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The World Bank will purchase renewable energy for all of its electricity usage at its Washington, D.C. office from WindCurrent, a Maryland-based company that sells wind power to the mid-Atlantic power grid.
This purchase will represent enough electricity to power almost 8,000 average homes for a year, and is equivalent to eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions of more than 10,000 cars for a year or planting roughly 15,000 acres of trees, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency figures. Produced using conventional electricity sources, including coal and gas, this would have generated an estimated almost 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
The bank will purchase 85,000,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy certificates which are allocated for each unit of power from a renewable energy power plant (such as a wind farm).
As a result of this investment, wind power from the mid-Atlantic region and the Midwest will be supplied to the power grid, replacing electricity generated from less environmentally friendly sources. Electricity from a wind turbine acts the same as electricity generated from any other source. Once the energy leaves the generator and goes into the grid (the "power pool"), it is all mixed together.
This commitment to renewable energy is part of an overall “Greening Program” by the bank’s General Services Department to focus on sustainable development within the organization. The Greening Program was established to manage the environmental and social impacts of the bank’s Washington, D.C., facilities which promote waste management, environmentally and socially responsible procurement practices and energy conservation.
“With its investment in renewable energy certificates, the World Bank is demonstrating environmental leadership in the development of new renewable energy sources,” said Kurt Johnson of the U.S. EPA. “The World Bank now qualifies for the Green Power Leadership Club, and joins the top ranks of the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program that supports and recognizes outstanding green power purchasers. Their commitment to renewable energy makes them the fourth largest purchaser in our program,” he said. Source: GreenBiz.com, 1/10/2005.
Five members of the Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission
Cooperative, Fergus Electric, Yellowstone Valley, Bear Tooth Electric, Mid
Yellowstone, and Tongue River Care, offering their approximately 60,000 customers
a green power option at a price premium of 1.054/kWh. Under the program, most
of the co-ops offer the power in 100-kWh blocks, however, at least one co-op
allows its customers to purchase green power for all their electricity usage.
The programs are supplied by Southern Montana with purchases of the Bonneville
Power Administration’s Environmentally Preferred Power product, which
is a blend of new and existing wind and low-impact hydro.
Park Electric Offers Green Power. Park Electric Cooperative, a distribution
co-op serving nearly 3,500 customers in southwestern Montana, is offering
a renewable energy option under which its customers can purchase renewable
energy for all of their electricity needs at a premium of 1.24/kWh above standard
rates. The program is supplied by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
with green tags derived from wind (>98 percent), solar (<1 percent),
and biomass (<1 percent) energy projects located in the Pacific Northwest.
Participating customers are required to enroll for a minimum of one year.
Source: NREL Green Power Marketing Update—December/November 2004
Community Energy, Inc. recently announced, in conjunction with the City of Naperville, IL, the launch of the voluntary city of Naperville Renewable Energy Option program, which enables municipality residents to purchase power from renewable sources.
According to CEI, the new program allows customers to participate at various levels of support, with a minimum participation level of $5 per month for 200 kilowatt-hours. CEI said the renewable energy sources comprise 90 percent wind power, five percent small-hydro and five percent solar. Contact: Amy McGinty, CEI, phone 484-744-1782; Gary Karafiat, City of Naperville, phone 630-420-6034. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/05/2005.
Less than 18 months after unveiling its PaloAltoGreen renewable energy program, the City of Palo Alto Utilities announced that it has reached its goal of enrolling 10 percent of its customers in the program, making it the second utility green pricing program to achieve a double digit customer participation rate. Currently, about 2,780 residential and business customers participate in the program through which customers can purchase green energy from wind and solar energy resources at an extra cost of 1.54/kWh above standard rates.
CPAU also recently announced that Roche, a Swiss based healthcare group that employs about 1,000 people within the city, has committed to purchase 1.8 million kWh of renewable energy annually through the PaloAltoGreen program, or enough to meet 5 percent of the power required for its Palo Alto facilities. Source: NREL Green Power Marketing Update—December/November 2004
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency is walking its green talk by buying renewable energy certificates for its Denver and Golden facilities totaling nearly seven million kilowatt-hours per year over the next three years.
The purchase, coordinated by EPA’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C, totals 4.7 million kilowatt-hours per year for its Denver Regional office, and 2.1 million kilowatt-hours per year for its Regional Laboratory in Golden, Colo. - a total of 6.8 million kilowatt-hours annually for the next three years. Region 8 was one of the first federal facilities to join the Public Service [now Excel Energy] WindSource program. In October, 2000, EPA contracted with Public Service to purchase 100 percent wind energy for the electricity used at the Regional Lab. "A guiding principle for EPA's activities is the use of environmental management systems which have a strong focus on energy conservation and use of renewable energy sources," said EPA Region 8 Administrator Robbie Roberts. "The purchase of renewable energy for 100 percent of our electricity needs shows our commitment to our EMS and to environmental improvement. EPA advocates use of renewable energy and now we are walking the talk." The 6.8 million kilowatt hours that Region 8 will purchase annually is roughly equivalent to the annual output of one-and-a-half utility-scale wind turbines -- enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 944 average homes in Colorado. Or, to put it another way, use of the equivalent amount of energy from coal would require burning 3,400 tons of coal and emitting 7,820 tons of carbon dioxide each year, along with these other estimated air pollutants:
- 13.6 tons [27,200 pounds] of sulfur oxides per year
- 10.2 tons [20,400 pounds] of nitrogen oxides per year
- 1,360 pounds of particulates per year
David R. Lloyd, Director of the Facilities Management and Services Division in EPA’s Office of Administration and Resources Management, Washington D.C., said, “The EPA takes pride in this procurement as it supports greenhouse gas emission reductions for Federal agencies. The purchase of 100 percent zero-emission green power develops renewable energy markets on a local scale while providing global air quality benefits. This purchase also marks the beginning of a new partnership with the Western Area Power Administration. Green Power procurement is one more tool we can use to reduce the impact of EPA's facilities on the environment.” Today, EPA purchases more than 220 million kilowatt-hours of green power each year for 26 laboratories and offices across the nation. This energy provides nearly 80 percent of the agency’s annual electrical needs. Aquila, Inc. will provide 6.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year to the grid from the Colorado Green wind farm near Lamar in Prowers County, Colorado. This wind energy is certified by Green-e™. Western Area Power Administration managed the solicitation and provided contracting services for this procurement. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provided technical support. Roberts said, “Western Area Power and private energy companies like Aquila are forward-thinking energy providers who see the economic and environmental advantages of renewable energy sources.” For more information on green tags and renewable energy, visit EPA’s Green Power Web site. To find a renewable energy product in your area, visit the Green-e Web site. For more about Western’s renewable resources program, log on to its Web site. Source: Energy Central, 1/6/2005.
Harvard University student newspaper the Harvard Crimson reported last week that the Kennedy School of Government will purchase wind-generated electricity to meet 100 percent of its energy needs. In a December referendum, the newspaper said a majority of KSG students voted in favor of adopting a $5 mandatory surcharge to each semester's tuition bill to fund the purchase of wind energy for the school. However, according to the Crimson, KSG dean David Ellwood later decided that the school would use administrative funds to pay for the transition to renewable energy, citing his reluctance to increase students' tuition bills. The paper noted that Ellwood's objections to the surcharge echoed those of Harvard University president Lawrence Summers, who opposes purchasing wind energy using funds sourced from tuition surcharges because "the term bill is to finance the educational mission of the university, not to finance social action of any kind." Source: Harvard Crimson, 1/7/2005 via EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/10/2005.
American Superconductor Corporation announced the sale of its D-VAR voltage regulation system to Nebraska Public Power District for use at the Ainsworth Wind Turbine Project to be located near Ainsworth, NE. According to AMSC, the project will comprise 36 Vestas V82 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 60 megawatts, and will be constructed on behalf of NPPD by RES America Construction, Inc.
AMSC said the D-VAR system constantly monitors voltage where the wind turbines connect to the transmission grid, while its ancillary equipment regulates the voltage. Contact: Jack Jackson, AMSC, phone 781-444-1020. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/05/2005.
National Geothermal Specialists applied to construct a geothermal facility at Salt Wells in Nevada. After NGS obtains the necessary permits, staff of the Public Utilities Commission recommended that a Permit to Construct for the Salt Wells Geothermal Power Plant Project be issued to NGS. Therefore the Application of Nevada Geothermal Specialists, designated as Docket No. 04-4011 has been granted, subject to certain terms set forth in the written agreement. The final approval could come as early as next month, according to Bureau of Land Management officials.
The new power plant will be the first geothermal facility to operate since the 1992 opening of the Brady Hot Springs plant in Churchill County. The recent renewed interest in renewable energy in Nevada comes after the Nevada State Legislature passed a law in the late 1990s mandating power providers get at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2013. NGS plans to operate 10 megawatts of power by late 2005 in order to capitalize upon the recently congressionally passed tax break for new geothermal projects. In order to qualify for the 1.8 cent per kilowatt hour tax break, geothermal plants must be online before 2006. Download the compliance order or read more about “Salt Wells Power Plant Nears Approval.” Source: December 20, 2004 GEA Update
The facility near Weatherford will be the largest of its kind in Oklahoma. A wind farm to serve customers of AEP-PSO is under construction near Weatherford and is expected to begin commercial operation this spring. FPL Energy LLC began building the Weatherford Wind Energy Center last month. The project calls for 71 wind turbines on a 3,800-acre site just west of the city.
The facility will have a capacity of 106.5 megawatts, enough to power 31,000 homes. All the power will be sold to American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma under a 20-year contract. AEP-PSO is the state's second-largest electric utility, serving 505,000 customers, including 285,000 in the Tulsa area.
The wind power project may help lower the electricity costs of AEP-PSO customers because wind power is cheaper than power made from natural gas, thanks to soaring gas prices and advancements in wind power technology. About 40 percent of the power produced by AEP-PSO is made with natural gas. "With what's happening with gas prices, it could have a beneficial impact on overall fuel costs," said AEP-PSO spokesman Stan Whiteford.
The utility's wind power production costs will be passed on to customers each month through the company's fuel-cost adjustment, which includes the cost of coal and gas-fired power. "It won't raise rates, but it will become part of the fuel costs," Whiteford said. AEP-PSO is expected to secure additional wind power supplies later this year. In November, the utility announced plans to buy up to 250 megawatts of renewable energy. A number of bids were submitted, and all of them called for the construction of wind power, Whiteford said.
Agreements to purchase those power supplies are expected to be completed in March, the utility said. "Competition in the wind energy industry in Oklahoma is increasing, and that's going to help make wind power economical for our customers," Whiteford said. The facility near Weatherford will be Oklahoma's third major wind farm, and its largest. The Oklahoma Wind Energy Center near Woodward, a 102-megawatt facility, and the Blue Canyon Wind Farm near Lawton, a 74.25-megawatt plant, were completed in 2003.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., which already provides a wind power option to customers, said last month that it may add 80 megawatts of wind-generated power to its system because of rising natural gas prices. OG&E said more than 9,000 residential customers subscribe to its wind power option and that demand is growing. Western Farmers Electric Cooperative and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority started providing wind power to Oklahoma customers in 2003. OG&E and others who chose to provide wind power to Oklahoma customers have been pleased with the results so far, said Stephen Stadler, president of the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council.
"They're not disappointed," he said. Stadler said Oklahoma ranks eighth in wind power resources and that officials are discussing the construction of more wind power plants in the state. Such construction could lure manufacturers of wind power equipment to Oklahoma, he said. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce "is very interested in getting a wind power manufacturer in the state," he said. FPL Energy is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group Inc. Source: Tulsa WorldRussell, 1/8/2005, Ray Russell, 581-8380, via Energy Central, 1/10/2005.
The New Zealand Herald recently reported that Geotherm Group has received approval for its proposed $280-million geothermal power station, to be constructed near Taupo, New Zealand. According to the newspaper, the new plant, which has a 60-megawatt-per-day anticipated daily output, will extract geothermal fluid from the Wairakai-Tauhara geothermal field and then inject it back into the ground. The New Zealand Herald noted that the company hopes to construct 16 one-kilometer wells to remove the geothermal fluid and eight 1.5-km wells to replace the fluid. Source New Zealand Herald, 1/7/2005 via EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/10/2005.
A Richmond-area developer of wind-energy projects has been bought by a U.S. subsidiary of Scottish Power. PPM Energy of Portland, Ore., announced yesterday that it has acquired Atlantic Renewable Energy Corp., whose offices are on Church Road in Henrico County. The company will be known as PPM Atlantic Renewable.
Theo J. deWolff, the former principal partner in Atlantic Renewable, said the staff of his company is "delighted to become a part of PPM." The deal closed Dec. 29. The price paid for Atlantic Renewable was not announced. DeWolff, who will be the managing director of PPM Atlantic Renewable, said the company has 500 megawatts of wind projects in the pipeline in the Northeast scheduled to be in operation by 2010. States in the Northeast and the Midwest have passed some of the nation's strongest requirements that renewable energy become part of their electricity supply.
With the capacity of wind-energy generation in the eastern United States expected to grow by 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts in the next five years, it made sense for Atlantic Renewable to join with a bigger player, deWolff said. Wind Energy projects are capital intensive and PPM Energy, the second-largest wind-power company in the country, has the financial strength to pursue them, he said.
PPM Energy has projects producing 830 megawatts of electricity in operation in seven states and hopes to bring 2,300 megawatts more to market by 2010. PPM Atlantic Renewable developed roughly two-thirds of the wind- energy projects in the East. The company has developed windmill farms in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In 2002, Atlantic Renewable received an award for commercial achievement from the American Wind Energy Association, based in Washington.
DeWolff and partner Bill Moore, who had a background in wind energy, founded Atlantic Renewable in 1998. They saw the coming of electric deregulation as an opportunity to develop wind-energy projects. At least for the time being, the company's administrative office will remain in Henrico, deWolff said. Source: Richmond Times - Dispatch, 1/6/2005 via Energy Central, 1/10/2005.
U.S. Geothermal Inc., a renewable energy development company focused on geothermal energy in the Pacific Northwest, today announced that, on Dec. 29, 2004, it entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Idaho Power Company for the electrical output from Phase One of the Raft River geothermal power project. The 20-year contract is regulated by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and provides published electric power prices for a monthly average output of 10 megawatts of electric power. The contract has been submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for final approval, which is expected to take approximately 30 days.
“With the signing of this contract we are now ready to build an efficient 10 MW geothermal power plant at Raft River utilizing the existing production wells and known energy resource,” said Daniel Kunz, President & CEO of U.S. Geothermal Inc. “This transaction will commercialize Phase One of the project and set the stage for growth on both the project and corporate levels.”
The Raft River Phase One power plant is scheduled to begin power generation in mid 2006 and will receive payments under a price schedule that starts with $51.50 per MW and increases 2.3 percent annually to a maximum of $81.25 per MW over the 20-year term of the contract. The published prices are established for electric power only. US Geothermal retains ownership of any renewable energy credits (“Green Tags” and “Carbon Credits”), and intends to market them separately, which can significantly enhance the profitability of the project. Source: Jan 7, 2005 GEA Update
Northern Arizona University and the Arizona Wind Working Group are hosting a day-long symposium on wind energy development in Arizona. The program, Wind Energy in Arizona: Resource to Reality, will present information on Arizona's wind development activities and potential, economic benefits for rural areas of the state and policy to support development on private, federal and state trust lands. Additional topics and a stakeholder's roundtable will also be presented. For more information and to register see or contact Pat Ponce at 928-523-2380. Source: Amanda Ormond, 1/5/2005.
The NWCC Western Transmission Workshop III, to be held in Sacramento, Calif., Feb. 1 and 2, 2005, will bring together stakeholders to review regional energy policy and transmission planning work, analyze sub-regional transmission need assessments, compare them with state and utility generation and transmission expansion plans, and discuss recommendations for the Western Governors and other decision makers. Source: NWCC Release, 12/27/2004.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency may be able to help reduce the current
high cost of natural gas, according to a report released today by Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory. Heightened natural gas prices have emerged as
a key energy-policy challenge. With the recent run-up in prices, deepening
concerns about the ability of North American gas production to keep up with
demand, and the continuing reliance on natural gas as a favored fuel for electricity
generation, a growing number of voices are calling for increased diversification
of energy supplies.
“Our report shows that renewable energy and energy efficiency can displace
gas-fired electricity generation, reducing gas demand and putting downward
pressure on natural gas prices and bills,” says report co-author Ryan
Wiser of Berkeley Lab.
The report’s findings are based on a review and analysis of recent modeling studies that have evaluated the gas-price-reduction effect of renewable energy and energy efficiency deployment. “The 13 studies and 20 specific analyses that we review consistently show that increased use of renewable energy and energy efficiency can begin to reduce natural gas prices,” adds co-author Mark Bolinger.
While variations in the magnitude of the price suppression are significant among the studies, and more research on this effect is warranted, the studies generally show that each 1 percent reduction in natural gas demand nationwide is likely to lead to a long-term wellhead price reduction of 0.8 percent to 2 percent, with some studies showing even more significant reductions. “This means that increased use of renewable energy benefits natural gas consumers at a level conservatively estimated to be equivalent to at least $10 to $20 for each megawatt-hour of incremental renewable generation,” notes Bolinger.
The report also develops and demonstrates the use of a simple, transparent analysis tool that can be used to evaluate the potential impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency on natural gas prices and bills across all sectors of the economy. “Based on our analysis, we find that the 18 existing state renewable portfolio standards in the U.S. could provide natural gas bill savings of $7 to $18 billion on a net-present-value basis, while the California RPS alone could deliver national consumer savings of $3 to $9 billion,” says Wiser.
The study also evaluates the potential impacts of New England and New York RPS policies; state renewable energy fund support for renewable projects; projections by the American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Associations of wind and solar power deployment, respectively; California’s aggressive natural gas efficiency goals; and two possible national efficiency standards for residential boilers and furnaces.
Download the report “Easing the Natural Gas Crisis: Reducing Natural Gas Prices through Increased Deployment of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.” For more information on the report, and its findings, contact: Ryan Wiser, 510-486-5474. Source: Ryan Wiser, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1/5/2005.
JEDI is a user-friendly tool that calculates economic impacts from wind projects. It allows you to easily identify the local economic impacts associated with constructing and operating wind power plants. JEDI is for wind developers, renewable energy advocates, government officials, decision makers, and other potential users who might not have the resources to develop their own economic development model. It is designed to accommodate a broad user base with varying experience with economic development modeling. It accommodates inexperienced spreadsheet users, those unfamiliar with economic impact analysis, and more experienced and knowledgeable users who need this type of analysis.
Solar Energy International offers hands-on workshops in solar, wind and water power and natural building technologies in eleven locations. SEI also offers internet based online courses.
As of Nov. 1, 2004, 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 Feb. 7 web cast will focus on "Screening Renewable Energy Alternatives, Including Wind, Solar, Hydro and Geothermal. " Guest speakers include Roger Taylor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Dennis Elliott, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Pat Laney, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory; and Doug Hall, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory; Brian Walshe, Altera Energy, Inc.; and Larry Barrett, Barrett and Associates. 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.
To register for the Feb. 7 web cast, 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. Past web cast presentations can be downloaded from the PRP Web site.
The Geothermal Resources Council will convene its 2005 Annual Meeting at the Reno Hilton in Reno, NV on Sept. 25-28. The GRC Annual Meeting provides the most important international annual Technical Program where participants learn about the latest advances in geothermal research and development, while enjoying a variety of Optional Events where they can renew old friendships and form new contacts with the best and most influential minds in the industry. These include Field Trips, Workshops, Annual Banquet, Awards Luncheon and Golf Tournament. A unique and special event planned for the GRC 2005 Annual Meeting is a pre-conference workshop for electric utilities on geothermal power generation in cooperation with the U.S. DOE GeoPowering the West Program Program. The GRC 2005 Golf Tournament will take place on Sept. 25 for Annual Meeting participants.
Further information about the GRC 2005 Annual Meeting and companion Geothermal Energy Association Trade Show will be posted as it becomes available on the GRC Web site. You may also phone (530) 758-2360 or e-mail GRC. Ask for a hard copy of the GRC 2005 Annual Meeting First Announcement and Call for Papers. The brochure describes various Technical Program Session Themes and provides guidelines for submitting papers for the event.
The Quarterly Newsletter (PDF 565 KB) of the Native American Wind Interest Group Summer 2004 is posted online. Also, the annual Wind Energy Applications and Training Symposium is scheduled for May 11 to 14, in Boulder, Colo., at the National Wind Technology Center. The WEATS fee will be waived for Native American participants. If interested in attending, contact Tony Jimenez. See the NAWIG newsletter for more information. See DOE's Tribal Energy Program for information. Also, see DOE’s new "Guide to Tribal Energy Development." Source: Lizana Pierce, Project Manager DOE Golden Field Office.
As we all get back into the swing of things, please be aware of the following National Wind Coordinating Committee activities:
• Please check out the newly redesigned
Web site
• Business Meeting #34 is January 19th in Tempe, AZ
• Western Transmission Workshop III is February 1-2 in Sacramento, CA
• All three workgroups have calls in the next two weeks (Transmission,
Wildlife and Siting)
For more information go to the bi-weekly
update. Source: Rachel Permut,
National Wind Coordinating Committee.
The U.S. Department of Energy designed an online directory of renewable and energy efficiency tools to help researchers, designers, architects, engineers, builders, and code officials evaluate and rank potential energy-efficiency technologies and renewable energy strategies in new or existing buildings. Visit the directory for more than 275 energy-related software tools, including databases, spreadsheets, component and systems analyses, and whole-building energy performance simulation programs. For each tool in the directory, a short description is provided along with other information including expertise required, users, audience, input, output, computer platforms, programming language, strengths, weaknesses, technical contact, and availability. Source: U.S. DOE Building Technologies Program via GreenBiz.com, 1/10/2005.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council interconnection newsletter for January 2005 called “Connecting to the Grid,” can be downloaded now. For more information contact IREC. Source: IREC Interconnection Newsletter, 1/20/2005.
The American Council on Renewable Energy and nine renewable energy trade associations announced today their endorsement of POWER-GEN Renewable Energy 2005, the all-renewable energy trade show to be held at the Las Vegas Hilton on March 1 to 3.
POWER-GEN Renewable Energy is supported by trade associations such as the American Wind Energy Association. “The American Wind Energy Association is pleased to endorse POWER-GEN Renewable Energy,” said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. “There is strong market demand for wind and other renewable energy sources because of their environmental benefits and value as insurance against fuel cost volatility. POWER-GEN Renewable Energy makes it easy for utilities and other energy companies to look into, and do business with, the full range of renewable energy technologies.”
Solar Energy Industries Association was a major player in creating the event.
SEIA Executive Director Rhone Resch stated that, “The POWER-GEN Renewable
Energy conference is a wonderful showcase for solar energy and other fast-growing
renewable energy technologies. As well, PGRE offers a wide variety of business-to-business
opportunities that are critical to our industry's continuing growth. SEIA
looks forward to participating in another successful PGRE conference.”
POWER-GEN Renewable Energy 2005 features a Bioenergy Pavilion covering biomass,
biofuels, and bioproducts. Supporting associations in the bioenergy arena
include the New Uses Council, the American Bioenergy Association, and the
Clean Fuels Development Coalition.
Over 50 exhibitors have already secured space including General Electric, Babcock & Wilcox, and Daimler-Chrysler.
Other partnering associations include the Solar Electric Power Association,
National Hydrogen Association, and the Geothermal Energy Association. Supporting
organizations include Edison Electric Institute, the Electric Power Research
Institute, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association, and the US Energy Association.
ACORE also is running a special dual promotion for new members. Exhibitors
that sign up for membership in ACORE by January 31, 2005 are eligible for
a special promotion in which 50 percent of their first year dues can be applied
to the cost of a POWER-GEN Renewable Energy Exhibit Booth, for a savings that
can be as high as $1,500. Source: Power-Gen Release, 1/10/2005.
The Solar Electric Power Association, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Planning Committee for Solar Power 2005 invite you to submit abstracts for presentations and panels. Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 11, 2005.
Exhibit Space Sales: The exhibitor application and floor plan for the 2005 show are now available on the right side of the exhibits page in the blue text boxes. Space is currently on sale to sponsors (including sponsors of the 2004 event). On Jan. 10, space will go on sale to all 2004 exhibitors, and on Feb. 1, the remaining space will become available to all interested companies. Source: SEIA Release, 12/16/2005.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory would like to announce the completion of a new report by Berkeley Lab (in collaboration with NREL): “Evaluating State Markets for Residential Wind Systems: Results from an Economic and Policy Analysis Tool.”
The market for small, residential wind systems in the U.S. is small, but growing, with recent growth primarily spurred by aggressive state policy efforts. This new report, sponsored by the U.S. DOE’s Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program, evaluates the economics of these residential wind systems, by state, given current and possible future state and federal incentives.
The primary purpose of this work is to help policymakers at the state and federal levels assess the types of policies that might effectively encourage the growth of the market for small wind turbines (< 100 kW). In addition, this work should help small wind stakeholders identify the most promising state markets for small wind systems.
An entire list of Berkeley
Lab renewable energy publications is available online. Source: Ryan Wiser,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 12/21/2004.
The monthly Biomass Initiative Newsletter for the month of January 2005 is now available.
Lewis is a 14-term House member representing a district that includes much of San Bernardino County in Southern California. To win the influential Appropriations Committee position, he beat out Reps. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) and Hal Rogers (R-Ky.). Lewis succeeds Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.), who held the chairmanship for six years.
During his 26 years in Congress, Lewis has held several top GOP leadership positions, including four years beginning in 1988 as chairman of the GOP Conference Committee. He lost the post to then-Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas), who later went on to become the House majority leader.
Lewis has also played a large role on environmental and energy matters both before and during his career on Capitol Hill. As a California state legislator, Lewis was the lead author that created the South Coast Air Quality Management District. From 1994 to 1999, he chaired the House VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. EPA's annual budget.
Environmental groups have not seen eye to eye with Lewis on many policy matters, however. According to the League of Conservation Voters annual scorecard, Lewis voted with environmental groups 6 percent of the time during the 108th Congress. His highest LCV score in recent years, at 28 percent, came during the 105th Congress in 1997 and 1998. Source: Darren Samuelsohn, E&E Daily senior reporter, 1/5/2005.
With natural gas legislation likely to be a central component of the energy debate on Capitol Hill this year, the study could further spur policies targeted at reducing natural gas demand.
Economic modeling by researchers at DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggests a 1 percent reduction in natural gas demand is likely to reduce gas prices in the long term by between 0.8 percent and 2 percent, the report says.
"Increased deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency can hedge natural gas price risk in more than one way, but this paper touches on just one potential benefit: displacement of gas-fired electricity generation, which reduces natural gas demand and thus puts downward pressure on gas prices," the researchers said in their report, which was released last week.
To gauge the economic effects of various renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, researchers used the results of 19 different economic models to create a "simple, transparent analysis tool" to evaluate the potential effects of future energy policies.
The Lawrence Berkeley analysts then modeled the potential effects of a wide range of policies, ranging from state efficiency programs to a national renewable portfolio standard. The economic models showed "significant" savings for consumers, with estimates as high as $23 billion for some national renewable energy programs. Regional and state efforts are likely to have a much smaller effect on gas prices, researchers said.
DOE's findings dovetail with recent recommendations sent to the White House and Congress by a wide range of industry and environmental groups. A memo authored last week by the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Chemistry Council, the American Iron and Steel Institute and other groups deemed energy efficiency and conservation the "most important near term option." The memo also called for increased use of renewable energy sources through steps such as expanded use of energy tax credits (Greenwire, Jan. 4).
Some analysts cautioned against relying too much on natural gas price estimates. "Our past historic answers to these questions mean we don't really know where the market is going," said Neal Elliott, industrial program director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. "There are so many uncertainties right now," he said, noting that estimates of gas prices spanning the next five to six years are far more accurate than many longer-term forecasts.
Still, Elliott called near-term efforts on renewables and energy efficiency "absolutely key elements" in dealing with gas prices. "If we can do something on the efficiency and the renewable side today, that means we've got a little more breathing room," Elliott said. Source: Brian Stempeck, E&E Publishing, LLC, Greenwire Ssenior Reporter, 1/10/2005.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) today made the following statement: “As we look forward to the 109th Congress, I am pleased to announce the Republican committee assignments. The next two years will be filled with many legislative initiatives and I have every confidence that the members of these committees will diligently work towards moving America forward. I would also like to thank Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Committee on Committees for all his hard work in pulling together this talented team.”
The following are several of the proposed Republican Committee Assignments for 109th Congress (committee assignments are subject to Republican Conference approval):
See the complete list online. On the House side, Committee assignments were still underway, but a listing of all House Members and a separate listing of new House members has been posted on the House Clerk's Web site. Source: Jan 7, 2005 GEA Update
The Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System took a significant step forward in December with the approval by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council Board of Directors of the WREGIS Committee Charter and the subsequent formation of a WREGIS Interim Committee.
The WREGIS Committee Charter approved at the WECC Board Meeting on Dec. 2, 2004, establishes WREGIS as a Board Committee within the WECC organization. As provided in the Charter, an Interim Committee has now been appointed to organize a Stakeholders Advisory Committee consisting of WREGIS participants, and to oversee formation of the WREGIS Committee. Once formed, the WREGIS Committee will set fees, adjust operating rules, approve standards and insure that WREGIS goals of creating and tracking creditable and marketable renewable energy certificates are achieved.
Procurement of the electronic software that will perform the RECs tracking functions is currently making its way through the State of California Department of Finance, with approval expected in January of 2005. Selection of software developer and WREGIS system operator is slated for the second quarter, with system construction and testing planned for the fourth quarter of 2005. WREGIS is expected to be operational in January of 2006.
WREGIS is a project of the Western Governors Association and the California Energy Commission. The program will track renewable energy certificates throughout the Western Interconnection, allowing users and generators of electricity to efficiently meet the renewable energy portfolios required by the various states and provinces in the West. Source: WECC Release, 12/28/2004.
The Valles Caldera Trust has approved a final version of a document that will guide management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico. The final version includes chapters on geothermal development. Private parties, who own about 12 percent of the mineral rights on Valles Caldera, have leased those rights to GeoProducts of New Mexico for possible development of geothermal electric power. The printed version of the final draft of the Framework and Strategic Guidance for Comprehensive Management will be available to the public sometime after February 1, 2005. View this brief article online. Source: Jan 7, 2005 GEA Update.
The two tables found at the following web link list organizations that can help you obtainSO2 and NOx allowances for any use, including for compliance with the Acid Rain Program, future trading, or retirement (never using the allowance and thereby preventing sulfur dioxide emissions). Source: EMA, 1/7/2005.
The Annual Energy Outlook presents a midterm forecast and analysis of US energy supply, demand, and prices through 2025. The projections are based on results from the Energy Information Administration's National Energy Modeling System. U.S. oil and fuel imports will increase 71 percent during the next two decades as domestic crude production declines and demand grows, according to the report. In addition, U.S. imports of crude oil, gasoline, jet fuel and other petroleum products will reach 19.3 million barrels a day in 2025, up from 11.3 million at the end of 2003. U.S. petroleum consumption will climb 39 percent by 2025 to the equivalent of 25.6 million barrels a day from 18.4 million in 2003, the report said. The AEO2005 Early Release includes the reference case and an alternative oil price case, the October oil futures case. The full publication, to be released in early 2005, will include complete documentation and additional cases examining energy markets. Source: December 20, 2004 GEA Update.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly request proposals for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative. The intent of this RFP is to promote greater innovation and development related to biomass, and to support Federal policy calling for greater use of biomass-based products, feedstock production, processing and conversion. The FY05 RFP focuses on the development and demonstration of projects that lead to greater commercialization. $15 million expected to be available, awards NTE $2 million each. Responses due 2/15/05. Refer to Sol# 67-3A75-5-22. (Fedgrants 12/17/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The Defense Logistics Agency seeks Renewable
Energy Certificates for ultimate transfer to the NASA Johnson Space
Center facility in Houston, TX. For the purposes of this solicitation, renewable
is defined as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. Contracts are anticipated
for a 2 yr. period. Responses due 1/11/05. (FBO 12/10/4). Source: Western
Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships Phase II. RCSP supports the FutureGen Initiative by validating technologies and identifying locations throughout the U.S. that could support future full-scale geologic sequestration deployment opportunities. $14.3 million expected to be available, 7 awards anticipated. Responses due 3/15/05. Refer to Sol# DE-PS26-05NT42255. (Fedgrants 12/14/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The U.S. Department of the Interior requests proposals for the Desalination and Water Purification Research and Development Program. The intent of the program is to augment the supply of usable water in the U.S through the development of more cost-effective and efficient means to desalinate water. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Developing methods to make desalting more energy efficient; developing methods to ensure desalting technologies have acceptable impacts on health and the environment; expanding the use of desalination processes for multiple uses such as municipal water, wastewater reuse, industrial, and agricultural uses. $4 million expected to be available, 17 awards anticipated. Pre-proposals due 2/2/05. For more info, contact Randale Jackson. Refer to Sol# DOI-GRANTS-120804-001. (Fedgrants 12/8/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 requests proposals for Water Quality Projects that focus on the elimination of pollution. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Innovative water efficiency programs or techniques to reduce infrastructure costs or municipal water use and the development and demonstration of innovative or alternative to treat/process wastewater or manage manure. Work must take place in one or more Region 2 States or Territories including NY, NJ, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. $1.8 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $250K. Responses due 2/10/05. For more info, contact Elizabeth Van Rabenswaay, EPA, at (212) 637-3881. Refer to Sol# DEPP-FO. (Fedgrants 12/13/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the FY05 Multi-Media State and Tribal Assistance Grant Program. The goal of STAG is to strengthen the ability of states and tribes to address environmental and public health threats while furthering the art and science of environmental compliance. $2.2 million expected to be available, awards NTE $200K each. Responses due 2/4/05. For more info, contact David Piantanida, EPA, at (202) 564-8318. Refer to Sol# EPA-GRANTS-121504-001. (Fedgrants 12/16/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests applications for the National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program. This program provides students with an opportunity to participate in a project that is directly related to their environmental field of study. $600K expected to be available, 40 awards anticipated. Responses due 1/15/05. Refer to Sol# EPA-OEE-05-01. (Fedgrants 12/8/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 12/21/2004.
DOE’s Tribal Energy Program is seeking applications for funding from Federally-recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages and Alaskan Native Corporations for: 1) the initial steps toward developing renewable energy and energy efficiency on Tribal Lands; and 2) either renewable energy feasibility studies or renewable energy development projects. DOE will only consider applications from Tribes on whose Tribal Lands the project will be located. Applications from a consortium of Tribes will be accepted but must be submitted by a single Tribe representing the consortium. For copies of the announcements or amendments, access the links on DOE’s Tribal Energy Web site under “Funding Opportunities.” Once on the IIPS page, scroll down to “Full Announcement & Other Files” and double click on file to open the Funding Announcement or Amendment to open the word documents. Once open, the document can be viewed, saved or printed. Source: Jan 7, 2005 GEA Update.
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