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The Green-e Program of the Center for Resource Solutions announced today that Roseville Electric's new "Green Roseville" option is now Green-e certified. The City of Roseville joins the largest network of renewable energy providers who certify their high quality products with the nation's leading certification and verification program. Just two months after the program's launch, almost 400 residents choose "Green Roseville" and Roseville Electric announced a community goal to enroll 4 percent of the community (or 2,000) by the end of the year.
In front of the 100 percent Green Roseville-powered Civic Center, Roseville Electric held a press event to celebrate the business and residential leaders of the Green Roseville program. These early adopters of the clean energy program were recognized as leading customers that have been instrumental in bringing new wind and solar energy to Roseville and California including: FedEx Kinkos, Yammamoto and Lee Family Dentistry, Project Go, Inc, Debbie O'Jones, Bar Jo Service, B&H Building, Williams +Paddon Architects, and Planners, Roseville Electric and Roseville Civic Center.
Roseville Electric provides 98 percent of the energy for the 'Green Roseville' program from California-based wind power. This "homegrown" wind energy, with the additional 2 percent of electricity from local solar power, meets strict Green-e standards for eligible renewables.
Green-e is the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in the U.S. The program provides independent, third party certification to ensure certified renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards. Green-e's verification protects customers from paying for renewable energy that is "double sold" to other customers or used simultaneously to meet regulatory mandates.
Providers of Green-e certified renewable energy agree to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and meet Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements. All Green-e marketers undergo an annual verification audit to document that the company purchased or generated enough quantity and type of renewable energy to meet customer demand and marketing claims. Source: CRS Release, 2/6/2006.
Community Energy, Inc. recently announced that the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Purchasers group is purchasing more than 20 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy from the company. According to Community Energy, the agreement includes renewable energy certificates from wind farms in New England and across the country.
Community Energy noted that MREP, which was formed by the Center for Resources Solutions and Think Energy, Inc., comprises eight Massachusetts organizations, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Smith College, Sasaki Associates, Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., the Oak Foundation, Mount Holyoke College, the John Merck Fund, and Amherst College. Contact: Paul Copleman, Community Energy, phone 484-654-0106. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/24/2006.
The Green-e Program of the Center for Resource Solutions announced that the Buckeye Power "EnviroWatts" program is now Green-e certified.
Buckeye Power, the generation and transmission cooperative that provides power to Ohio's electric cooperatives, will be the first provider in the state of Ohio to offer high quality certified retail renewable energy verified by an independent third party known for credibility and consumer protection.
The Green-e certified renewable energy for the EnviroWatts program comes from collected methane gas produced from landfills that is then used to generate electricity. A portion of the cost of the 100-kilowatt hour block of EnviroWatts also goes to a renewable energy fund which supports research and development of renewable energy sources in Ohio for electric cooperatives.
"Now Ohio's electric cooperatives will have the ability to offer their members the 'EnviroWatts' program for their homes and businesses with the confidence that it is backed by the nation's leading symbol for renewable energy excellence," said Lars Kvale, Green-e Representative for the Southeast, Texas and Midwest Regions. "Green-e looks forward to working with the cooperatives to increase the demand for renewable electricity in Ohio." Source: Këri Bolding, CRS, 2/10/2006.
An exciting new technology was tested in a historic old building last Friday. The Grass Energy Collaborative, a new organization committed to developing grass energy as a renewable biofuel, tested grass pellets as fuel with a day-long burn in the furnace of the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms.
The collaborative, with membership representing universities, researchers, technology pioneers and environmentalists, is investigating pelletized grass as a fuel with benefits for land stewardship, economic development, a healthy environment and energy independence. At a time when energy concerns are a hot topic, even making it to President Bush's State of the Union speech last week, the prospect of an energy source that is affordable, sustainable and secure has captured the imagination of potential users, as well as farmers who see it as a possible new profit center for their farms.
Proponents of grass pellets as fuel describe a process where farmers would cut grass late in the season, typically from land that had been left fallow or was planted as a buffer strip to prevent pesticide and silt runoffs into streams, bale it and put it through a pelletizer to produce half-inch diameter pellets. The pellets can be burned in commercial heating systems, such as the ChipTec gasifier that is used at the Farm Barn.
The Grass Energy Collaborative was incorporated in Vermont as a non-profit in December of 2005. Its purpose is to demonstrate the viability of grass as a renewable energy source and to promote grassland stewardship for a healthy environment, economic development and energy independence.
During late summer of this year, The Grass Energy Collaborative will harvest approximately 300 acres of grass on Shelburne Farms and land nearby, press it into 1/2-inch diameter pellets, and store these pellets in silos owned by Meach Cove Trust in Shelburne. The grass pellet fuel will be burned in a few commercial heating systems, one of which will be the ChipTec gasifier located in the Farm Barn.
Next heating season, Shelburne Farms hopes to heat the Farm Barn entirely on pellets made from grass harvested on the farm. All the participants stressed that the technology is in its development stage and that Friday's burn was designed to show whether any modifications need to be made to the Farm Barn furnace to efficiently burn this fuel. A more extensive two day test will occur in about three weeks time. Members of the collaborative are also hoping to raise funds to develop a portable pelletizer that could be moved from farm to farm.
For information about The Grass Energy Collaborative or to request a copy of the GEC Working Paper, please contact: Jock Gill, 802-613-1444. For information about Shelburne Farms, please contact: Rosalyn Graham, 802-985-8686. Source: U.S. Newswire, 2/6/2006.
SkyBuilt Power Inc. has begun building electricity-generating units fueled mostly by solar and wind energy. The units, which use a battery backup system when the sun is down and the wind is calm, are designed to run for years with little maintenance. Depending upon its configuration, SkyBuilt's Mobile Power Station can generate up to 150 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power an emergency operations center, an Army field kitchen, or a small medical facility.
Privately owned SkyBuilt now has a new investor — In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm set up by the US Central Intelligence Agency. Skybuilt and In-Q-Tel will announce that they have signed a strategic development agreement, including an investment in SkyBuilt. In-Q-Tel's support is a breakthrough for the small firm. SkyBuilt provides innovative energy solutions with the potential to help meet a wide variety of critical government and commercial power needs.
The power stations could have important uses for disaster relief, homeland security, military operations, intelligence work, and a variety of commercial applications. The units are not yet designed for use by homeowners. Though it is not mentioned, SkyBuilt units would have obvious applications in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, where soldiers risk their lives over long supply lines to truck in fuel for generators. After hurricane Katrina, SkyBuilt units could have been rushed to the scene and set up in hours, restoring power to hospitals, evacuee centers, police and fire departments, and cellphone towers.
One big drawback of solar energy until now has been that it was a "custom industry," says Scott Sklar, vice president of SkyBuilt. Components are usually put together on-site, and differ from location to location. SkyBuilt follows the Ford model. Its MPS units are what Sklar calls "plop and drop, plug and play."
While SkyBuilt has 140 patent claims on its energy system, most of its individual component parts are widely available. MPS can use photovoltaic cells, small wind turbines, computers, batteries, and other parts from essentially any manufacturer. This open architecture allows its MPS units to be upgraded whenever a battery or other manufacturer comes out with a better product. It also reduces costs.
This was attractive to In-Q-Tel. Its mission is to identify and invest in firms with cutting-edge technologies that can aid US national security. Source: By John Dillin, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor, via Scott Sklar, 2/10/2006
Spire Corporation recently announced the introduction of its new SPI-ASSEMBLER 6000, the latest in its line of equipment for manufacturing solar photovoltaic modules. According to Spire, the SPI-ASSEMBLER 6000 is built upon the foundation of the earlier 5000 series and combines tabbing and stringing into one automated production machine that interconnects solar cells by soldering flat metal leads to cell contacts.
Spire noted that the new equipment also includes a number of features recently developed in response to industry needs, including the ability to process thin silicon cells with high yield and utilize a wide variety of interconnect ribbon types to help increase manufacturing flexibility. Additionally, the machine's throughput has been increased. Contact: Stephen Hogan, Spire, phone 781-275-6000. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 1/26/2006.
Red Herring is running an interview with Ron Kenedi, Vice President of the Solar Energy Group at Sharp Electronics. Despite 60 percent growth, a 43 percent market share and the undisputed champion of solar energy in the US, Kenedi claims "We’re getting more silicon than anyone else in the world, but we really could double sales if we had [more of] the silicon."
Between tax credits and rebates, the incentive to offset some grid power on new housing seems more and more enticing. Considering payback periods on your average 1kW solar array have already dropped from 30 years to 20 years in just the few years I have been researching the technology, it seems increasingly likely that my next residence will definitely have some solar capability. Kenedi's comments about silicon quantity are somewhat troubling, but considering the entire solar industry has doubled in size every year for the last 5 years, logistics problems are hardly a surprise. Source: Daily Tech, By Kristopher Kubicki, 2/6/2006.
Powered by Renewables of Nevada, announced today it will partner with SunEdison of Maryland to develop the world's largest solar photovoltaic project in Nevada. The 18-megawatt project almost doubles what is currently the world's largest PV project (10MW) located in Germany.
PBR and SunEdison will develop a total of 36 MWs of PV projects in Nevada, enough energy to power 36,000 homes. Construction in Clark County is expected to begin in July and at other sites in early 2007. "I'm really pleased that PBR and SunEdison are teaming up to develop a world-class solar project using Nevada's unrivaled solar resources," said U.S. Senator Harry Reid. "These are the kinds of ventures we hope to repeat across the West, and the nation, as part of our drive for energy independence by 2020."
The proposed project will be privately owned and operated. The military intends to purchase electricity from the project. Projects developed by PBR and SunEdison will provide sustainable solutions to Nevada's growing energy needs, help reduce the state's $3 billion a year energy deficit, increase energy security, reduce energy-related emissions, and diversify Nevada's economy. Source: PRNewswire, 2/6/2006.
Hydrogenics will deliver its HySTAT-A Hydrogen Station to Gas Natural SDG, a Spanish-based energy services multinational with approximately ten million customers living in Spain, Latin America, Italy and France. The hydrogen will fuel an internal combustion engine generator at the Sotavento Galicia wind farm, which will supply electricity to the electrical grid.
The Sotavento Galicia wind farm currently loses revenue by producing more electricity than can be delivered to the grid, as the excess "green" electricity cannot be stored or delivered to the electrical grid. By powering the HySTAT Hydrogen Station with the excess wind energy, Gas Natural will provide the means to capture high value electricity that otherwise would have been lost and use it to make more electricity for the grid than before.
"This project demonstrates the role that hydrogen can play as an energy carrier," said Pierre Rivard, Hydrogenics President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we will prove at this location, excess electricity from wind can produce hydrogen to fuel an internal combustion engine, essentially turning that excess wind power back into electricity that people can use."
The project at the Sotavento Galicia wind farm is completely green and is the sixth project that Hydrogenics has announced with various worldwide customers where hydrogen stations are powered by wind or solar energy. This latest hydrogen station, which represents a contract worth more than EUR 500,000 [USD $600,000], is complete with outdoor housing and auxiliary equipment. Installation and commission is expected by September 2006. Source: Renewable Energy Access, 2/6/2006.
The Associated Press reported last week that New York-based Noble Environmental Power has revealed plans to erect 32 wind turbines in Huron County, MI by June, with the goal of bringing an additional 148 to the region by 2008. AP said the 380-foot-tall turbines, which are being built on land leased from local farmers, will feature three 125-foot blades. According to AP, electricity generated by the turbines will be sold to Consumers Power and other energy suppliers in the state. AP noted that all of the 180 turbines will be located in Michigan's Thumb region, which is approximately two hours north of Detroit. Source: AP, 2/6/2006.
The South West of England Regional Development Agency recently announced it has short-listed Ocean Prospect, Ltd, Ocean Power Technologies and Fred. Olsen, Ltd as development partners for the proposed 15-million-pound (about $26 million) Wave Hub project from 2007. According to South West RDA, the effort looks to create a wave energy farm approximately 10 miles off the coast of Cornwall by building an electrical "socket" on the seabed, which will be connected to the national grid via an underwater cable.
South West RDA noted that Ocean Prospect will trial up to 10 Pelamis P750 devices developed by Ocean Power Delivery of Edinburgh. The P750s are semi-submerged structures designed to pump high-pressure oil through hydraulic motors via wave-induced motion. Ocean Power Technologies plans to install a five-megawatt project at the Wave Hub, based on its PowerBuoy wave energy converter. The PowerBuoy, which is free floating and loosely moored to the seabed, is equipped with a float that moves vertically on the central spar as waves pass, driving a hydraulic pump that forces hydraulic fluid through a rotary motor connected to an electrical generator.
Fred. Olsen, Ltd has developed a multiple point-absorber system for energy extraction from the waves, which includes a number of floating buoys attached to a floating platform that converts wave energy to electricity. South West RDA noted that it has already committed 2 million pounds (about $3.5 million) to the Wave Hub project as part of its strategy to develop environmental technologies in the South West region. Contact: South West RDA. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 2/8/2006.
Glendale Water & Power has recently started to receive geothermal energy from its new Power Sales agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority for a 3 megawatt share of the Ormat Geothermal Energy Project. GWP will receive approximately 25 gigawatt hours of geothermal energy each year for the next 25 years, for use in Glendale. That is enough electricity to power 3,000 single-family homes annually with clean, green energy though 2032. Currently, GWP is receiving 25 percent of its contracted amount, as production has just started and facilities are still under construction.
With 14 percent of current sales coming from renewable resources, GWP is in line with California's best performers who are between 10 and 20 percent. In continuing towards its renewable goal, GWP proposed the participation in the Ormat Geothermal Energy Project. The Ormat project will provide energy from two plants located in the geothermal resource areas of Imperial Valley, California. With the addition of the Ormat project, approximately 16 percent of GWP's electric sales will come from renewable power resources.
Senate Bill 1078, signed into law in 2003, requires specific renewable resource requirements for investor owned utilities and strongly encourages local publicly-owned utilities to adopt similar standards. This is the third renewable energy agreement GWP has signed in the last two years, and will be an important contribution to GWP's renewable generation goals adopted in December 2003 as part of its Renewables Portfolio Standard.
To meet RPS goals, 20 percent of the power GWP sells must come from cost-effective renewable resources by 2017. The RPS also outlines the strategies for accomplishing the goal through a combination of long-term and short-term projects. GWP is required to report its progress in meeting the 20 percent goal to its customers on an annual basis.
As sales grow, GWP will continue to look for additional renewable generation opportunities as it continues on the road to 20 percent by 2017. Current estimates suggest GWP will need to invest in additional renewable resources capable of providing another 49 gigawatt hours a year to meet its RPS goal. Source: Atineh N. Haroutunian, City of Glendale Water & Power, 2/9/2006.
A new report reviewing the renewable energy practices and programs of four U.S. cities has identified 14 common features necessary for success. The report, “Sustainable Cities,” was prepared for the Sierra Club by Ken Regelson and examines programs in Austin, Texas, Chicago, Ill., Portland, Ore., and Ft. Collins, Colo.
For comparison purposes, two cities were served by investor-owned utilities and two cities by their own municipal utility. The report determined that 14 key elements were necessary for implementing sustainability in energy in the four cities: leadership, a plan, funding, reduced energy costs, communications, training, inspections and measurements, efficiency rebate programs, renewable energy programs, green building, multi-family building programs, income qualified programs, new businesses and green roof programs.
In addition to detailed examples for each of the four cities, the report contains links to more than 80 web sites with supporting information. Source: Bill Becker, 2/5/2006.
The California Energy Commission released a consultant report on January 12, 2006 entitled Building a Margin of Safety Into Renewable Energy Procurements: A Review of Experience with Contract Failure.
Based on a variety of data sources, this CEC-commissioned report summarizes potentially relevant experience with renewable energy contract failure from historical experience in California; from a broad group of other North American electric utilities; and from government renewable energy contract and incentive auctions. Though prepared within the context of the California RPS, this paper should be of broader interest.
In implementing state renewables portfolio standards, utility purchasers and electricity regulators must confront the reality that signed renewable energy contracts will not always yield operational projects on the timeline given in the contracts themselves. If not addressed, this risk of contract failure could cause individual load-serving entities, or entire states, to fall short of their renewable energy targets.
The report recommends that utilities and utility regulators anticipate and monitor renewable energy contract failure on an ongoing basis. As additional contracting experience is gained, the report also notes that it will be helpful to scrutinize the different approaches used by utility purchasers to mitigate contract failure, document early experience with those measures, and compare in some detail the approaches used in various jurisdictions. Source: SEPA Bi-Weekly News, 1/27/2006.
The new Solar Power Conference website is the one-stop-shop resource for all information related to the largest solar industry business-to-business event in the U.S. including information about utility specific sessions, exhibitors, sponsorship, and much, much more. Source: SEPA Bi-Weekly News, 1/27/2006.
The latest edition of the California Energy Commissions Guidebook for Emerging Renewables Rebate Program is now available on the CEC website. Also available are updated Forms for that program and for the Pilot Incentive-Based Program. Download the latest Guidebook (Sixth Edition) and the forms at the Consumer Energy Center website. Source: CEC Release, 1/31/2006.
The Geothermal Resources Council has announced a call for papers for their premier 2006 GRC Annual Meeting to be held in San Diego, CA September 10 – 13, 2006, at the Town & Country Resort. The proposed 2006 technical program includes:
The GRC invites you to submit a paper related to one of the above session themes or a technical paper in geothermal research, exploration, development and utilization. Deadline for draft technical papers is April 28, 2006. Additionally, the GRC 2006 National Conference will focus on university student participation, with its new “Year of the Student” program. The GRC is encouraging students in the fields of geology, engineering, and environmental sciences to submit draft papers for consideration by it Technical Program Review Committee. With U.S. Department of Energy assistance, the GRC will offer attendance scholarships to any student whose paper is accepted for presentation, and cash prizes for Best Student Oral and Poster Presentations.
Register now for the three-part geothermal webcast series sponsored by Western Area Power Administration and the Utility Geothermal Working Group. The free teleconferences will cover economics, financing, permitting, transmission, environmental impacts, marketing, case histories, program development and project development for geothermal technologies.
Webcast sponsors include the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CRN Program and the American Public Power Association DEED Program, among others. The topics and dates for the three webcasts are:
Each webcast begins at Noon EST (11 a.m. CST, 10 a.m. MST, 9 a.m. PST) and lasts for 2 ½ hours, including at least 30 minutes of questions and answers.
Participation is limited to the first 40 utilities that register. To register, email Debbie Rock. There is no charge for participation. About a week before each webcast, registrants will receive via email the dial-in instructions and the presentation file to follow during the webcast. Questions? Contact Guy Nelson, UGWG Team Leader.
Tucked away in the woods near Tahoe City, Calif., more than 150 decision makers from electric and gas utilities and ancillary organizations will gather for the May 3 to 5 for the 26th Utility Energy Forum. Annually since 1981, the forum focuses on how utilities can help customers meet their energy needs with the emphasis on reducing energy consumption and developing renewable energy resources.
This year’s theme is “Best Practices . . . Running Utility Programs more Efficiently, Economically, and Effectively”. Workshops, panels, and breakout sessions will address ways Electric, Gas, and Water Utilities can cut costs and increase productivity AND help their business customers do the same. In keeping with core concept of providing better service to customers, the forum now also includes sessions on how to run utilities better. Register online. Source: Guy Nelson, 2/6/2006.
March 14-16, 2005: National Bioenergy Conference II: Innovations in Restoring Forests and Strengthening Economies. Denver, Colo. Source: Chandra Shah, NREL, 2/7/2006.
Western Area Power Administration, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, along with Colorado Energy Science Center, Colorado Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, SolarBound, Solar Electric Power Association and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Powers America program will be conducting a workshop entitled Under 2 MW Interconnection and Net Metering for Renewables. The workshop will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 8 am- 4 pm at the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association office at 1100 W. 116th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80234. The cost is $15. Please register by February 20, 2006. Form more information, call the workshop line at 303-216-2026 x150 or e-mail CESC.
Announced February 6, the President’s 2007 fiscal year budget request demonstrates continued and growing support for developing the hydrogen economy. This is shown both by increases in the hydrogen program budget and by increases for the Solar America, Biofuels, Wind Energy, FutureGen and Nuclear Hydrogen Initiatives. These advanced energy programs represent an essential group of clean energy technologies that will help achieve the full benefits of using hydrogen.
The $289 million request for hydrogen programs includes an 18 percent increase from the $236 million appropriated by Congress for spending this Fiscal Year. Increases in companion advanced energy programs, mentioned in last week’s State of the Union Address, include 79 percent for the Solar America Initiative, 65 percent for the Biofuels Initiative and 13 percent for the Wind Energy Initiative. FutureGen (clean received $54 million (up 200 percent) and although Nuclear Power 2010 experienced a 25 percent reduction, the new Global Nuclear Energy Partnership ($250 million) was added in the President’s budget.
In the coming months, debate on the budget and eventual appropriations will reveal how robust these requests will be. For the past two years, up to 27 percent of the hydrogen program has been redirected by congressionally identified activities. In addition, the FY07 budget requests only 53 percent ($246 million out of $467 million) of the spending authorized by Congress in the Energy Policy Act. Planned activities recognize the authorization of Title VIII of the Energy Policy Act, but no money was requested to fund activities for Title VII. (Titles VII and VIII are the two main hydrogen titles in the Energy Policy Act.) Source: National Hydrogen Association, 2/9/2006.
President Bush outlined an Advanced Energy Initiative in the 2006 State of the Union Address, with the goal of replacing more than 75 percent of U.S. oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. The Initiative provides for a 22 percent increase in clean energy research at DOE. "America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," said President Bush. "The best way to break this addiction is through technology."
A White House fact sheet on the Initiative gives a preview of the President's proposed budget for 2007, which will include a new $148 million Solar America Initiative to accelerate the development of solar cells. The Solar America Initiative would more than double the funding for research in solar photovoltaic technologies. The budget will also include $44 million for wind energy research, a $5 million increase over this year's funding level.
The President also proposed accelerated research in producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass sources, such as agricultural wastes or switchgrass, with the goal of making such cellulosic ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years. The President's 2007 budget will include $150 million for the effort, an increase of $59 million over this year's funding. Cellulosic ethanol has the potential to displace up to 30 percent of the current fuel use in the United States.
The President's plan also aims to accelerate research in the next generation of battery technology for hybrid vehicles and "plug-in" hybrids, vehicles that can be recharged at night and can run significant distances on electric power only. The 2007 budget will include $30 million to speed the development of this technology. The budget also continues to fund the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, providing $289 million in 2007, an increase of $53 million. Source: EERE Network News, 2/1/2006.
Solar was a big winner in the DOE budget proposal, getting a 78 percent boost from the fiscal 2006 appropriation to $148 million in fiscal 2007. Additionally Bush unveiled the Solar America Initiative that promotes the deployment of 5 to 10 gigawatts of new grid-connected electricity generating capacity by 2015. The Solar Energy Industries Association praised the initiative as the largest funding increase proposal for solar energy R&D. "The increase in the budget represents a reversal of what we've seen over the last 10 years in terms of funding in the sense that funds have up until now been steadily decreasing," said SEIA President Rhone Resch. "This 78 percent increase in the budget will help reverse that trend. We're very encouraged that the administration is prioritizing solar." Source: By Mary O'Driscoll, E&ENews PM, 2/6/2006.
When wind turbines were first built on the Buffalo Ridge in the mid-1990s, area farmers and landowners took ownership. The result was the Ridge Counties Task Force, which has grown to become a 15-county Joint Powers Board that sets policy and promotes renewable energy development in southwest Minnesota.
The board supported the Wind Energy Production Tax established to balance the needs of communities with a policy to encourage renewable energy development, she said. The group has also supported other renewable energy development including ethanol, biodiesel, bio-mass, methane, hydrogen, solar and waste to energy projects and development.
The group found a lack of communication between energy companies and rural areas and opened dialogues on renewable energy issues. Counties involved in the board are mainly located in southwestern Minnesota with one eastern Minnesota county. Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock and Watonwan counties have representatives on the board.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced Community-Based Energy Development programs. The C-BEDs encourage communities to develop their own energy programs. Incentives will be available for over 200 megawatts of small, community-based, wind projects including wind grants with similar incentives for solar and methane digester projects.
Programs like C-BED gives greater ownership to communities and rural areas where most renewable energy sources are grown, produced or available. The West Central Research and Outreach Center's renewable energy center has been instrumental in developing renewable energy research projects for western Minnesota.
The Energy and Environmental Research Center located on the University of North Dakota campus in Grand Forks conducts research, development, demonstration and commercialization at its site. Its research involves an array of renewable energy systems including wind and biomass plus hydrogen development and coal ash. Source: By Carol Stender, Agri News staff writer, 2/6/2006.
On February 13, USDA announced the Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements program for FY 2006.
This year's program includes different deadlines for grants and guaranteed loans. USDA is planning a single grant cycle with an application deadline of May 12, 2006.
Half of the Section 9006 funding will be set aside for guaranteed loans. Unlike the grant program, USDA will issue guaranteed loans on a rolling basis based on successful applications. The application deadline for guaranteed loans is July 3, 2006. Any guaranteed loan funds not obligated by August 1, 2006 will be available for the grant program.
Applicants should pay careful attention to application requirements and scoring criteria. A sample application template is available to help prepare applications. Key: USDA expects applicants to tab, number and provide supporting documentation for all evaluation criteria. Also key: funding is contingent on satisfying environmental requirements and demonstrating technical feasibility.
Clean energy projects are featured in this year’s value-added producer grant program (Section 6401 of the Farm Bill).
The deadline to submit final applications is March 31, 2006 and $19.5 million is available to fund grants and loans. These grants may be used for feasibility analyses, business and marketing plans, getting legal advice, and for working capital.
The USDA has announced a preference for renewable energy projects. In the past, this program has funded a wide array of projects, such as biodiesel, ethanol, biogas, wind, solar and more.
A new report by the Energy Foundation recommends a series of federal and state policy changes that would enable America's farmers and others to provide a significant share of the nation's energy needs, help rescue a struggling rural economy and improve the environment. According to the new report, "The New Harvest," all regions of the country could benefit by processing more biofuels and by developing wind energy.
The Energy Foundation projects that biofuels, including ethanol from corn stover, wheat straw, grasses and other sources of cellulose, could largely replace gasoline in the vast majority of cars by 2050 — if policies are put into place now. Wind power, at costs competitive with coal and natural gas electricity, could provide 10 percent of U.S. power supplies by 2020. Farm energy advocates will find many useful resources in this report.
Farm Bill clean energy programs were heavily cut in the President’s proposed budget for FY2007. These cuts come as the programs enjoy increasing popularity among Americans seeking to build the farm energy future. We all need to work in the next weeks and months to restore funding to these important farm energy programs.
The Section 9006 renewable energy/energy efficiency project program was cut to $10.2 million, down by 56 percent from the 2006 funding of $23 million. The Section 6401 Value-Added Producer Program was cut by nearly 50 percent to $20.3 million, from the Farm Bill’s authorized level of $40 million. Once, again, there is no funding for the Section 9005 clean energy audit and assessment program.
The cuts also hit other Farm Bill clean energy development programs, and the biomass/bioenergy programs in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
We welcomed the President’s comments in his State of the Union address emphasizing the role of agriculture in helping to solve the nation’s energy crisis. The federal budget now needs to reflect the President’s words with the investments necessary to transform vision into reality. Source: Environmental Law & Policy Center, 2/10/2006.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests applications for University Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics R&D. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to reducing the amount of raw materials to produce PV cells and modules, improving the efficiency of commercially manufactured PV crystalline silicon cells, and reducing the costs to fabricate/manufacture PV. $5 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 5/30/06. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# DE-PS36-06GO96015. Source: Grants.gov, 1/30/06
The California Energy Commission requests proposals for Quantifying the Performance of Dairy Biogas Power Systems. Work will focus on quantifying, through a combination of field and laboratory studies, the technical and environmental performances of CA dairy power systems including manure and effluent handling, anaerobic digestion, and biogas-to-electricity generation processes. Five sites currently containing operational dairy power systems in CA will be studied. Notice of intent to bid due 3/13/06, final proposals due 3/27/06. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# 500-05-503.
The El Paso Electric Company has issued an RFP for diverse renewable energy resources to meet the requirements of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Act and RPS requirements commencing January 2008. Notice of intent to bid due 2/7/06, final proposals due 3/29/06. More information is available online, or contact Paul Garcia.
Idaho Power Company has released a draft RFP for Geothermal Power Generation. The final RFP expected to be issued in early February 2006 with proposals due in April 2006. More information is available online. Source: Green Power Network, 1/18/06
Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo TX, seeks to lower its electric power expenses and its building operating costs while also providing environmental benefits, improving air quality, and advancing other Air Force goals and objectives. Goodfellow AFB is interested in hearing from developers, financiers, utility companies and electric power industry participants for the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and ownership of a photovoltaic system capable of generating approximately one (1) megawatt of peak electrical energy. Responses due 2/24/06. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# FA3030-SS-06-024. Source: FBO, 1/26/06
The U.S. Department of Energy requests applications for R&D projects focused on advancing fuel cell technology towards the 2010 technical performance and cost targets.
The technologies must be scalable to be suitable across the spectrum of vehicle platforms. Seven topics and multiple subtopic areas of interest areas are identified which include, but not limited to: Innovative Fuel Cell Concepts and Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration. Up to $100 million expected to be available to distribute between this solicitation and the National Laboratory Fuel Cell solicitation listed below. Letters of intent due 2/28/06, proposals due 4/5/06. More information is available online or contact fuelcells@go.doe.gov. Refer to Sol# DE-PS36-06GO96017. Source: Grants.gov, 1/25/06
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for R&D of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cell technologies for automotive and stationary applications. The focus of the R&D is on advancing fuel cell technology towards the 2010 technical performance and cost targets as outlined online.
The primary organization submitting proposals must be a National Laboratory, however, labs may team with industrial and/or academic organizations or other labs as appropriate. Up to $100 million expected to be available to distribute between this solicitation and the Fuel Cell R&D solicitation listed above. Letters of Intent due 2/28/06, final proposals due 4/5/06. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# DE-PS36-06GO96018. Source: Grants.gov 1/24/06
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Broad Agency Announcement for planning, arranging, administering, and conducting conferences, workshops, and meetings in the areas of 1) EPA mission related issue, 2) Advancing research that promotes environmental protection, 3) Exploring issues of importance to environmental protection, and 4) Encouraging collaboration among the nation's best scientists and engineers in academia, business and nonprofit research institutes. $750K expected to be available, 25 awards anticipated.
Conference funding decisions will be made on a quarterly basis. This BAA will remain open until 1/18/07. For more info, contact Michael Bender. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# EPA-OSA-ORD-0601. Source: Grants.gov 1/18/06
The U.S. Department of Energy requests applications for High Efficiency Clean Combustion projects. Work should focus on increasing transportation efficiency and performance and reducing emissions. Areas of interest include: 1) Advanced Start-of-Combustion Sensor, and 2) Fuels, Fuel Additives, and Lubricant Formulations. $2 million expected to be available, 4 to 8 projects anticipated. Innovative companies that either supply major engine manufacturers or support major oil companies are especially encouraged to apply. Responses due 3/16/06.
More information is available online or contact Andrea Gyor. Refer to Sol# DE-PS26-06NT42718-00. Source: Grants.gov, 1/26/06
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regions 9 and 10 request applications for work that demonstrates new, innovative or experimental approaches to reducing diesel emissions as part of the West Coast Collaborative. Projects may include, but are not limited to emissions reduction solutions such as add-on technology, engine replacement, idle reduction technologies or strategies, or cleaner fuel use. Cleaner fuel use may include, but is not limited to, renewable fuel types such as biodiesel, bio-methane made from animal waste, and ethanol from crops, as well as electricity, natural gas (including LNG and CNG), hydrogen and early introduction of low or ultra-low sulfur diesel. $3 million expected to be available, up to 12 awards anticipated. Proposals must benefit Region 9 or 10 (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, federally recognized tribes in these areas, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, Guam). Responses due 3/23/06.
Contact Peter Murchie. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# EPA-R10-WCC-2006. Source: Grants.gov, 1/24/06
U.S. Department of Energy requests applications from U.S. universities to host a new Center for Riparian and Coastal Ecosystems, as part of the new DOE National Institute for Climatic Change Research (formerly National Institute for Global Environmental Change). Responses due 4/18/06.
Contact Lori Jernigan. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# DE-FG02-06ER06-08. Source: Grant.gov, 1/13/06
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 requests proposals for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Projects that address any of five priority areas including but not limited to the IAQ Tools for Schools program and general IAQ training, education, and outreach. Projects must be performed in AK, ID, OR and/or WA. $170K expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Responses due 3/24/06.
Contact Susan Titus. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# EPA-R10-IAQ-01-06. Source: Grants.gov, 1/25/06
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests applications to provide technical assistance for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. The successful applicant would be responsible for work including, but not limited to, the implementation of one hundred EQIP Irrigation Water Management Plans for participants located in Adams and Grant Counties in the State of Washington. $2.67 million expected to be available, one award anticipated. Responses due 2/13/06.
More information is available online. Refer to Sol# NRCS-02-WA-06. Source: Grants.gov 1/24/06
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests applications to establish a national Tribal Water Program Council. The TWPC will work to raise awareness on water related issues pertaining to the health of tribal communities and the quality of tribal aquatic resources and watersheds. $800K expected to be available, one award anticipated. Responses due 3/10/06.
Contact Karen Rudek at 202-564-0472. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# EPA-OW-IO-06-01. Source: Grants.gov 1/23/06
The U.S. Department of Interior requests proposals for the Water Conservation Program in the Yuma, AZ service area. This program funds water management and conservation plans; encourages and promotes implementation of water efficiency measures; demonstrate conservation technologies; and promotes and supports water education. $175K expected to be available, 3 to 5 awards anticipated. Responses due 3/31/06.
Contact Brenda Murray at 702-293-8570. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# 06SF340003. Source: Grants.gov, 1/19/06
The U.S. Department of Agriculture request proposals for the Conservation Innovation Grant Program in Tennessee. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate agriculture-related conservation, environmental enhancement and protection. CIG funds innovative on- the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Areas of interest include, but are not limited toefficient irrigation, carbon-sequestration in soil, and bio-based energy opportunities. Applications are accepted from eligible entities located in the state of TN. $300K expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Responses due 4/28/06.
Contact John Rissler. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# USDA-GRANTS-744741. Source: Grants.gov, 1/30/06
The U.S. Department of Agriculture request proposals for the Conservation Innovation Grant Program in Texas. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate agriculture-related conservation, environmental enhancement and protection. CIG funds innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Areas of interest include but are not limited to efficient irrigation, carbon-sequestration in soil, and bio-based energy opportunities. Applications are accepted from eligible entities located in the state of TX. $300K expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Proposals due 3/31/06.
More information is available online. Refer to Sol# USDA-GRANTS-7442-0001. Sources: Grants.gov 1/13/06
The California Energy Commission seeks a contractor or team of contractors to perform specific tasks related to California-Mexico border energy issues. This contract will require an expertise in specific energy-related meeting facilitation with the Mexican Government and industry, fuel efficiency and alternative fuels transportation issues, natural gas and transmission line issues, and emission credit training issues and renewable energy development issues in the California-Mexico border region. Responses due 3/27/06.
More information is available online. Refer to Sol# #600-05-601.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 request proposals for the Source Reduction Grants Program. This program supports promotion of green building for residential construction, assistance to Tribal and Island Governments to implement pollution prevention programs, and reduction of priority chemicals. Projects must be carried out in Region 9 which includes CA, AZ, NV, HI, U.S. territories in the Pacific, and the 146 federally-recognized tribes in the Region. $175K expected to be available, up to 5 awards anticipated. Response due 3/15/06.
Contact Jessica Counts. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# EPA-R9-WST7-06-006. Source: Grants.gov, 1/31/06
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance seeks a marketing and communications contractor to design and execute a stakeholder outreach project. Letters of intent due 2/6/06, final proposals due 3/1/06. More information is available online.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requests Phase II proposals from FY05 Small Business Innovation Research Program/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Awardees. $85 million expected to be available, up to 115 awards anticipated. Responses due 4/17/06.
Contact Julie Scott. More information is available online. Refer to Sol# DE-FG02-06ER06-09. Source: Grants.gov, 1/18/06
The National Science Foundation has issued numerous requests for proposals in areas including but not limited too: Ceramics, Metals, Biological Oceanography, Material Design and Thermodynamics. Due dates vary by program area, many program areas have multiple due dates. More information is available online.
Entergy is accepting applications for the 2006 Environmental Stewardship Program, for community-based projects that address energy efficiency and local environmental needs. Projects must be in Entergy service areas including AR, LA, MS, MA, NH, NY, TX and VT. Up to $250K expected to be available, award range generally $5K to $25K. Responses due 3/10/06.
More information is available online. Source: Philanthropy News Digest, 2/1/06
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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