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Who's Offering Green Tags
NREL has compiled a comprehensive listing of green tag certificate product offerings. See the list and other green power information at the NREL web site: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/certificates.shtml#gcertTable. Source: e-mail from Larry Flowers 8/20/2002.
L.A. Could Use Plant Proceeds for Clean Energy
Los Angeles city council president Alex Padilla and two board members recently tabled a proposal to funnel $95 million from the sale of the city's interest in a coal-fired power plant toward renewable energy projects. Saying the move would reduce regional pollution by 2.13 pounds of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour, Padilla and council members Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel proposed last week that the council earmark the new money for solar and wind energy plants. The city is selling half of its 20 percent interest in the Mojave Power Plant outside Laughlin, NV, as a result of a federal clean-up order. The council had originally approve a full divestiture, but reconsidered due to concerns about meeting the city's electricity demands. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which will make the final decision on use of the funds, has been criticized recently for what city controller Laura Chick described earlier this year as a failure to implement significant clean-power projects despite spending $120 million in Green Power program funds. Padilla said that with $95 million, the department could fund enough wind and solar projects to power all the homes in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and Santa Monica. LADWP chief administrator Frank Salas said the agency will have to determine whether such energy sources would be reliable and cost-efficient enough to warrant the investment. Source: Los Angeles Daily News 10/12/2002 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 10/17/2002.
City Utilities Resist Green Power
Despite vocally supporting renewable energy, city-run electric utilities and special districts don't want to be forced to follow the same green power standards as their for-profit counterparts. "The fact is, they are not pulling their weight when it comes to promoting renewables, and they benefit as much as anyone else from the clean air," said Nancy Rader, a longtime Bay Area energy consultant. If the trend continues, power production nationwide could create more pollution and be more vulnerable to price swings, according to backers of "green" power sources such as wind, solar and landfill gas.
That risk arises because municipally owned utilities long have faced less state regulation than their for-profit counterparts, and they've jealously guarded that status. In Washington, D.C., government-run and cooperative utilities have successfully lobbied to be excluded from a proposed 10 percent renewable-power standard being considered as part of a federal energy bill. In California, municipal utilities, irrigation districts and rural electrical cooperatives won exemptions from the 20 percent renewable-power quota set by a new state law. From Connecticut to Texas, the story is the same. Municipal utilities lobby aggressively to be excluded from statewide quotas for green power purchases. Almost always, they succeed. "It frustrates me when environmental groups and the Green Party just sort of blindly support public power and assume it's going to be cleaner," said Julia Levin, California policy coordinator for the Union of Concerned Scientists. "It isn't necessarily."
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District was virtually alone among public power institutions willing to give even qualified support to a statewide green-power standard when the Legislature debated it this summer. Most of California's municipal utilities "went ballistic" when they were included in an early draft of the state's renewable-portfolio bill, Levin said. Ultimately, all that survived was a requirement for municipal utilities to set some kind of renewable standard of their own -- even if it's zero. Municipal and cooperative utilities say they deserve special treatment because they are owned by their customers. The types of generation used by such utilities -- and the possible trade-off of higher rates -- should be left to local voters, they say. "The primary reason why municipal utilities in particular have done relatively well throughout the Western energy crisis has been local control," said Joe Nipper, a vice president of the American Public Power Association. By contrast, for-profit utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. long have been overseen by state regulators who set rules for their behavior and limits on their rates. When a new program is imposed on them, investor-owned utilities can pass along the costs, and often an added profit, in the rates they charge. That may give them less incentive to fight green-power edicts, said S. David Freeman, chairman of the state Power Authority, and a longtime advocate of renewable power.
Freeman, who has headed SMUD, Los Angeles' city utility and the Tennessee Valley Authority, said many municipal utilities see lower rates as their main contribution to their communities and fiercely cling to their independence. "If you have an almost religious belief in low-cost energy, to the extent that renewable power is more costly, it gives you more resistance," he said. "Is their attitude on this stuff smart? No. Is it right? No," Freeman said, but "it's inbred." Despite the resistance to mandates, the various utilities, broadly known as "munis," have made significant strides in promoting energy efficiency and clean, renewable electricity, according to both municipal-and green-power advocates. As a group, city-run utilities today have slightly more wind power, solar power and other small renewable resources, per gigawatt-hour produced, than the nation's for-profit utilities, data from the American Public Power Association, or APPA, shows Santa Clara's city utility is perhaps the cleanest large-to mid-size electricity supplier in California, relying heavily on geothermal power, according to a survey by the Los Angeles-based Clean Air Coalition. SMUD has given itself a tough 2011 deadline to buy or produce 20 percent of its power from non-hydroelectric renewable resources, up from about 10 percent to 12 percent now -- although the goal may be revisited. But such utilities are the bright side of what can be a very dark coin. Nationwide, municipal utilities and co-ops use vast amounts of coal, which burns dirtier than natural gas. Such fuel choices are felt beyond any one utility's borders because polluted air often drifts far from the source. In addition, city-run utilities have fallen behind their for-profit counterparts in promoting some types of conservation, the APPA says. And the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power -- the nation's biggest city-run utility -- is also one of the dirtiest electric utilities in California, relying heavily on coal power it imports from Nevada and Utah. Half the electricity that Los Angeles buys or generates comes from burning coal, and only 2 percent comes from small renewable resources, largely geothermal and biomass.
The city, which promotes its solar-power and green-energy programs vociferously, is working on setting renewable-power goals, possibly sometime next year, so it can be "the cleanest utility possible," spokesman Walter Ziesl said. How close LADWP comes to 20 percent -- while being exempted from the legal mandate -- remains to be seen. Clean-air advocates hope they can lobby the city to keep pace with new state standards, but others note that Los Angeles is sharply below the statewide average of about 12 percent renewable power. "They talk a good game, but it's all about results," said Matt Freedman, a utility-consumer attorney and green-power advocate. "And that's what we're waiting to see." The same wait could be repeated nationwide, if renewable-portfolio standards continue to march across the country and muni power continues to be exempted. "Given how it's going,... they're going to be browner, and the investor-owned utilities will be greener," said energy consultant Rader. Source: The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via Energy Central 10/16/2002.
APPA Shades of Green Report
To obtain a more balanced look at green power in the public power sector, you can download the American Public Power Association (APPA) shades of green report among other public power environmental and green power news and information from the APPA web site at: http://www.appanet.org/legislativeregulatory/environment/environmentpublicpower.htm. Source: Michael J. Hyland, PE, Director of Engineering Services, American Public Power Association, (202) 467-2986,
(202) 467-2992 FAX, mhyland@APPAnet.org
For more information: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/ or http://www.nwlink.com/~van/greenlnk.html
Governor Announces $17 Million For Five State Wind Farms -- 315 Megawatts of New Capacity
Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide more than $17 million to support the development of five wind farms throughout upstate New York. The wind farms will add 315 megawatts of electric capacity to the power grid without contributing any emissions. The total value of the five wind farms is estimated at more than $375 million. Local land owners and municipalities in the primarily rural areas of the State where the farms will be developed will benefit economically through new jobs and direct payments for land leases to accommodate the wind turbines. "These wind farms and our aggressive approach to developing indigenous renewable resources are emblematic of New York State's commitment to protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources for future generations," Governor Pataki said. "Clean energy technologies like wind farms will help New York State and the nation accommodate the growing demand for electricity in an environmentally responsible manner that avoids air pollution. Wind power has the added benefit of diversifying the energy mix that powers the Empire State and boosting energy security by reducing our need for imported energy." Once operational, the five wind farms will generate enough electricity to power as many as 315,000 homes. At the same time, the wind farms will avoid annual emissions of more than 650 tons of nitrogen oxides, 1,300 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide; or about the equivalent of removing 80,000 cars from the State's roadways.
With most of these projects, there is the potential to expand the sites to add a total of more than 100 megawatts of additional capacity in the future. NYSERDA President William M. Flynn said, "New York State can potentially develop thousands of megawatts of wind power within our borders, and these projects represent a significant step in that direction. These new wind farms may also help State-owned facilities comply with Governor Pataki's executive order for procuring 10 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2005 and 20 percent by 2010." State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, "New York State is a national leader in the development and use of clean energy technologies, helping to reduce pollution, improve air quality and protect public health and our environment. The effort to support wind farms is another example of Governor Pataki's commitment to increasing New York's use of renewable energy, which is essential to making significant reductions in harmful emissions." PSC Chairman Maureen O. Helmer said, "These green energy projects are the kinds of positive initiatives the Commission contemplated in approving the Systems Benefits Charge to jump start renewable investment in the energy sector. All New Yorkers win because such projects attract investment in the State, add significantly to our energy mix while minimizing impacts on our environment, and increase competition in the wholesale market to help hold down wholesale energy prices."
The wind industry is becoming increasingly popular and competitive in New York State. Once constructed, wind turbines have very little impact on existing land use practices and can readily co-exist with dairy and other farming activities in the predominantly rural communities where they are being constructed. As evidence of the growing interest in wind in New York, the five projects receiving funding were selected through a competitive process that saw nine proposals submitted to NYSERDA by seven different companies seeking to develop more than 450 megawatts of new wind capacity. NYSERDA will award the $17 million pending successful negotiations with each of the 5 developers and upon completion of the site development. The selected projects include:
NYSERDA previously provided $5 million to Canastota Windpower and $2 million to PG&E National Energy Group to construct and operate wind farms in the Towns of Fenner and Madison (Madison County) respectively. These two farms currently generate a total of 41.5 megawatts of electricity, with the farm in the Town of Fenner, which is currently the largest on the East Coast, generating 30 megawatts.
Direct Use Geothermal Projects
"Adventures in the Life of a Small Geothermal District Heating Project or 'The Little Project That Could'," by Dale Merrick, I'SOR Inc. A non-profit group of residents in northeastern California install geothermal to power their community buildings. The author describes the entire three-year effort including fund-raising, preliminary engineering research, and installation. Detailed case study. Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, September 2002, at http://geoheat.oit.edu/bulletin/bull23-3/art1.pdf. "New Greenhouses in Klamath Falls," by John W. Lund, Geo-Heat Center. The first (50,000 sq. ft.) of four commercial greenhouses is operational; a second is in the construction stage. Case study with excellent detail.
Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, September 2002, at http://geoheat.oit.edu/bulletin/bull23-3/art3.pdf. Source: Energy Newsbriefs 10/7/2002.
Milwaukee-Area Utility to Begin Buying Power from Plant Boosted by Duck Manure
We Energies said it will begin buying power from a facility that will use duck manure to help generate electricity. The step is part of the company's growing renewable energy program. The contract calls for Maple Leaf Farms of Franksville, near Racine County, to build, own and operate the plant, which will produce 200 kilowatts of electricity. That's enough to power about 75 homes. The plant began producing electricity this summer, We Energies said. The deal will help Wisconsin Energy Corp., the parent of We Energies, comply with a state mandate that utilities generate a small percentage of their power using renewable energy.
State laws require that by 2011, Wisconsin utilities begin generating 2.2 percent of their power using renewable energy sources. The laws require that the utilities continuously boost their use of renewable sources gradually, said Annemarie Newman, a spokeswoman for the state Public Service Commission. "The energy generated by this project will help us achieve the goals we recently set as part of our renewable energy program, which is to have at least 5 percent of our electric energy sales coming from renewable sources by 2011," said Chris Iglar, a We Energies spokesman. "That's more than double the state's requirement." Iglar said the company also plans to spend an another $6 million annually over 10 years to reach its renewable energy target. Duck manure contains methane, which is also found in natural gas. Maple Leaf Farms will store manure in a barn-like facility called digester, which captures the methane that the manure release as it decomposes.
Capturing methane from animal waste has both environmental and aesthetic benefits. Methane is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. We Energies already purchases electricity from a similar plant in Wrightstown, near Kaukauna. But that plant -- Tinedale Farms -- uses cow manure instead of duck manure. The electricity generated from the duck farm will provide part of the generation mix used to provide power in the We Energies territory, which covers more than a million electric customers and about 970,000 natural gas customers throughout Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Altogether, We Energies said, it is generating 140 megawatts of power via renewable energy. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via Energy Central 10/16/2002.
Arizona Public Service Grows Solar Power Plants
Crops of mirrors, reflectors and photovoltaic panels are springing up in a field near Prescott. One day it will be one of the largest solar power plants in the world, generating enough electricity to power more than 3,000 homes. Arizona Public Service Company plans to have 1.5 megawatts in production by early next year and 5.5 megawatts in three to five years. In Arizona, a megawatt can light between 500 and 700 homes, depending on use. "That's an impressive project," said Paul Fenn, director of Local Power in San Francisco. "The largest single plant in California is about 1 megawatt." Fenn is the author of San Francisco's Proposition H, an initiative approved by voters in November 2001 that will use bond financing to install 50 megawatts of solar generation on the city's rooftops. Herb Hayden, director of APS' Solar energy program, said the large plant and economies of scale will bring down the cost of generating the power. One of the chief arguments against solar power has been that it costs almost twice as much to generate as conventional electricity.
Hayden believes the solar plants will eventually break even. APS has been able to close the gap by selling the power at a premium through its Solar Partners Program. Under the program, nearly 3,000 APS customers pay a $2.65 monthly premium for 15-kilowatt-hour blocks of renewable power. Because the solar power flows onto the grid, it can't actually be delivered to the partners. But they have the satisfaction of knowing the power they purchased displaced power generated from less environmentally friendly means somewhere in the system. "It doesn't cover the costs, but it shows the product has value," Hayden said. He said the 50-acre site near the Prescott airport was selected because of the cool temperatures, clear skies and good sunlight exposure. Hayden explained that the photovoltaic panels that turn sunlight into electricity are more productive in cooler temperatures and away from the Valley haze. Hayden said APS would utilize state-of-the-art technology at the site. The "high-concentration" technology employs arrays of mirrors to focus sunlight on the solar panels. Much of the technology has been perfected by APS at its STAR facility in Tempe, Hayden said. About half of the 50-acre site will be covered with solar panels. The silicon panels create electricity by converting photons into electrons.
The photovoltaic system contrasts with older "trough" technology that uses sunlight to create steam to drive turbines. The Prescott plant is one of eight such projects, including a smaller 228.5-kilowatt plant at another location in Prescott. Other plants are in Tempe, Flagstaff, Yuma, Scottsdale, Glendale and Gilbert. The plants produce almost 1.7 megawatts of electricity. Hayden said APS has committed to spend $12 million a year on its solar program through at least 2004. That's when the Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to review the program's progress. Much of the cost is covered through a surcharge on electric bills that ranges from about 35 cents per month for residential customers to $39 per month for the largest industrial users. The surcharge generates about $20 million per year. APS isn't building the solar plants purely on its own volition. Under an Environmental Portfolio Standard approved by the commission in 2000, APS and other investor-owned utilities must derive 1 percent of the electricity they sell to customers from renewable resources by 2005 and 1.1 percent by 2007. Salt River Project is not regulated by the commission and has its own solar program. This year, the regulated utilities will have to obtain 0.4 percent of their power from renewable resources. For APS, that amounts to about 25 megawatts. APS must make up the difference between the solar power it generates and the required amount by purchasing hydro and wind power from other producers. Source: The Arizona Republic, October 7, 2002, by Max Jarman via IREC / MSR Newsletter 10/17/2002.
CPUC Approves Plans For 162-MW Wind Farm
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved a measure that clears the way for what will become the third-largest wind farm in the United States, a 162-megawatt facility to be located near the town of Lamar, CO. The commission granted approval for a contract between the companies that will build the wind farm -- Xcel Energy and GE Wind. GE Wind was created when GE Power Systems bought Enron Wind Corporation -- the original sponsor of the project -- from Enron Corporation, which is in bankruptcy proceedings. John Nielsen, director of the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, praised the CPUC decision, saying the project will save ratepayers nearly $7 million a year and help protect them from volatile natural gas prices. "Not only will the wind farm save ratepayers a lot of money, but it will also reduce air pollutants, water use impacts, and it will have real economic developments for the area," said Nielsen. The Land and Water Fund estimates the new facility will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region by 245,000 tons per year. CPUC approved the contract after it determined that energy from the facility would be cost-competitive with fossil-fueled plants. Source: Pueblo Cheiftain 10/16/2002 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 10/18/2002.
Orlando, Fla., Doctor's House Runs on Energy from Solar Panels
The electricity that cools and lights Orlando homes comes from two very different sources: a massive coal-fired plant and the roof of a retired doctor. Bob Stonerock captures the sun's rays with dozens of panels mounted on his spacious home in a south Orlando neighborhood. He generates a tiny bit of electricity -- worth about $50 a month -- that feeds into the city's power grid. The cash isn't what matters to the 55-year-old kidney specialist, who is on a personal crusade against generating plants that burn coal. Among the 170,000 residential and commercial customers of Orlando's. electric utility, Stonerock is the only one who both buys and supplies voltage. He describes the $50,000 he put into solar power as an investment in the environment. "We're putting too much garbage into the air," said Stonerock, who opened his home Wednesday to tours by neighbors and environmental activists. "We refuse to take into account how much harm we do to the planet." "I'm putting my money where my mouth is." Just how much power plants, including OUC's generator in east Orange County, hurt the planet has been debated for years. Yet even the administration of President George Bush, regarded by many as unfriendly to the environment, recently acknowledged that global warming is caused in part by pollution from coal, gasoline and other fossil fuels.
The average global temperature this year is on track to be the second hottest on record behind the mark set in 1998. One solution, say activists such as Greenpeace's Karl Riber of Orlando, is to embrace the clean and plentiful energy of the sun. "Florida is going to be more severely affected than any other state by global warming," said Riber, referring to fears that rising temperatures will lead to rising sea levels.
Yet capturing the sun's rays for home use remains all but unknown in the state. "The average consumer doesn't want to be bothered," said David Block, director of the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa.
Others say the relatively cheaper electricity provided by utilities doesn't take into account all environmental costs and health care expenses for illnesses triggered by air pollution. "It's really not fair," said Stephen Smith, director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in Tennessee. Nearly a dozen homes in New Smyrna Beach have been equipped with solar systems as part of an incentive program set up by the local utility. But among homeowners in Florida and perhaps much of the Southeast, Stonerock has established himself as king of the sun, Block said. His system, connected to the city utility six months ago, dwarfs what other homes have installed. The southern face of his roof glitters with 72 panels, each roughly the size of a bath towel. On a sunny or lightly cloudy day, each of those solar collectors generates enough current to light a 60-watt bulb. That's enough power to meet the needs of most homes. But Stonerock's electric demand is large -- he has three air conditioning units, several refrigerators and lights for his nearly 7,000 square feet of living space. Though he calls himself an environmentalist, Stonerock invested well, retired early and doesn't believe he must live in a tiny home and do without luxury. His goal is to enjoy life but cause as little pollution as possible. As a result, he bristles when asked how long his solar equipment will take to pay for itself The answer is 60 years. For last month's electric bill, Stonerock was charged $232. But he managed to sell $59 worth of power back to OUC, reducing his cost to $173.
"I could have put that money into a Lexus," he said. "But the payback period for a Lexus is zero. There isn't one." Source: The Orlando Sentinel via Energy Central Direct 10/18/2002.
For more information on Renewable Resources go to: http://www.eren.doe.gov/repis/
Northwest Green Power Marketing Conference scheduled for November
What motivates customers to sign up for renewable power? How have other utilities resolved billing system bugs? How can we attract more commercial customers to green power programs? The Northwest Green Power Marketing Conference on November 19-20, 2002 in Portland will cover those questions and others facing utilities that have started green power programs or are considering doing so.
"Our goal is to provide helpful advice and ideas that utilities can take home with them," said Charlie Roe at Northwest Public Power Association, one of the conference sponsors. "The conference will give participants a chance to hear from their peers and from outside experts." Topics to be covered at the two-day conference include:
Participants will get perspective from utilities that have faced marketing and logistical challenges and have come up with creative solutions, marketing experts specializing in green power, non-profit organizations working on energy issues, and a commercial customer who is signed up renewable power. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel. For more information on the conference and to register, contact NWPPA at (360) 254-0109 or visit www.nwppa.com/events/ev324_outline.htm?EVID=02-1148. Source: Angela Shutak Northwest SEED-Sustainable Energy for Economic Development 10/18/2002.
Seeking Information about Western
Have you been seeking information about Western Area Power Administration? Western sells power from numerous and different water projects in the central and western United States. Each project has its own rate schedule. Rate information is contained in the Statistical Appendix to Western's Annual Report, which can be found at http://www.wapa.gov/media/pdf/project.pdf. The Statistical Appendix and the Annual Report also contain other financial information pertaining to Western's operations. This information can be obtained in PDF's or HTML respectively from Western's Annual Report URL at: http://www.wapa.gov/media/pdf/annrep01.pdf or http://www.wapa.gov/geninfo/whatwho.htm. Also, see information on Western's Renewable Resources Program at: http://www.es.wapa.gov/renew/. Source: Western Corporate Communications 10/16/2002.
Exelon Leads the Way with Greenhouse Gas Information Management
Exelon Generation, one of the world's largest power producers and wholesaler marketers, has selected ESP's (Environmental Software Providers) Greenhouse Gas Suite� software for management of its greenhouse gas inventory, reduction projects and portfolio information. Exelon has worked along with other companies to help ESP establish a solution that meets its needs. Exelon is leading the way in enterprise greenhouse gas information management, an important aspect of business as companies address climate change initiatives. ESP has provided various software solutions to Exelon since 1996, including its ecoAsset Manager� software which supports the management of the company's SO2 and NOx allowance portfolios. Greenhouse Gas Suite will extend the portfolio management capabilities to greenhouse gas emission reductions. In addition, the software will deliver detailed inventory reports of greenhouse gas emissions and reduction project performance tracking. The system will also support detailed audit and verification requirements. "We are very pleased to be committing to the use of ESP's Greenhouse Gas Suite product," said Tom Sylvester, Senior Engineer for Exelon Power, the company's fossil/hydro generation group. "ESP has a proven track record in environmental data management and demonstrated ability to work closely with industry to deliver best-in-class information management solutions," said Sylvester. "Exelon's current efforts to understand and manage their greenhouse gas position are impressive," said David Gloski, Executive Vice President of ESP. "We feel very fortunate to be working with a company that will help push us to deliver a leading solution for enterprise greenhouse gas information management. In addition to ESP and Exelon, the industry will benefit from the delivery of this solution as it helps shape the tools needed to manage evolving climate change issues and business needs." Exelon is one of a number of companies that have contributed to the initial designs and requirements for ESP's Greenhouse Gas Suite offering. For multinational companies dealing with local country programs addressing climate change, ESP will offer country-specific modules for GHG Suite. The goal is to deliver best-in-class, enterprise-wide, greenhouse gas portfolio management support. Source: ESP News Release http://www.esp-net.com 9/23/2002.
Maybe you could create that [solar hot water] system yourself -- but why?
Homeowners often think that because solar water heating systems are so simple, they must be simple to build. Although there are many companies and organizations that sell or give away plans for building solar water heaters, I don't recommend that homeowners do this, even if they are handy, have lots of tools and so much spare time that they don't know what to do with it. Solar water heating systems have been studied for so long by researchers and manufactured and improved for so long by the industry that the products on the market today have been proved reliable, efficient and cost-effective for many years. The systems are simple because the principle behind them is simple, but the products and materials used today are tested, approved and guaranteed to give the best performance. Pioneer days: During the 1800s, when American settlers moved westward to begin new lives across the country, they often left black-painted pans filled with water on the backs of their covered wagons. During the day as they traveled, this water would be heated by the sun, and would be available in the evening for cooking, bathing and other uses. That is essentially how a solar water heater in the 21st century works. In a commercial system such as the ones sold today, one or more solar collectors are mounted on the roof of a home. Inside the collectors are dark-colored pipes. A pump forces water through the pipes, and when the sunshine hits the collectors, the water inside the pipes is heated. A glass covering over the collector helps keep the heat inside.
This heated water then flows into the storage tank in the home and is there when you need it. It couldn't be any easier than this. To see for yourself how the principle works, leave a garden hose outside on a hot day, and then run water through it. The water that comes out will be hot, just as it would be hot if the hose were inside a solar collector. Solar products that are sold commercially use equipment and materials that have been improved through the years to provide a long life (often 15 to 20 years, though many systems have operated much longer than this) and reliable performance. Some states mandate that an agency test and certify solar equipment and affix a certification label with information on the system's expected performance. There is also a national organization, the Solar Rating & Certification Corp., that conducts testing programs and provides information to help you determine the best system for your home. Many states require this national SRCC label before systems can be sold.
Added value: So what do you get when you buy a system rather than make your own? You get one that has quality components, has met state or national certification requirements, carries a warranty and, maybe most important, will be installed by an expert. The quality of installation of a solar water heating system will greatly affect the operation of that system. Many field studies through the years have found that systems not performing properly have often been poorly installed. Relocating a valve or adjusting a controller has gotten many systems back online quickly. To help ensure the quality of system installation, many states require special solar contractor licenses. Although plumbers and other trades-people often have experience with similar systems, the training required to become a licensed solar contractor or technician helps ensure that the system will be installed the right way. If your state doesn't require such a specialized license, I recommend that you discuss the experience of plumbers and other contractors with solar-system installation to assure that they are knowledgeable about solar systems before you hire them.
Finally, there are many state tax credits, utility rebates and other incentives available around the country that help bring the price of a solar water heating system down to the point at which you couldn't build your own for much less. I think you're a lot better off buying an approved system from a company that will install it properly and stand behind its performance with a strong warranty. Source: Ken Sheinkopf is associate director for the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, Fla. For more information on energy efficiency, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu via Solar e-Clips 10/17/2002.
Beyond Fossil Fuels - Power Lunch with Executives and Environmentalists
This is an excerpt from an article entitled "Beyond Fossil Fuels - Power Lunch with Executives and Environmentalists." David Freeman: With regard to natural gas-quite frankly, I'm still with Jimmy Carter, who said that if you take a long enough view, it probably will go down in history that we were barbaric to burn up all this natural gas just to make electricity. I'm not sanguine about what the supply and demand of natural gas, over the next 20 years, is going to be. I think we're in for some real price spikes. I also want to comment on the role of wind power. I, too, think it's a huge opportunity, but we probably aren't focusing it as well as we could. The point about beginning in earnest with a move toward the hydrogen economy has to be taken seriously. Right now, Unfortunately, in California, the wind doesn't blow when the peak loads occur. It's real I'm negotiating power contracts. This afternoon, I'm working on a wind project.
¶ Hot on summer afternoons because the wind doesn't blow. We need to begin to match wind power with electrolysis plants, in order to use wind power around the clock to produce hydrogen. All this enthusiasm for wind power is a wonderful opportunity to get the hydrogen economy started. But I don't see that happening. To see the full article, go to: http://www.californiasolarcenter.org/solareclips/2002.10/20021015-9.html. Source: Solar e-Clips 10/15/2002.
NWCC Workshop on Renewable Energy Credits - November 7-8, 2002
An upcoming workshop and forum on Renewable Energy Credits and Emission Reduction Markets will take place November 7-8, 2002 in Chicago, IL. The event is being coordinated by the Credit Trading Forum Planning Group of the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC). Co-sponsors for the event include the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the Emissions Marketing Association, the Center for Resource Solutions, Green Mountain Energy, Inc., the Utility Wind Interest Group, the Alliance of Energy Suppliers, and Community Energy, Inc. The NWCC identifies issues that affect the use of wind power, establishes dialogue among key stakeholders, and catalyzes activities to support the development of an environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial market for wind power. Formed in 1994, the NWCC is a collaborative endeavor that includes representatives from electric utilities and their support organizations; state legislatures; state utility commissions; consumer advocacy offices; wind equipment suppliers and developers; green power marketers; environmental organizations; and local, regional, tribal, state, and federal agencies. The members of the Credit Trading Planning Group are representative stakeholders from around the country. This workshop will bring together air and energy regulators with representatives from utilities, wind technology firms, and other interested parties to discuss how these entities can take advantage of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) in the current emissions reduction market. Specifically, this workshop seeks to:
More information on the workshop, including the agenda, registration form, and general information on Renewable Energy Credits and emission markets, is available at www.nationalwind.org. Source: E-mail from Lori Bird, NREL, 10/17/2002.
For more information on Educational Resources go to: http://www.thegateway.org
FERC Approves Key Provisions of SeTrans and WestConnect RTOs
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced on October 9 that it has conditionally approved key provisions of the proposed SeTrans regional transmission organization (RTO). FERC stated that the proposal complies with the commission's criteria for governance structure, transmission pricing policy, business model, and independent system administrator selection process. Once approved, SeTrans will include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas; it is scheduled to begin operation in 2004. FERC also preliminarily approved the proposed WestConnect RTO, which covers parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The plans for governance structure, use of a grid charge to recover operations, ancillary service, and means for addressing parallel path flows were conditionally approved or approved. In addition, FERC provided the organization with guidance on its market monitoring proposal and suggested that the participants devise a congestion management plan that does not create artificial seams between itself other western RTOs.
Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission News Release, October 9, 2002 via AWEA Electricity Restructuring Weekly Update 10/11/2002.
Electric Co-ops Object to Energy Bill Pending in U.S. House
Energy legislation pending in the U.S. House would create substantially higher electric rates for millions of rural customers, Glenn English, chief executive of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, said Tuesday. The Republican-led House and the Democrat-controlled Senate have been unable to agree on an energy bill, which has been stalled by disputes over electricity. "We are the ones holding it up," English said after speaking to NRECA members meeting in Tulsa this week.
http://hsweb01.screamingmedia.com/PMA/pma_newsarticle1_krt.htm?SMDOCID=knightridder_2002_10_16_krtbn_0000-0193-TU-ENERGY-BILL&SMContentSet=0. Source: PowerMarketers.com 10/16/2002.
Fuels Agreement Coalition Will Continue to Push for Action As Congress Plans to Recess
Even as Congress plans to recess until after the November elections, the coalition supporting the comprehensive fuels agreement vowed to continue pushing the legislation as part of a comprehensive energy bill. Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund government operations through November 22nd. Prior to then, Congress must reconvene to pass either the necessary appropriations bills or another continuing resolution. At that time, Congress is likely to also work on other outstanding legislation, including the energy bill. "While we are disappointed Congress failed to act now to address our country's many pressing energy needs, we will not give up the fight to secure ultimate passage of the carefully crafted fuels agreement," said Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association president. "The reasons to pass the fuels agreement - preventing more MTBE water contamination, strengthening clean air regulations, providing refinery flexibility, enhancing U.S. energy security, and boosting rural economic development - will not go away just because Congress has gone home without passing an energy bill. They will only intensify. We certainly believe Congress should, can and will move this legislation yet this year."
The fuels agreement sprang from a historic coalition of environmental and public health groups, state officials, oil refiners, farm organizations, and renewable fuel producers. The agreement calls for a federal ban on MTBE, elimination of the oxygenate requirement for reformulated gasoline, enhanced clean air protections, and establishing a renewable fuels standard (RFS). The RFS would require 2.3 billion gallons of renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, be used nationally in 2004, increasing gradually to 5 billion gallons in 2012. "It's a shame Congress could not complete its work in a timely fashion," added Bob Dinneen. "The oil industry, ethanol industry, environmentalists, and public health advocates all buried the hatchet and worked together on the fuels agreement. This historic agreement enjoys broad bipartisan, bicameral support. The American public deserves an energy bill that reduces our dependence on imported oil. The conference committee needs to finalize this important legislation when Congress returns in November." Source: RFA Release 10/17/2002.
Energy Secretary Abraham Hosts "Renewable Energy Roundtable" in South Dakota
Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today hosted a"Renewable Energy Roundtable" in South Dakota. The Bush Administration's energy policy and the latest developments in the renewable energy fields of biofuels, wind energy, solar energy and electricity generation were discussed during the forum.
Secretary Abraham was joined by Congressman John Thune (R-SD) along with local representatives from the biofuels and ethanol industry, state corn growers association, state rural electrical association, wind energy companies and alternative energy advocates. "President Bush and I are convinced that renewable energies must play a large role in meeting our challenging future energy needs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil," Secretary Abraham said. "For every improvement in renewable energy technology we develop, for every new megawatt of electricity or gallon of alternative fuel that is produced, we make our nation a little more secure." Secretary Abraham highlighted the recent award of $5.4 million to Broin and Associates Inc. of Sioux Falls, S.D. to develop a "Second Generation" dry mill biorefinery pilot project. This effort is a joint research and development project between the Department of Energy and Broin. The company will contribute $5.9 million to this project, bringing the project total to $11.3 million. The pilot project will be located at Broin's biorefinery in Scotland, S.D. "Broin will work in partnership with the Department of Energy to develop and perfect a dry mill biorefinery process with the aim of enhancing the economics of existing ethanol dry mills," Secretary Abraham said. "The end result is not just increased ethanol yields, but more competitive bioproducts such as plastics, paints and adhesives that are today made from petroleum. This can result in more markets for agricultural products, more profits for farmers and enhanced energy security for America." Increasing biomass energy production is a priority of President Bush, as outlined in his National Energy Policy. Biomass is organic matter such as plants and wood that can be used to provide heat, make fuel and generate electricity. Media Contact: Jill Schroeder, 202/586-4940. Source: DOE Release 10/18/2002.
For more information on legislative activities go to: http://thomas.loc.gov
New Mexico PRC Proposes New Schedule for RPS
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has drafted a new plan for the state's renewables portfolio standard (RPS). After evaluating input from stakeholders such as utilities, clean energy coalitions, consumer groups, and rural electric cooperatives, the commission proposed a new schedule that would require utilities to obtain four percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by January 2004, seven percent by January 2007, and ten percent by January 2010. The previous schedule required two percent by 2003, five percent by 2005, and ten percent by 2007. The new draft also dropped a provision from the original plan that obligated rural electric cooperatives to comply with the RPS. Comments on the proposal are due by October 23, and a public comment hearing is scheduled for November 14 in Santa Fe. Source: Albuquerque Journal, October 8, 2002 via AWEA Electricity Restructuring Weekly Update 10/11/2002.
California Renewable Energy Events
The Renewable Energy Program staff have scheduled public workshops in Sacramento to discuss the future implementation of the following program areas on the following dates:
Please read the notice for details. The notice is available on the Renewable Energy Program page which can be found at http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables. Source: E-mail from CEC 10/16/2002.
Poll: Public's Attitude Toward Business Sours
Corporate scandals from Enron and WorldCom to Global Crossing and Adelphia have had a big impact on public attitudes toward top business managers, in general, not just those in the companies under investigation, according to a new national poll conducted by Harris Interactive and released Friday.
It says 87 percent of all adults believe that most top company managers are paid more than they deserve, and that they become rich at the expense of ordinary workers. Most (85 percent) of those who think top managers become rich at the expense of ordinary workers are angry about it, and 46 percent are very angry, the poll says. One major indication that attitudes toward business leaders have become more hostile as a result of the recent scandals is that two-thirds (66 percent) of all adults believe that rewards in the workplace are distributed less fairly today than they were five years ago. While anger at the unfairness of top managers' pay and perks is widespread, it is particularly strong among the 37 percent of the public who say they are worse off today than they were five years ago (34 percent say they are better off and 29 percent say "about the same"). In general the older people are the more likely they are to say they are worse off, and are more likely to feel angrier. This big difference among the different age groups has important political implications, Harris says. Only about a third of all adults will vote in the elections this November, and they will be disproportionately older. Indeed, about half of them will be over 50 (about 80 percent of whom think top managers have become rich at the expense of their employees, and are "angry" about it). The online poll was conducted between Sept. 24 and Oct. 2 among a national sample of 2,023 adults, aged 18 or over. Source: San Jose Business Journal 10/17/2002.
For more information on marketing and research go to: http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/emaa/index.html
DER Advanced Controls and Communications
The U.S. Department of Energy announces its intent to request proposals for integrated demonstration of communication and control solutions that would enable interoperable and integrated operation of large numbers of distributed energy resources (DER) from varying suppliers to achieve optimization in power quality, power reliability and economic performance. The objective is to demonstrate seamless integration of multi-vendor DER units at aggregation levels that meet individual user requirements for Facility operations (residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, etc.) and further serve as resource options for electric and natural gas utilities. Integrated project teams highly encouraged. $1.2 million available, 4 to 6 cooperative agreements anticipated for Phase 1, 20% cost share required. 3 Phases expected. RFP expected to open 12/1/02 and will then be posted at: http://e-center.doe.gov. For more info, contact Gaile Higashi, DOE, at (630) 252-2383. Refer to Sol# DE-SC02-03CH11139. (FBO 10/11/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
EPA Investigator Initiated Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces the availability of funding for 2003 Investigator Initiated grants. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Technology for a Sustainable Environment (karn.barbara@epa.gov), and Measurement and Modeling and Analysis Methods for Airborne Fine Particulate Matter (winner.darrel@epa.gov). Dates and funding amounts vary by subject. For more info, contact EPA staff via the email addresses listed above. (Federal Register 10/10/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Brownfields Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeks proposals for brownfields assessment, cleanup, cleanup revolving loan funds, and job training. Pre-proposals are required and are due 12/16/02, final proposals due 3/5/03. For more info, call EPA at (800) 424-4EPA or go to:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm#pg. Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Office of Science
The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science announces its continuing interest in receiving grant applications for support of work in areas including but not limited to: Climate Change Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Energy Research Analyses, Materials Sciences and Engineering, Energy Biosciences, and Chemical Sciences. Approx. $400 million expected to be available. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis up to 9/30/03. For more info, go to: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.
(Federal Register 10/17/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Energy Information Administration
The U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration announces its intent to request contract services in areas including but not limited to: Information Management and Product Production; Energy Analysis and Forecasting; and Energy End Use Surveys. The master RFP and individual Program Areas are expected to open on or about 10/31/02 and will be posted at: http://e-center.doe.gov. For more info, contact Steven Patton, DOE, at (202) 426-0065. Refer to DE-RP01-03EI40000.
(FBO 10/18/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Homeland Security
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces the availability of supplemental funding for State and Local all-hazards emergency operational planning ($100 million), Citizen Corps activities ($25 million), and development or improvement of Emergency Operations Centers ($56 million). For more info, contact Gil Jamieson at (202) 646-4090 or e-mail: gil.jamieson@fema.gov. (Federal Register 10/17/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Global Security & Sustainability
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is accepting research and writing grant applications for the Global Security and Sustainability Program. Projects must cover one of two areas, one of which is the impact of technological advances on global security and economic and environmental sustainability. Up to $75K available for individuals and $100K for two collaborators. Applications due 2/3/02. For more info, contact the Foundation at (312) 726-8000 or go to:
http://www.macfound.org. (The Chronicle of Philanthropy 10/17/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Seva Foundation
The Seva Foundation funds projects that involve Native American peoples working to revitalize spiritual and cultural beliefs/practices, renew health and wellness, or protect and restore the environment.
They also support Native groups with an interest in agricultural and sustainable economic development, education, social renewal, and treaty rights. For more info, go to: http://www.seva.org. (GrantStation Insider 10/15/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Public Policy Engagement Award
The Council on Foundations is accepting nominations for the 2003 Paul Ylvisaker Award for Public Policy Engagement to a foundation that has demonstrated excellence in affecting public policy by using creative and effective strategies. Responses due 1/17/03. For more info, go to:
http://www.cof.org/. (RFP Bulletin 10/11/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Leadership for a Changing World Program
The Ford Foundation, in partnership with the Advocacy Institute and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, is accepting nominations for the Leadership for a Changing World Program. This program seeks to recognize, strengthen, and support emerging leaders and to highlight the importance of community leadership in improving lives. The program annually recognizes twenty outstanding leaders or leadership groups not yet broadly known beyond their immediate community or field, including but not limited to the environment, education, and economic and community development.
Awardees will receive $100K to support their work and will be provided an Independent Learning Account of $30K. Responses due 1/7/02. For more info, go to: http://leadershipforchange.org/. (RFP Bulletin 10/4/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
Urban Forests
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council seeks Cost-Share Grant Program research proposals that examine the effects of urban forest resources on humans, projects that increase the public's understanding of the value of the urban forest, and projects that develop ideas to stimulate the development of additional funding for urban forestry. For more info, go to: http://www.treelink.org/nucfac/. (GrantStation Insider 10/15/02). Source: Seattle Regional Office (SRO) of the U.S. Department of Energy 10/18/2002.
For more information on funding solicitations go to: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solicitations.html
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