " Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly 3/15/2002
Nevada Revises Renewable Energy Rule
On March 20, the Nevada Public Utility Commission (PUC) released a proposal to eliminate price caps that were included in the original rulemaking on the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) law. The RPS law requires Nevada electric utilities to obtain 5% of the electricity sold to retail customers from renewable energy systems by 2003. The minimum increases by 2% every two years until it reaches 15% in 2013. In December, 2001, the PUC issued its final rule to implement the law. Included in the initial proposal was a provision authored by PUC chairman Don Soderberg stating that consumers' bills could not be affected by more than 0.05 cents per kWh in 2003 and 2004. Following the PUC proposal, a Legislative Commission concluded that price caps violated the legislative intent of the RPS and directed them to remove the caps. "We heard the Legislative Commission loud and clear," Soderberg said in deleting the price cap requirement. The PUC has scheduled a hearing on the revised rules May 6, with a vote on May 8. The response from the state's utilites on the PUC's elimination of the price cap has reportedly been muted because they have been satisfied with the prices bid in their request for proposals. The bids have been tightly competitive because over 3,000 MW of renewable power supply were bid for the 200 MW award .Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly 3/23/2002
Nation's Largest "Public Power" Wind Project Underway
Nation's Largest Wind Project Underway Near Kennewick. A few dozen dust-covered dignitaries gathered on a ridge eight miles south of Kennewick last week to witness a landmark event: the groundbreaking for Energy Northwest's Nine Canyon wind project. Nine Canyon is the largest public power wind farm in the nation and is expected to spark interest in wind elsewhere. Its 37 turbines, to be installed by fall, will generate 48 megawatts, enough to power about 12,000 homes. The 300-foot-high windmills, being built in Denmark, cost about $1 2 million each. Their fiberglass blades will turn at about 20 revolutions per minute. They will start automatically when wind speeds reach 7 mph, shut down at 56 mph and withstand gusts up to 123 mph. This project marks not only a big advance for renewable power but the resurrection of public power in Washington, which is still recovering from the devastating $2.25 billion bond default of the Washington Public Power Supply System in 1982. The $70 million bond sale, for Nine Canyon -- the bonds were sold at 5.85 percent net interest-was the first sale by Energy Northwest without Bonneville backing. A visitor center is part of the design, in part because Energy Northwest and its eight public utility district partners are trying to renew public confidence and become leaders in renewable energy. Energy Northwest is also considering teaming up with dairy farms in Washington, Oregon and Idaho to develop "cow power." The goal is to build a 3- to 4-megawatt electrical power plant fueled with "biogas," or manure-derived methane. Source: E-mail from Curtis Framel 3/21/2002
Two Biomass Pilot Projects Approved
Switchgrass may soon create energy in Illinois and Oklahoma and promote a cleaner environment, the U S Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Tuesday. During a meeting in Chicago with more than 300 area farmers and agribusiness representatives, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said the agency has approved two Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) biomass pilot projects for the two states. "Both projects promote the use of a renewable fuel and a cleaner environment," said Veneman. "The grass is easily obtained compared to coal, a fossil fuel. Burning switchgrass instead of coal reduces the amount of coal-related pollutants emitted into the air." Veneman visited Chicago to meet with farmers and to tour the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. As part of a project called "Converting Illinois CRP Grass Biomass Into Energy," switchgrass will be harvested from a CRP project located in the Illinois River watershed near Havana, Illinois. Biomass from the switchgrass will then be pelletized and used to help fuel traditional coal energy power plants. In Oklahoma, the "Converting CRP Grasses into Energy Pilot Project" is working with partners to locate markets for agricultural biomass. The project is also studying methods of combining CRP grass pellets with Oklahoma's high sulfur coal to determine if a lower sulfur product can be developed and marketed to power companies. The grass includes Old World Bluestem and some native grass mixtures grown on CRP acres in a five county area in the Oklahoma panhandle. Funded by the USDA and operated by the Farm Service Agency, CRP helps farmers and ranchers plant native trees and grasses on private land to improve the health of watersheds and other sensitive areas. The Illinois and Oklahoma CRP biomass pilot projects join four other CRP biomass pilot projects approved on March 21, 2001. The prior projects include developing warm and cool season grasses as a source of renewable energy in Iowa, growing of hybrid poplar trees on CRP to be used for biomass energy in Minnesota, growing willow biomass crops in New York, and producing switchgrass for sale to a local cooperative's coal fired fluid bed combuster that is used for burning alternative fuels in Pennsylvania Source: ENS 3/27/2002
U K Company Unveils Plans for Tidal Projects
United Kingdom (U.K.)-based energy company Tidal Electric, Ltd recently announced plans to build two artificial islands off the coast of Wales that will harness the tides to generate electricity. The company said the islands will fill with water at high tide and empty at low tide, with the tidal motion being used to power turbines. "Tidal power has been around for at least 1,100 years and probably more than that…but what has not been done is the particular configuration offshore," said Tidal Electric chairman Peter Ullman. Tidal Electric said the artificial islands will be built near Swansea and Rhyl, Wales. The Swansea station will generate approximately 30 megawatts (MW), while the Rhyl island will be much larger, producing more than 430 MW. The company said construction of the two installations, which could be operational by 2005, will cost approximately $737 million. Ullman said the company hopes to obtain funding from a variety of international investors. Ullman noted that tidal power has numerous advantages over conventional electricity generation, which can be unpredictable due to a variety of supply and demand factors. "We can tell you 98 years from now, from [2:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.], exactly how much power would be available," said Ullman. Source: Reuters 3/28/2002 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 4/1/2002
Manufacturer Selected for Toronto Wind Turbine
Toronto Hydro Energy Services, Inc. and the Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative (TREC) recently announced they have selected Lagerwey Windturbine International, B.V. as the manufacturer for their joint wind turbine project in Toronto, Canada. The Lagerwey turbine, a three-bladed, 750-kilowatt gearless generator, is capable of producing 1,800 megawatt hours of energy per year, according to Toronto Hydro. "We're delighted that in a matter of months, Toronto will be the site of the first downtown wind turbine in Canada," said Toronto Hydro president and CEO Hilda Mackow. "It's part of our commitment to our customers and the city -- to develop green electricity sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our local air quality." The government of Canada provided TREC with a $240,000 contribution towards the purchase of the wind turbine, with an additional $90,000 for project development. The Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) contributed a combination of grants and bridge financing for the project "[The project] will bring us closer to achieving the city of Toronto's objectives for air quality improvements," said TAF executive director Phillip Jessup. Toronto Hydro will purchase the electricity generated by the wind turbine as part of the pool of green power it plans to make available for purchase, while TREC will be selling memberships in its share of the turbine. The government of Canada has an option to acquire some of the electricity generated by the turbine for federal government facilities. Under a joint venture agreement, Toronto Hydro and TREC will install two wind turbines on Toronto's waterfront. Delivery of the first turbine is scheduled for September, with commissioning planned for later in the fall. Contact: Cathren Ronberg, Toronto Hydro, phone 416-542-3110; Bryan Young, TREC, phone 416-977-5093 Source: Canada Newswire 3/27/2002 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 4/1/2002
Looking For MSR Innovators
MSR program wants to honor individuals or partnerships that have demonstrated leadership, commitment and perserverance in helping make MSR a success. Since its inception, MSR has helped form more than 50 national partnerships, many of which have been creative and resourceful in helping MSR meet its ambitious goal of installing one million solar roofs by 2010. Know someone or a partnership that deserves recognition? Applications are due April 15th. Learn more about how to nominate a worthy candidate at http://www.irecusa.org/articles/show php4?recid=1016558539&a_uid=2f7a3170e8a9aa9f5496691047a21b3a, or on the MSR web site at http://www.eren.doe.gov/millionroofs/. Source: IREC PV4U Newsletter 3/22/2002
Huge Response to NABCEP's Draft Certification Requirements for PV Installers
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) received comments from more than 300 organizations and individuals who responded to its request for comments on the draft certification requirements for photovoltaic installers. Source: IREC PV4U Newsletter 3/22/2002 Read more about the comments and review the draft of the task analysis at http://www.irecusa.org/articles/show php4?recid=1016454213&a_uid=2f7a3170e8a9aa9f5496691047a21b3a
Green Developments: New CD-ROM from DOE
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), in cooperation with and funded by DOE and the Kettering Family Foundation, has released Green Developments, a CD-ROM featuring 200 green development case studies from around the world Copies of the CD-ROM are available from http://www.doe.gov. Source: IREC PV4U Newsletter 3/22/2002
Emissions Trading Growing More Popular
Emissions trading has become the policy of choice for addressing climate change in nations around the globe, finds a new report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. The report concludes that, while the greenhouse gas emissions market remains fragmented, trading activity has increased around the world over the last five years. Among the forces bringing trading in greenhouse gas credits to center stage are progress in the international climate talks, new carbon trading systems in Europe, and private sector trading initiatives in the United States and elsewhere. Ongoing negotiations of the Kyoto climate protocol, which will impose limitations on greenhouse gas emissions, have prompted many nations - although not the United States - to take preemptive steps to secure their places in the coming emissions market. Scientists warn that the Earth's average surface temperature could increase by five degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit) over the next century (Photo courtesy David Suzuki Foundation) "Despite the United States' inaction, it is abundantly clear that we are beginning to see the outlines of a genuine greenhouse gas market," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "Governments and businesses around the world understand that emissions trading is essential if we're going to address this issue in the most cost effective way possible." Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, 38 industrialized nations are committed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to an average of 5 2 percent below 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012. Trading of emissions credits, earned by companies that exceed mandated emissions cuts, is one of the mechanisms promoted by the protocol for combating global warming. But the Kyoto Protocol will not take effect until it is ratified by 55 percent of the nations emitting at least 55 percent of six greenhouse gases. While the European Union voted this month to ratify the protocol, the United States and other industrialized nations have expressed concerns about the costs of compliance with the treaty, and have so far refused to ratify the treaty. The Pew Center report, "The Emerging International Greenhouse Gas Market," notes that some nations are moving ahead with emissions trading in anticipation of new international requirements. The report concludes that in the absence of a ratified international agreement, the new market is evolving in a fragmented way. Most trades involving a commodity defined not by governments but by the trade's participants and known as verified emissions reductions (VERs). Governments may allow them to be applied against future emissions reduction requirements, but there are no guarantees. The authors estimate that "approximately 65 greenhouse gas trades for quantities above 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) have occurred worldwide since 1996." This figure includes trades of actual emissions reductions as well as financial derivatives based on reductions. Prices for VERs have ranged between $.60 and $3.50 per metric ton of CO2e Regional, national and subnational trading programs are operating under different rules, which could inhibit the formation of a unified market and increase the costs of trading, the authors warn. For example, emissions trading systems now in place or being developed in Denmark and the United Kingdom allow for trading of different gases, cover different economic sectors, and use different mixes of allowance and credit based trading. "To date, they have not developed rules governing interchange and mutual recognition of their tradable units with each other, which could impede or preclude beneficial cross border transactions," the report notes. The United Kingdom has adopted an emissions trading program covering companied like industries like the Corus Steel Works in the Tees Valley. "The challenge now is to forge links between these emerging regimes in order to ensure that trading systems are compatible," Claussen said. "We are already beginning to see interest in the U S Congress, and private sector efforts to build a trading system are even farther along. The need for certainty, consistency, and a level playing field will encourage a merging of trading regimes." The report's conclusions are based on a review of greenhouse gas transactions to date, including case studies of two transactions between four utilities involving verified emissions reductions credits. Such VER trades carry only the possibility, not a guarantee, that governments will allow them to be applied against future emissions reduction requirements, the report notes. The first case study reviews a purchase of VER credits by TransAlta, a Canadian electric utility, from HEW, a German utility HEW generated reductions by displacing some of its fossil fuel based generation with electricity generated by wind. The second case study looks at a purchase of VERs by Ontario Power Generation, a Canadian utility, from U S Gen, a subsidiary of the U S based PG&E National Energy Group U.S. Gen. created reductions by capturing and destroying methane produced at a landfill The authors of the report say that while these companies benefited from the trades, the lack of clear trading rules has increased transaction costs and been a significant impediment to the development of a more robust greenhouse gas trading market. The report also evaluates the potential evolution of the greenhouse gas (GHG) market, particularly in light of recent developments in climate change policy in the United States and internationally. Several governments have moved forward in designing domestic trading systems for climate changing gases while international trading rules remain under development. President George W. Bush says the U.S. will never ratify the Kyoto Protocol in its current form. At the national level, the United Kingdom and Denmark have established domestic emissions trading programs, and some trading in these programs has already begun. The European Union (EU) and other countries are now developing domestic trading policies as well. In the United States, the state of Massachusetts has launched a plan that will require reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants and will allow sources to trade emissions credits to meet the program's requirements. The Chicago Climate Exchange is the first U.S. voluntary pilot program for trading of greenhouse gases. Established through a grant from Chicago based Joyce Foundation to the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, it is being administered by Environmental Financial Products, LLC. Energy companies such as BP, Alliant, and Calpine are involved as are Dupont, Ford, the City of Chicago and Mexico City. "The development of these and other trading programs demonstrates that emissions trading has gained acceptance as a preferred policy instrument in the world's efforts to reduce GHG emissions," the Pew report notes. The European Union and other countries are moving rapidly towards ratification of the protocol with the intention of completing ratification in time for the World Summit on Sustainable Development set for Johannesburg South Africa August 26 to September 4. Still, the Pew authors conclude, "These programs will boost GHG trading activity and motivate more rapid emissions abatement than if governments had waited for the international community to conclude negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol" The report is available online at: http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/trading.htm Source: The Carbon Trader via ENS 3/20/2002
Tribal Energy Program
The Department of Energy's Tribal Energy Program has been published to the Web. The Program, under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for feasibility studies and shares the cost of implementing sustainable renewable energy installations on tribal lands. This program promotes tribal energy self-sufficiency and fosters employment and economic development on America's tribal lands. The Web site provides information about Native American renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that have been funded by the Department of Energy. The site includes valuable information such as: business opportunities, including the latest tribal energy solicitation; case studies on renewable energy projects on tribal lands; reports and resources; and links to other relevant sites. See the Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/power/tech_access/tribalenergy/.
For more information on Educational Resources go to: http://www.thegateway.org
DOE Selects Constellation Energy In $200 Million Campaign To Reduce Energy Costs Through Use of Renewables
Constellation Energy Source today confirmed its selection by the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as one of five companies to manage a national Biomass & Alternate Methane Fuels (BAMF) Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) for federal facilities The value of the contracts under the entire program is estimated to be up to $200 million "Similar to our success under the DOE's Federal Energy Management Program National Geothermal Heat Pump Super ESPC program, Constellation Energy Source is proud to again be selected to implement yet another renewable energy technology for the U S Government," said Constellation Energy Source President Greg Jarosinski Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said, "The contracts the Department of Energy is awarding today encourage innovative, biobased energy technologies to reduce federal energy consumption, without cost to the American taxpayers Our goal is to make bioenergy cost-competitive with traditional energy sources " The NETL reports that projects under the ESPC will reduce energy costs at federal facilities by utilizing biomass and alternate methane fuels in a variety of applications such as steam boilers, hot-water heaters, engines and vehicles Biomass fuels include any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, such as dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crop residues, aquatic plants, wood and wood residues, animal wastes, and other waste materials "Numerous opportunities exist for implementing BAMF projects and Constellation Energy Sources' proven creativity in the energy industry is a perfect fit By utilizing BAMF technologies we are able to reduce fuel costs, conserve our traditional fuel sources, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil The DOE-NETL program requires that the energy projects be centered on BAMF systems, but may include other cost-savings measures," said Jarosinski Note: Constellation Energy Source is a member of Constellation Energy Group (NYSE: CEG) Based in Baltimore, Constellation Energy Group owns energy related businesses, including a North American wholesale power marketing and merchant generation business and the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) Constellation Energy Group had $3.9 billion in revenues in 2001 and assets of $13 7 billion at December 31, 2001 Source: PR Newswire March 18, 2002
U S Senate Adopts Renewable Portfolio Sandard - First Such Standard to be Adopted in National Legislation
The U S Senate continues to consider S 517, its energy policy bill (see Update of 6 March), and in a voice vote late yesterday, adopted an amendment by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N M ) requiring investor-owned utilities to produce at least ten percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass or geothermal by 2020 Observers note that in order to gain broader support for this landmark "renewable portfolio standard," Bingaman made several changes to the bill's original RPS provisions, including the exemption of public power entities and municipal co-ops, as well as a broadening of the definition of "renewable energy " In earlier Senate action on the RPS, on 14 March Senators rejected an attempt by Senator James Jeffords (I-Vermont) to increase the bill's RPS to 20 percent from its current level of ten percent The amendment by Jeffords was rejected on a 70-29 vote, with both of Colorado's Senators (Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Ignacio and Wayne Allard, R-Loveland) voting against the amendment Earlier yesterday, the Senate rejected an amendment offered by Senator Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) that would have replaced the RPS with a provision calling upon states to consider implementation of green-pricing programs The Kyl amendment failed by a vote of 58 to 40, with Colorado's two Senators voting in favor of the amendment The Senate also rejected by a 57-39 vote an amendment by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would have exempted states that already have an RPS of any size Throughout the debate on the RPS, proponents cited government figures showing that a ten-percent RPS would reduce national electricity and gas bills by $13 billion between 2002 and 2020, while opponents claimed the RPS would be costly and warned against a new federal mandate to states Source: Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies Update, 22 March 2002
FERC Accepts Cal-ISO Proposal Regarding Intermittent Generation Sources
On March 27, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accepted a California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) proposal that will allow "intermittent" generation resources to participate in the state's competitive spot market Intermittent resources are solar or wind power (or other power-production technologies) systems that produce electricity only under certain conditions or during certain hours According to the FERC decision under Docket Nos ER02-922-000 and EL02-51-000, "this order benefits customers by addressing a major obstacle to development of new wind and other intermittent generation Encouraging the development of intermittent generation will increase diversity in the resource base, thereby improving system reliability as a whole " The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) endorses the decision, stating that the order makes it possible for wind plant owners to ship the electricity they generate to buyers over the transmission system without being subject to heavy non-cost-based penalties because they cannot predict, days or hours in advance, precisely how much transmission capacity they will need Instead, the plant owners will be required to supply forecasts of their transmission needs on an hourly basis and schedules based on those forecasts will be used to assign transmission capacity "It's hard to overstate the importance of this to the wind energy industry," said AWEA Policy Director Jim Caldwell The Cal-ISO ruling, he added, may help wind's (and other technologies') chances of obtaining similar nondiscriminatory treatment in other areas of the country where the penalty issue has not yet been resolved FERC Docket Nos ER02-922-000 and EL02-51-000, March 27, 2002; Source: Dow Jones Newswires, March 27, 2002 via American Wind Energy Association Press Release, March 28, 2002
Smot and Soot Rules Clear Final Legal Hurdle A federal appeals court has dismissed the final challenges to a 1997 clean air rule aimed at reducing smog and soot pollution throughout the nation Conservation groups and the Bush administration are hailing the decision, handed down Tuesday, as a major victory for those who support the government's right to protect public health and the environment over business interests For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2002/2002L-03-27-06.html Source: ENS 3/27/2002
For more information on legislative activities go to: http://www.kannerandassoc.com/fedenergybills.html or http://www.thomas.loc.gov/
Oil Will Dominate Growing Energy Demand
World demand for energy is expected to rise by 60 percent over the next two decades, predicts a report by the U S Energy Information Administration The agency says the increased energy consumption, led largely by oil, will boost releases of carbon dioxide by as much as 3 8 billion metric tons per year in 2020 Oil will continue to command 40 percent of the world's energy consumption, the EIA projects (Photo by Warren Gretz, courtesy National Renewable Energy Laboratory) The International Energy Outlook 2002, an annual projection of international energy demand, says that global energy consumption will grow 60 percent between 1999 and 2020, the period covered by the forecast The Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Department of Energy's analytical arm, reports that most of the growth will occur in developing countries in Asia, and in Central and South America Oil is expected to remain the world's dominant source of energy, accounting for about 40 percent of all energy consumption Increased consumption of oil and other fossil fuels will in turn, increase the world's emissions of carbon dioxide, the EIA reports Total carbon dioxide emissions are projected to increase by 62 percent between 1999 and 2020 However, carbon intensity - the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per dollar of gross domestic product (GDP) - is projected to improve throughout the world over the next two decades The most rapid improvements in carbon intensity are projected for the growing economies of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union Coal burning power plants remain a major energy source in the U S and abroad The former Soviet Union nations are expected to replace old and inefficient power plants burning oil and coal with natural gas fired plants that emit less carbon dioxide China and India are also expected to see fairly rapid improvements in carbon intensity, because their economies are expected to grow faster than their energy consumption Both China and India are expected to continue their heavy dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal However, coal is expected to account for a shrinking portion of energy use worldwide "In 1999, coal provided 22 percent of world primary energy consumption, down from 27 percent in 1985," and that number is expected to fall to 20 percent by 2020, the EIA reports Natural gas remains the fastest growing component of the world energy market, the EIA reports Gas use is projected to nearly double over the next two decades, reaching 162 trillion cubic feet in 2020 The natural gas share of total energy consumption is expected to increase from 23 percent in 1999 to 28 percent in 2020 Much of the projected growth in natural gas consumption is in response to the demands of efficient new natural gas fueled power plants Nuclear power capacity is expected to stabilize, with a boost coming from developing countries In developing Asian nations, nuclear capacity will more than double over the next two decades, from 22 gigawatts in 1999 to 54 gigawatts in 2020 Many U S nuclear power plants, including Calvert Cliffs in Maryland, are applying for and receiving licenses for decades of continued operation Nuclear capacity in the industrialized world will continue to decline, but at a slower rate than predicted earlier, the EIA reports "Extensions of operating licenses (or the equivalent) for nuclear power plants are expected to be requested and granted among the countries of the industrialized world," the report says "With more of the existing nuclear power plants expected to remain in operation, the projected decline in nuclear generation is slowed " The agency is forecasting a drop of just 19 gigawatts of nuclear capacity, from 279 gigawatts in 1999 to 260 gigawatts in 2020 Renewable energy use is projected to increase by 53 percent between 1999 and 2020, but its share of the total world energy market is expected to fall from nine percent to eight percent by 2020 Most of the growth in renewable energy is expected to be driven by new, large scale hydroelectric projects, particularly in China, India, Malaysia, and other developing Asian countries "In 2001, construction on mega-hydro projects like China's 18,200 megawatt Three Gorges Dam and Malaysia's 2,400 megawatt Bakun continued amidst criticism of their environmental impacts and concerns about the welfare of the people being relocated to accommodate the projects," the report notes Continued low prices for fossil fuels are expected to reduce interest in renewable power With the worldwide oil reserves measuring three times larger than global demand for oil, the report projects that oil prices will stabilize, with prices reaching $25 per barrel in 2000 dollars by 2020, as compared to $27 72 per barrel in 2000 and an estimated $22 05 per barrel in 2001 The transportation sector consumes much of the world's oil supplies Much of the oil demand will come from the transportation sector, where few alternatives are currently available, the EIA predicts Although slowing economies around the world reduced growth in this sector in recent years, "transportation energy use is expected to continue robust growth over the next two decades, especially in the developing world, where relatively immature transportation infrastructures are expected to grow rapidly as national and regional economies expand," the EIA reports Energy use for transportation is projected to increase by 3 8 percent per year in the developing world, compared with average annual increases of 1 7 percent for the industrialized countries "In urban centers of the developing world, car ownership is often seen as one of the first symbols of emerging prosperity," the EIA notes "Per capita motorization in much of the developing world is projected to more than double between 1999 and 2020, although population growth is expected to keep motorization levels low relative to those in the industrialized world " The full report is available at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html Source: ENS 3/28/2002
NRC Receives Report On Reactor Corrosion
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received a report from a nuclear industry association, the Nuclear Energy Institute, concluding that the corrosion problems at FirstEnergy Corp 's Davis Besse nuclear plant in Ohio have not been seen at similar plants The NRC is now conducting its own study to determine whether corrosion is widespread Source: Dow Jones, March 28, 2002 via UtiliCast NewsBriefs 3/25/2002
For more information on marketing and research go to: http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/emaa/index.html
Grant Writing and Program Funding 101
Innonet org provides a fantastic 'fill-in-the-form' tool for nonprofit program planning It is a blueprint for designing, evaluating and budgeting a successful program The plan is then available to use for the organization and for grant applications As stated every month, a good tactic to receive technology is to include hardware, software and training within a program plan and budget, instead of just focusing on technology funders See program tool at: http://innonet.org/workstation/about.htm Source: TechGrants March 2002
Ohio Creates Ethanol Plant Investment Incentives
Ohio Governor Bob Taft recently signed into law a bill providing state tax breaks to investors in Ohio ethanol plants Ohio residents will be eligible for up to $5,000 in tax credits over three years for $10,000 invested in farmer-owned ethanol plants Ohio Department of Agriculture director Fred Dailey noted the bill will help the state become less dependent on foreign oil, promote cleaner fuels, and boost Ohio corn prices He also pointed out that Ohio is the largest corn-producing state without an ethanol plant "I think it will be a big incentive," said Northwest Ethanol LLC president Bill Cleland, Jr Northwest Ethanol, which just began its equity drive, is one of several proposed ethanol plants in the state Source: RFA's Ethanol Report 3/22/2002
New Project to Coordinate the Installation of Ten Small Wind Turbines
As announced at the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference last month, NWSEED
is working with the NW Cooperative Development Center, members of the Last
Mile Electric Cooperative, Climate Solutions, the Renewable Northwest Project
and numerous other partnering organizations to launch a new project to coordinate
the installation of ten small wind turbines (1-10 kilowatts each) on farms
and ranches in the Northwest We are seeking to link private investors and
public utilities with host sites, particularly low-income residences and Tribal
agencies, to share in the costs of system installation We would like to demonstrate
a strong showing of interest as our contract negotiations proceed this month
with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Many project details
are still being worked out, but if you are interested in participating in
any level in the project, please fill out the attached form and return it
to the NWSEED office by next Friday, March 29 A printer-friendly (PDF) version
of the form is posted at: http://www.nwseed.org/nwswtc.asp
- feel free to contact us with questions or for further information Please
note that a "Hands-On Small Wind Turbine Installation" for utility
personnel and others interested in observing and assisting with wiring, raising
the tower, and connecting cabling for a 10 kW Bergey XL near Wenatchee is
planned for April 3-5 Please contact john@chinookwind.net
if you are interested in attending - space is limited to 20 members of the
"crew-in-training " For further information contact: Northwest SEED
- Sustainable Energy for Economic Development, 2724 S Elmwood Place, Seattle,
WA 98144, 206-328-2441 / eFax: 925-889-3911, http://www.nwseed.org
- check out our upcoming events listing Source: E-mail from NWSEED 3/22/2002
Tax-Exempt Bonds Available for Manufacturers
The California Power Authority (CPA) is inviting manufacturers to participate in its new energy financing program that provides an incentive to increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology The CPA has $30 million of tax-exempt industrial development bonds that will provide below-market rate loans to manufacturing companies producing or choosing to install clean energy solutions in California In February, the California Debt Limit Allocation Commission (CDLAC) awarded the CPA $30 million in tax-exempt bonding authorization to administer through the Energy Financing Industrial Development Bond Program The program enables private companies to apply for low-cost loans that could be used for increasing production size or purchasing and installing clean energy equipment Manufacturers can participate in either of two ways: 1) purchase and install renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency equipment, or clean distributed generation; and 2) use the financing to establish or expand the production of clean energy systems and components The CPA will implement the program and select eligible applicants, consistent with CDLAC procedures and other state and federal requirements "The CPA is enthusiastic about the opportunity this program offers for small manufacturers to install or produce clean energy technologies and be more competitive in the market," said Laura Doll, CEO of the California Power Authority "The low-cost loans are a great incentive for businesses to manufacture and keep their business in California " Application forms and eligibility requirements are posted on the CPA's Web site at http://www.capowerauthority.ca.gov Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly 3/29/2002
For more information on funding solicitations go to: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solicitations.html
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