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More than 9,000 local households have chosen to purchase PECO WIND, a clean, environmentally-friendly wind power option provided by PECO Energy and Community Energy, Inc., a wind energy marketing group.
Since May, PECO WIND has become one of the largest and fastest growing green power programs in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The environmental benefit is the same as planting about two million trees or not driving 25 million miles.
“With more than 9,000 customers in just six months, PECO WIND is among the fastest growing utility green power programs in the nation. We applaud PECO Energy and Community Energy for the successful launch of their PECO WIND program,” said Lori Bird of NREL, DOE’s principal research lab for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
PECO WIND, the first wind energy product offered by a utility in Pennsylvania, is available to PECO’s residential and business customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties. PECO WIND is supplied by a new wind power facility in Waymart, Penna., near the Poconos.
PECO WIND is offered to residential customers in 100-kilowatt hour blocks for an additional monthly fee of about $2.50 per block, added directly to customers' monthly PECO bill. PECO WIND is also available to business customers. Pennsylvania commercial customers are already supporting more than 100 megawatts of wind generation in the state-more than any other state east of the Mississippi. For more information about PECO WIND or to sign up, customers can call 1-866-WIND-321. Source: Paul Copleman, Community Energy, Inc., 11/24/2004.
Brascan Power New York recently announced that the Low Impact Hydropower Institute has awarded Low Impact Hydropower Facility certification to 16 of the company's hydropower facilities on the Hoosic and Raquette Rivers in New York.
According to Brascan, the hydropower projects had to meet LIHI's low impact criteria addressing river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed health, endangered species protection, cultural resources and recreation use and access.
Brascan Power vice president of New York operations David Youlen said, "We retain the distinction of being the only hydropower producer in New York State to receive this prestigious certification, and are well-positioned to help the state achieve the goal of 25 percent renewable energy supply within 10 years." Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/16/2004.
Niagara Mohawk recently announced that more than 10,000 customers have enlisted in GreenUp, the company's renewable energy program, since its launch in 2002.
According to the company, the GreenUp program allows customers to select a New York-based renewable energy provider, with Niagara Mohawk then receiving the energy on behalf of the customer. Contact: Deb Schultheis, Niagara Mohawk, phone 315-428-6388. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/18/2004.
Pembina Institute recently announced the launch of its "Wind Powered PCs" program, an initiative that aims to power 20,000 computers with wind energy and help move Canada towards a more sustainable energy future. According to Pembina, the new program allows customers to feed wind power into the grid, displacing the amount of conventional energy that would have been used to power their computers, homes and businesses.
Pembina executive director Marlo Raynolds said, "It's a solid bridge between the technology that makes wind power possible and the people who want to switch to a clean source of electricity. By participating in the Pembina Institute's Wind Power PCs program, Canadian firms and inpiduals help spread the word about the benefits of low-impact renewable energy and directly support its development." Contact: Marlo Raynold, Pembina, phone 403-269-3344. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/19/2004.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund recently announced a new program, known as Connecticut's Clean Energy Communities, that offers a free solar energy system to municipalities that commit to purchase clean energy representing 20 percent of their electricity use by 2010.
According to CCEF, the municipalities' residents and businesses must sign up directly for the clean energy choice option available early next year through Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating in order to be eligible for the program.
"Connecticut's Clean Energy Communities Program represents the beginning of a unique and exciting collaboration among SmartPower, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities," said SmartPower executive director Brian Keane. Contact: Charlie Moret, CCEF, phone 860-563-0015. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/16/2004.
The Renewable Fuels Association announced that the U.S. ethanol industry set an all-time monthly production record in September of 226,000 barrels per day, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Production was up 19 percent compared to last September when 190,000 b/d of ethanol were produced. The previous all-time monthly record of 225,000 b/d was set in August of this year.
The ethanol industry is expected to produce more than 3.35 billion gallons in 2004, up from 2.81 billion gallons in 2003. Currently, 82 ethanol plants nationwide have the capacity to produce nearly 3.5 billion gallons annually. There are 16 ethanol plants under construction with a combined annual capacity of over 750 million gallons. Source: RFA Release, 11/23/2004.
The largest wind turbine yet is now operating in northern Germany. Although designed for offshore wind plants, REpower Systems AS installed the 5-megawatt prototype on land for ease of testing. The hub of the massive turbine stands 120 meters off the ground, and the 120-ton rotor, featuring wind blades from LM Glasfiber A/S, has a diameter of 126 meters. REpower began building the "5M" wind turbine in April, completed it in October, and expects to connect it to the electrical grid before year's end.
Given the massive size of the newest generation of wind turbines, you might wonder if they can affect the circulation of wind on a large scale. Researchers from the University of Calgary and Carnegie Mellon University were wondering the same thing, and decided to plug the drag created by wind turbines into the global circulation programs that are used to model the Earth's climate. Their study (899kb pdf) found that wind power at very large scales—two terawatts, or about 125 percent of today's global electrical capacity—can produce "non-negligible climatic change," causing slight heating and cooling in specific parts of the globe. The authors concluded: "Although large-scale effects are observed, wind power has a negligible effect on global mean surface temperature, and it would deliver enormous global benefits by reducing emissions of (carbon dioxide) and air pollutants. Our results may enable a comparison between the climate impacts due to (large-scale) wind power and the reduction in climatic impacts achieved by the substitution of wind for fossil fuels." Source: EERE Network News—11/17/04
EPCOR will expand Canada's wind power capacity with a new wind farm built near the shore of Lake Huron, following the company's success in the Government of Ontario's competition for new sources of renewable power. EPCOR Power Development Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc, participated in Ontario's Renewable Energy Supply RFP process and has successfully entered into an agreement for the purchase of power from a 39.6 megawatt wind-farm to be built near the community of Goderich. Construction of the project will begin in early 2005, pending final regulatory approvals.
"The Ontario government's RFP process demonstrates that government and the private sector can work together to respond to Canadians' strong interest in developing additional renewable energy," said EPCOR President & CEO Don Lowry. "
EPCOR's Kingsbridge Wind Power Project will be situated within the Township of Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh. Township Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek noted that there was considerable support for the project in the local community: "The Kingsbridge Wind Power Project will offer both economic development for the local area and a new source of clean electricity for the entire province."
EPCOR is one of Canada's leaders in developing both conventional and renewable sources of power. The company builds, owns and operates facilities powered by small hydro, wind, solar and landfill gas. EPCOR Utilities Inc. is one of Canada's top providers of energy and energy-related services and products. With over $4 billion in assets, EPCOR is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. Source: Nov 25, 2004 - Canada Newswire via Power Marketers.com, 11/29/2004.
WorldWater & Power Corporation recently announced it has finalized a contract to install a 57-horsepower, solar-powered pumping system at the Idyllwild Water District in Idyllwild, CA. WorldWater noted that it will handle all aspects of installation of the $309,000 system, with half of the cost to be reimbursed to the Idyllwild Water District by Southern California Edison under the California rebate plan, which encourages use of solar and other renewable energy sources in the state.
"We are very pleased to be partnering with WorldWater on this project," said Idyllwild Water District general manager Terry Lyons. "In addition to providing electrical power to overcome power brown-outs, WorldWater's solar technology will enable Idyllwild to be the first water district to use solar power to operate its major wells and booster pumps, while providing additional cost savings and environmental benefits to our mountain community." WorldWater said work on the Idyllwild project will begin immediately following successful conclusion of an environmental study. Contact: Debra Grady, WorldWater, phone 609-818-0700 ext 14. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/23/2004.
The tides are turning in favor of hydropower production. While controversial, the worldwide efforts are making waves right here in the United States. Read the full story online. Source: UtiliPoint, 11/18/2004 via PowerMarketers.com, 11/19/2004.
Daryl Stockburger can't guarantee the blades on all four wind turbines at the Wood County landfill will be turning Friday, but he still wants people to stop out to see the latest additions to the wind farm.
Two new white giants will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Friday at the wind farm at U.S. 6 and Tontogany Road, about six miles west of Bowling Green. The new turbine closest to U.S. 6 was put into service yesterday. Tests are still being conducted on the fourth turbine, which is just north of the other three. When all four turbines are online, they are expected to generate 7.2 megawatts of electricity—enough to power at least 1,560 homes.
"The four units will produce enough electricity to be equivalent to 3 percent of the annual energy requirements for the entire city of Bowling Green," Mr. Stockburger, Bowling Green's utilities director said. "At certain times, they will be producing in excess of 10 percent—when it's a windy day and not necessarily the peak, like some windy night in December." The original pair of turbines outperformed expectations since they went online last November, but officials are waiting to see if that was just a fluke.
"We've only got a year's worth of data. It could be an anomaly. It could be high, it could be low, or it could be right on," said Kent Carson, spokesman for American Municipal Power-Ohio, a municipal utility co-op that collaborated with Texas-based Green Mountain Energy, the city of Bowling Green, and other member municipal utilities on the wind farm.
While only Bowling Green and the city of Cuyahoga Falls near Akron were involved with the first two turbines, eight other communities signed on when plans were made to invest $4 million in two additional turbines. All are looking to persify their sources of power. "Due to the success of the wind farm in terms of the output it became clear we could go ahead and expand, and we had other communities who wanted to be involved," Mr. Carson said.
In northwest Ohio, Edgerton, Elmore, Monroeville, Montpelier, Napoleon, and Pioneer are members of the joint venture that now owns the wind farm. The northeastern Ohio cities of Oberlin and Wadsworth also are involved. While there is a movement to invest in more renewable energy sources like wind and solar power across the country, those involved with Ohio's first commercial wind farm said there are no immediate plans to erect more turbines.
Mr. Stockburger said any such endeavor would require at least a year of wind tests and other studies. Interested communities also are keeping an eye on the performance of the Bowling Green turbines, whose blades reach a height of nearly 400 feet.
There is no more land available at the county landfill to erect more turbines, but Mr. Carson said one more addition is planned for the site. AMP-Ohio is working with a technology class at Bowling Green State University to develop an information kiosk that would give visitors to the wind farm information about the turbines.
Officials hope it will include a touch-screen system that would allow users to access information about how much power the turbines are generating and how fast the blades are turning at any given time. The kiosk could be solar-powered or powered by the turbines themselves. "Students from elementary age to college could look at that and find it interesting and extrapolate some information from that," Mr. Carson said. "... We're trying to be high-tech because the wind turbines are high-tech." Source: The Blade, 11/17/2004 via Energy Central Daily, 11/19/2004.
Vestas group recently announced it has received an order for 36 units of V82-1.65-megawatt wind turbines from RES America Construction, Inc. for a new 60-MW wind power plant near Ainsworth, Nebraska scheduled for completion next year. According to the company, Vestas will supply and commission the wind turbines for the new power plant, which will be owned by Nebraska Public Power District.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S president and CEO Svend Sigaard said, "Public power projects such as this are not PTC dependent and demonstrate wind power's competitiveness in a market having volatile natural gas prices, while also helping utilities meet consumer demand for green energy." Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/23/2004.
Cathedral City has become the first city in the Coachella Valley to capitalize on a resource that has been available to all the valley cities since, well, eons before they existed as municipalities. On Oct. 11, city officials and representatives of Honeywell announced plans to harness the power of the sun to generate electricity at the Civic Center.
Honeywell will install 1,600 photovoltaic solar panels on the upper level of the Civic Center parking garage, running the length of the deck in two rows and creating a canopy for cars. Generating about 250 kilowatts of power, the canopy is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 514 tons a year the equivalent of removing 103 automobiles from the road.
In addition to photovoltaic panels, Honeywell will install energy- efficient lighting and controls throughout city buildings, including fire stations and public works buildings, and convert traffic signals from incandescent lights to LEDs, which use less energy and have a longer life.
The $2.7 million project is funded in part by a $1 million renewable energy rebate from the state of California. The remaining $1.7 million comes from the city's general fund, but will be offset by an estimated 33 percent reduction in the city's annual operating costs.
Bradd Schneider, vice president of global sales for Honeywell Building Solutions, called the partnership with Cathedral City progressive. "One of the opportunities we saw here a year ago was performance contracting," he said. Honeywell guarantees the installation cost will be recouped by associated energy savings over nine years. When completed, the project is expected to cut the city's electrical energy consumption by 26 percent.
Under the contract, Cathedral City can't lose. Honeywell will annualize the savings and if it falls short will rebate the difference to the city. If the savings exceed 26 percent, Cathedral City is ahead even more than expected. In billions of dollars of projects with guaranteed savings, Honey has only had to pay around 2 percent in shortfalls.
Honeywell is finalizing designs and ordering equipment for the photovoltaic canopy. Fabrication will be done offsite. Installation will begin in January or February and should be completed by the beginning of summer. Work on traffic signals and upgrades should begin in the next few weeks and be completed by the end of the year. Honeywell and the city also are discussing a "Phase II" project for waste-to-energy, onsite power generation. Source: Desert Publication, Inc. and Sharon Apfelbaum Oct 19, 2004 via Energy Central, 11/22/2004.
Experts believe power from subterranean hot water deposits around the state could play a major role in meeting the electricity demands Idaho's future growth will place on its hydropower system. "It will be interesting to see what happens in Idaho in the next few years," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association trade organization based in Washington, D.C.
"The hydropower has been great for the state, but in recent years it's caused a lot of problems," Gawell said. "Idaho has found a need to develop a more persified electricity base." Idaho Power Co., the state's largest utility, has included 100 megawatts of geothermal power in its long-range energy management plan, recognizing what spokesman Russ Jones said will be persistent growth on a system limited in its capacity by water resources. That resource has been hit hard by five straight years of drought.
A company in southern Idaho believes it is ready to make sure Idaho Power gets that geothermal electricity. Idatherm, based in Oakley, is looking for financing for its plan to harness deposits of 480-degree water in southern Bonneville and northern Bingham counties.
Carl Austin, the company's exploration manager, said six or more wells in the area would produce 100 megawatts, enough electricity to power the homes in the city of Idaho Falls and more. The resource has gone undeveloped since a company drilling for oil in the area 30 years ago discovered the geothermal deposit. Source: The Associated Press, 11/16/2004.
Most Americans may not think about using solar energy to meet their hot water needs, but a number of innovative companies and utilities are working to change that. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, for instance, the Solar Mining Company installs solar hot water systems at commercial, industrial, and non-profit facilities for free, and then bills the customer for the hot water at rates lower than competing fossil-fueled options. The company, which received startup funding from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy, will also build and install customer-owned systems.
Florida's Lakeland Electric went a step further: it recently sold renewable energy credits from its solar hot water systems. Lakeland Electric sold 50 megawatt-hours of solar heating credits for $2000 in September, using Sterling Planet as a broker. After paying commission fees, the utility earned 3.2 cents per kilowatt-hour on the deal, which marks the first time that solar thermal credits have been traded. The funds will help support solar water heating in Lakeland, located about 25 miles east of Tampa.
The South Carolina Energy Office is also promoting solar hot water systems. The office's new Public Building Solar Initiative is offering grants to cover three-quarters of the cost of installing solar hot water systems on public buildings throughout the state. The SCEO expects to award at least $80,000 to eligible projects. Applications are due on Dec. 10. Source: EERE Network News, 11/24/2004.
With companies like GE Energy reporting $1.3 billion in orders for wind turbines, some may assume that all the benefits from wind projects go toward large corporations, but that's far from the case. In fact, the current flurry of wind power projects is yielding job and economic benefits across the country.
Nevada is the latest to gain from the current wind rush, as Energy Nevada, LLC has announced an agreement with Sweden's Nordic Windpower to establish Nordic's U.S. manufacturing activity in the northern part of the state. The agreement provides for Nordic Windpower to start manufacturing wind turbines in Nevada as soon as a wind developer commits to building a Nevada wind energy project of sufficient size. From the Nevada plant, Nordic and Energy Nevada plan to ship wind turbines throughout North America.
A fabrication
plant in Provo, Utah, is already benefiting from the wind rush, having
just earned a contract to build 150 tubular steel towers for wind turbines
to be installed in the West. The 14-month project will require more than 18,000
tons of steel. The plant is owned by CB&I, a leading engineering, procurement,
and construction company.
Wind power's fabrication needs have also yielded benefits for Wisconsin, as
a new company called Global Energy Systems has been established in Stevens
Point. The new plant will fabricate wind turbine components such as towers,
flanges, gearboxes, bedplates, and hubs, and will employ about 100 people,
including 75 skilled laborers. The company was started with the help of a
Wisconsin
Focus on Energy grant.
Last but not least, Vermont's Northern Power Systems is expanding its manufacturing facilities, having leased a 35,000-square-foot plant in Barre. The company plans to hire at least 35 new employees, including technicians, drafters, and engineers. The facility will first be used to build NorthWind 100 wind turbines for shipment to Alaska, and will also serve to fabricate industrial power systems. Source: EERE Network News, 11/24/04.
Daniel Kunz, President and CEO, is pleased to announce the completion of the well test program at the Company’s Raft River geothermal site. The program has concluded that four of the existing production wells have an initial capacity of 13.8 MW, net of pump parasitic load, which would support at least a 10 MW net electrical power output. The fifth production well was found to be non-commercial at this time, but will be studied for re-drilling of a new directional leg toward a more productive flow zone.
GeothermEx Inc. of Richmond, California, an independent, world recognized geothermal consulting firm, analyzed and interpreted the flow test data and integrated it with existing data to forecast the net electrical power production capabilities of the wells. In addition to the power generation forecast, the GeothermEx report states the following:
The well test program has confirmed the commercial viability of the geothermal resource at Raft River and will be used in the final design of the project’s phase one 10 MW net power plant. The company plans to commercialize the existing wellfield as phase one of a staged expansion of the Raft River geothermal field. A long-term power purchase agreement with Idaho Power Company is pending approval before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for the power output from the plant.
US Geothermal is a renewable energy development company focused on geothermal energy in the Pacific Northwest. US Geothermal’s first project is the Raft River Geothermal Power Plant. Once completed, this plant is expected to be the first geothermal power plant in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Raft River is scheduled to begin production of electric power in 2006, bringing customers the benefit of a clean, green, renewable energy source. The company currently owns or leases 5.8 square miles (15 square kilometers) of land or geothermal rights, which contain a proven energy reservoir that GeothermEx estimates could yield 90 MW of electric power. It is believed that the entire known geothermal resource area, of which Raft River is part, could host an energy generation potential in excess of 200 MW of electric power. Source: US Geothermal News, 11/09/2004.
A Seattle building materials maker, a New York neighborhood and a Kansas City design firm are winners of this year's Sustainable Leadership Awards, presented by CoreNet Global at their Global Summit meeting in San Antonio in conjunction with International Interior Design Association and the American Institute of Architects. Source: E-Wire Digest November 22, 2004.
As of Nov. 1 and the subsequent first Monday of every month, for the next five-months, small and medium sized public power utilities can participate in a free web cast to learn how to expand the role of renewable resources in there energy supply portfolio. The December 6th web cast will focus on "Encouraging Public Participation and Meaningful Governance." Guest speakers include Barbara Farhar, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Laverne Kyriss, Western Area Power Administration; and Will Guild, Public Decision Partnership. The web cast is sponsored by American Public Power Association Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments Program, Western Area Power Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy GeoPowering the West Program and the U.S. DOE Wind Powering America Program. The web cast series is based on a new resource produced by the APPA DEED Program entitled: A Guidebook to Expand the Role of Renewables in an Energy Supply Portfolio.
The Guidebook draws on strategies other utilities have used to increase their percentage of renewable energy and provides a step-by-step process for considering renewable resources, especially wind and geothermal, in smaller public power system resource portfolios. To register for web cast series beginning November 1, contact Debbie Rock, Western Area Power Administration, at 720-962-7271. Attendance will be limited to the first 40 people for each web cast. Additional web casts will be provided on a demand basis. Representatives from public power utilities will have priority over non-utility participants if more than 40 people register for any single web cast.
The Northern California Public Power Agency and the Southern California Public Power Authority are hosting two green power workshops in California for public power utilities and other interested parties. These workshops are designed to provide utilities and renewable energy providers with a better understanding of renewable energy options and markets, and the design of meaningful green power programs. Co-organizers include the Western Area Power Administration, the Utility Energy Forum, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. DOE Wind Powering America Program, the U.S. DOE GeoPowering the West Program, and the Public Renewables Partnership. the next workshop will be hosted by Riverside Public Utilities at their offices in Riverside, Calif., Dec. 2, 2004. For more information and registration details, contact Guy Nelson at 541-994-4670.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Going Solar and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs newsletter can be accessed online. Source: IREC, 11/19/2004.
The United States Government Accountability Office recently published a report (pdf) to the ranking Democratic Member, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, U.S. Senate, entitled: Wind Power’s Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities.
Seven school districts in south central North Dakota are considering wind energy to save money on utility costs. The school districts of Ashley, Ellendale, Kulm, Napoleon, Strasburg, Wishek and Zeeland contracted with EAPC Architects and Engineers in Grand Forks to study the feasibility of a wind turbine to provide a majority of the electricity they use.
They will need help from the Legislature to get the project off the ground. Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, said he is willing to lobby for it. The estimated savings to the school districts is $114,470 per year, with a payback period of approximately eight years.
The project would be paid by selling bonds, which could be paid with the savings, Ellendale Superintendent Jeff Fastnacht said. If the Legislature approves, he said, his school could consider converting its two oil-burning boilers to electric boilers.
The Ellendale School District pays about $2,500 a month for utilities, and it would have to pay for its portion of the turbine. With an eight- to 10-year payback period, more money will be available later for other projects, Fastnacht said.
One of the legislative issues involves selling excess electricity back to the utility companies, Brandenburg said. Power companies normally buy excess electricity in similar cases at an "avoided rate" of 1.5 cents per kilowatt hour, he said. Legislators could consider a purchase price of at least the wholesale rate of about 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour, he said.
In Kulm, the school district spends about $18,000 a year on electricity and its cost went up 5 percent last year, Superintendent Dan Bauer said. A wind tower could provide a learning opportunity for students, especially if a Web cam can be set up at the site, he said. "Schools need to cooperate, and this (wind turbine) is an ideal issue," Bauer said. Source: Nov 26 - Bismarck Tribune via Energy Central, 11/29/2004.
The NWCC Update-Nov. 15 includes:
For more information contact Rachel Permut, NWCC Outreach Associate, National Wind Coordinating Committee, c/o RESOLVE, 1255 23rd St Suite 275, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 965-6383.
The U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Administration has recently released its Energy Education Resources publication targeting kindergarten through 12th grade.
The U.S. DOE Wind Powering America Program, the Arizona Wind Working Group and the DOE Wind and Hydropower Technologies program, are hosting an inaugural Arizona state-wide wind workshop to facilitate discussions on wind-critical issues with wind developers and equipment manufacturers, Tribal, state and local energy, environmental, economic development officials, utilities, regulators, and state-based wind stakeholders. Over 200 attendees are expected. For more information, please contact P.J. Dougherty, National Coordinator, Wind Powering America Program (202) 586-7950.
The Renewable Energy Finance & Investment Network Directory was designed by the American Council on Renewable Energy to assist project developers and entrepreneurs seeking capital as well as investors looking for financing vehicles, the Renewable Energy Finance Network Directory contains information on sources of finance for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. For each funding source, information includes program terms, sectors served, and contact information. The Directory includes project debt, project equity, mezzanine financing, venture capital, and others. In addition, the matrix includes federal agencies, state and local agencies, and foundations. The 2004 draft version can be downloaded. SEPA members will be notified when the final 2004 version is released later this year. Source: Peggy Plate via Julia Judd, SEPA, 11/18/2004.
By all accounts, the future of wind power has never looked brighter. The industry has received a tremendous stimulus from the widening array of state mandated renewable portfolio standards. What's more, the rising price of natural gas is making the economics of wind power increasingly competitive. Now, with the recent extension of the production tax credit, a new flood of deals and money is set to flow-to the tune of $3 billion in wind energy investments forecast over the next several years.
This new financial stream, however, will not be flowing through the same wind power finance markets of the past. Project developers have become increasingly sophisticated. A new breed of tax-based investors is set to enter the market, and a growing group of lenders are now trying to make their mark in the renewable energy sector. How will all these trends interact and how will they influence how deals get financed?
The 4th Wind Power Finance & Investment, February 8-10, 2005, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort, will bring together leading project developers, investors, lenders, attorneys, and others in the wind power finance and investment community to share their perspectives on what it takes to get deals successfully financed in 2005 and beyond.
You'll hear:
Major developers, independent developers, and foreign developers share their perspectives on the current market for wind power financing, including the role for investors in their deals Investors talk about the criteria they use in evaluating wind power investments Lenders review the most up-to-date information on the current sources, terms, and structures for debt financing Off-takers provide their viewpoints of the market for wind power and the types of deals they would like to see in the market Panels of players and experts discussing the latest trends in deal structures and risk allocation. For any additional information contact: Hiedy Vitug, Phone: (818) 888-4445 ext. 20. Source: Energy Central, 11/29/2004.
The Government of Canada's RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia. The software, provided free-of-charge, can be used world-wide to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emission reductions for various types of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies.
In addition to the software, the tool includes product, cost and international weather databases; an online manual; a case study based college/university-level training course and electronic textbook; and an Internet-based Marketplace. The RETScreen software now has more than 49,200 users in 202 countries and is growing at more than 200 new users every week. Source: RETScreen International, 11/24/2004.
People from Montana and the Pacific Northwest can make energy a profitable new crop by learning about using renewable sources like wind, biofuels and solar at a conference January 20-21, 2005, in Great Falls, Mont., at the Heritage Inn. Harvesting Clean Energy is a regional event bringing the agriculture and energy industries together to share how to make and profit from clean energy sources.
Registration for farmers, ranchers and other private inpiduals is $50 before January 9 and $95 for professionals and organizations. Registration fees increase after the Jan. 9 deadline. Register online or call (360) 943-4241. Source: Brensdal, Georgia, 10/28/2004.
Seeking to bolster its credentials on global warming, the United States signed an agreement Tuesday with 13 other nations that calls for investing up to $53 million in companies that will profitably control emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas. Emissions of methane, mainly from landfills, are ranked second behind carbon dioxide emissions among industrial gases scientists blame for warming the earth’s climate.
“Today we’re planting a seed,” Mike Leavitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, told representatives of the countries at a ceremony co-sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute and the National Mining Association. “Together we will reap an environmental and economic harvest.” Source: Associated Press, 11/22/2004.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission today issued an order defining the parameters of contracts between Idaho Power and developers of small-power wind and geothermal projects. Two operators of wind power projects and another operator of a geothermal project in Cassia County filed complaints with the commission earlier this year alleging Idaho Power is requiring contract terms that are contrary to federal PURPA provisions.
The energy crisis of the late 1970s prompted Congress to pass the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, or PURPA. Its purpose is to encourage the promotion and development of renewable energy technologies as alternatives to burning fossil fuels or the construction of new power plants. PURPA requires large electric utilities like Idaho Power to buy electricity generated by small-power producers who obtain Qualifying Facility status. The rate utilities must pay qualifying facilities is set by the state commission. The rate, sometimes called avoided-cost rate, is to be equal to the cost the electric utility avoids if it would have had to generate the power itself or purchase it from another source.
A complaint was filed last March by U.S. Geothermal, which owns the 15-megawatt Raft River Geothermal Power Plant being built in Cassia County. A separate complaint was filed by Bob Lewandowski, operator of a wind project east of Boise, and Mark Schroeder, who is developing a wind project in the Hagerman-Bliss area. The complaints were consolidated by the commission into one case.
Over recent months, the commission has started to receive more applications from wind and geothermal projects seeking to qualify for PURPA rates. These types of projects pose new challenges for the commission, regulated utilities and small-power producers. A major question regarding wind projects in particular is the reliability of their output and if the commission should treat such projects as "firm" sources of power. Firm power sources are more valuable than non-firm, less predictable sources of power. Up until recently, most all PURPA projects in Idaho have been small hydro facilities or co-generation projects at potato processing plants or lumber mills where electricity is produced as a byproduct of the manufacturing process.
Essentially, the small-power producers objected to Idaho Power's contract provisions in three major areas.
Idaho Power proposed to pay other than the commission-set posted rates when the output from the complainants' projects is less than 90 percent or more than 110 percent of projected output. Idaho Power claimed that when output is less than 90 percent it must find power from other sources that can be more expensive. When output is more than 110 percent, Idaho Power said it might have to sell the energy in the surplus market or reduce output at a more economic generation plant.
Idaho Power had proposed allowing developers to revise their output estimates three times during the first year of operation and then once every two years thereafter. The commission ordered that QFs initially provide Idaho Power with one year of monthly generation estimates followed by estimates every three months.
The complainants objected to Idaho Power's metered energy test as a method
of determining whether a project qualifies under the 10 MW limit the commission
places on the size of small-power projects to qualify for PURPA rates. Under
commission rules, rates for projects larger than 10 MW are determined on
a project-specific basis. Idaho Power said the 10 MW capacity is exceeded
if a QF meter reads greater than 10,000 kWh per hour.
The majority on the commission ruled that the 10 MW capacity limit should
remain, but that Idaho Power's proposed metered energy test is "operationally
too restrictive." Instead, the commission ordered that QF generation
be measured on a monthly basis, rather than hourly. To qualify for PURPA
rates, a QF must demonstrate that, under normal or average design conditions,
the project will generate at no more than 10 average megawatts in any given
month. The commission also capped the maximum monthly generation qualifying
for payment.
The developers objected to an Idaho Power provision that allowed it to terminate its QF contracts if Idaho allowed deregulation at the retail level and other parties were able to sell electricity in Idaho Power's service territory. Under that scenario, Idaho Power argued, it would be unable to fully recover its PURPA contract costs. The commission unanimously agreed to not allow Idaho Power to terminate contracts if deregulation occurs. "We will not permit Idaho Power to terminate QF contracts for reasons other than the default of the QF," the commission said.
Documents related to this case can be accessed on the commission's Web site. Click on "File Room," then "Electric Cases," and scroll down to Case No. IPC-E-04-8. Interested parties may petition the commission for reconsideration by no later than Dec. 20. Petitions for reconsideration must set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that the order is unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions should include a statement of the nature and quantity of evidence the petitioner will offer if reconsideration is granted. Petitions can be delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise, mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762. Source: Dayna Ball, IDWR, 11/23/2004.
The largest wind farm in Kansas has completed three years of successful power production for Aquila, Inc. electric customers in Kansas and Missouri. Since power production began at the Gray County Wind Energy Center on the southwest Kansas plains in November 2001, the facility has effectively replaced the equivalent of 606,000 tons of coal, or more than 12 billion cubic feet of natural gas that would have been used for electric generation, according to Keith Stamm, Aquila senior vice president and chief operating officer.
In addition, the wind farm has offset generation emissions totaling about one million tons of carbon dioxide, 2,650 tons of sulfur dioxide, 2,170 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 42 pounds of mercury.
The wind farm has generated more than one million megawatt-hours of electricity since production began three years ago. Aquila purchases all power produced by the wind farm, which is owned and operated by FPL Energy.
FPL Energy constructed the 170-turbine wind farm on 12,000 acres of land about three miles east of Montezuma. The turbines have a combined generating capacity of 112 megawatts, enough to power 33,000 homes.
Aquila's 69,000 electric customers in Kansas and 285,000 in Missouri receive 100 megawatts of wind power, with the remaining 10 megawatts sold on the wholesale electric market. The wind farm provides 5.5 percent of total power consumed by Aquila customers in Kansas and 2.8 percent for Missouri customers. The company was the first to provide wind-generated power to residential customers in the two states.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila operates electricity and natural gas utilities in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The company also owns and operates power generation assets. At September 30, 2004, Aquila had total assets of $5.3 billion. Source: Business Wire, 11/22/2004 via Energy Central, 11/23/2004.
The CPVU working group is designed to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among California Utilities and Government Energy Agencies (eg. California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission) involved in the development and implementation of photovoltaic programs. The CPVU meetings are facilitated by Tor Allen of the Rahus Institute/California Solar Center, a non-profit organization. The first meeting was held in January 2003 in San Francisco, a second in November 2003 in Anaheim. Source: Tor Allen, Rahus Institute, 11/22/2004.
The Renewable Fuels Association congratulated Illinois River Energy, LLC for beginning construction on its ethanol plant near Rochelle, Illinois. The plant will process over 18 million bushels of corn into 50 million gallons of ethanol and 150,000 tons of distillers grains annually. The plant will also capture and sell CO2 from the fermentation process.
“The RFA congratulates Illinois River Energy for beginning construction on their ethanol plant,” stated RFA President Bob Dinneen. “This ethanol plant will add value to all the corn surrounding the plant and boost farm income. Ethanol is increasingly powering economic development throughout rural America.”
Fagen, Inc., the Granite Falls, Minnesota design-build contractor, is the general contractor and will incorporate a process design provided by ICM, Inc. of Colwich, Kansas. Currently, 82 ethanol plants nationwide have the capacity to produce nearly 3.5 billion gallons annually. There are 16 ethanol plants under construction with a combined annual capacity of over 750 million gallons. Source: RFA Release, 11/18/2004.
Because Western is committed to helping Native American tribes develop and manage their community resources, it began delivering hydropower benefits to 56 new tribes as it implemented the Energy Planning and Management Program's Power Marketing Initiative.
On Oct. 1, 52 tribes in the Colorado River Storage Project Management Center's marketing territory and four tribes in the Rocky Mountain Region became eligible to receive the benefits of Federal power from Western. Add to that the four tribes in the Sierra Nevada Region that will start receiving allocations in January, and that brings the total number of tribes Western serves to 91.
When developing marketing plans, we allocate a percentage of the hydropower resource to new customers as existing contracts expire. To qualify for allocations, potential new customers must be a preference entity, as defined in Reclamation law, and be within a currently established project marketing area.
Utility status has also been required for most entities in the past. But because we sought to allocate hydropower benefits directly to tribal consumers, Western's Energy Planning and Management Program waived the utility status requirement for tribes applying for Western power.
This approach promotes the Department of Energy American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Government policy. The principles outlined in the policy—derived from Federal law, treaties and Western's responsibility as a Federal agency to consider tribal rights and interests in decision making—outlines our interaction with Federally recognized American Indian tribes and promotes Western's partnerships and working relationships among the Federally-recognized tribes within Western's service territory.
These tribes will also benefit from the assistance that Western and DOE can provide regarding renewable energy development and energy efficiency programs. For example, the Fort Mojave Tribe, Jemez and Taos pueblos, White Mountain Apache Tribe and Yavapai Apache Nation conducted studies through the Department of Energy's Tribal Energy Program. The program funded solar installations for the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Laguna Pueblo.
Such flexible arrangements demonstrate Western's commitment to tribal self-sufficiency and self-determination. Western demonstrates its commitment through frequent and meaningful consultations, which helps nurture existing and emerging relationships with tribal governments. From meetings and one-on-one contact to mailings and telephone calls, Western is committed to actively involving the tribes in the planning process.
"Because we could be a significant power supplier for some of these tribes, they see the potential to save a lot of money. If we could help them control their energy costs, that could help them control their futures," said Lyle Johnson, a public utilities specialist in Salt Lake City. Source: Western's Closed Circuit, Carolyn Hinkley, 11/26/2004.
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, "a coalition of progressive governments, businesses and organizations committed to accelerating the development of renewable and energy efficiency systems," recently announced the availability of 1 million euros (about $1.3 million) in funding for renewable and efficiency projects for the period from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006.
According to REEEP, projects that are funded under the partnership should focus on at least one of two major themes—finance and policy and regulation. Additionally, REEEP said projects should deliver at least one of the following products—tool kits for various stakeholders; networks of inpiduals/organizations related to the project, including databases; training tools; and best practice demonstrations.
REEEP also said it is "crucial" that projects seeking acceptance in this project bidding round meet the partnership's "quality criteria"— maximum global impact, innovation, added renewable and energy efficiency systems outcomes, and impact on millennium development goals.
REEEP said bids for projects should be addressed to the relevant regional secretariat or focal point as listed on its Website. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/19/2004.
The California Energy Commission has released a Notice of Awards for 2004 PIER-EA Environmental Exploratory Grant Program, which was approved by the Commission on 11/17/04. Source: CEC Release, 11/18/2004.
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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