[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 01/29/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 29, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events LIPA and GE Wind Turbines Boost U.S. Offshore Wind Prospects U.S. Wind Power Growth Slows to 10 Percent in 2002 Maine Renewable Energy Brings Green Power to the State Massachusetts, New Jersey Revise Clean Energy Programs President's 2004 Budget Increases Weatherization Assistance New Combined Heat and Power Projects Mark a Growing Trend *Site News H2CARSBIZ *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Regional U.S. Reports on Appliance Use *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- LIPA and GE Wind Turbines Boost U.S. Offshore Wind Prospects The likelihood of offshore wind power developments in the United States improved last week, thanks to separate actions taken by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and Cape Wind Associates, LLC. LIPA, acting on a previous study, requested proposals for an offshore wind power plant that would produce 100 to 140 megawatts of power. The utility has identified its preferred location, a five- square-mile area about 2.5 miles south of Jones Beach on the western end of the island. LIPA is prepared to enter into a 15- to 20-year power purchase agreement for the power produced by such a facility, which the utility hopes would be operational by late 2007. LIPA would also build the undersea cable to connect the facility to its electrical grid. Proposals are due on May 1st. See the LIPA press release and the request for proposals at: http://www.lipower.org/newscenter/pr/2003/jan22.html and http://www.lipower.org/projects/wind.html. LIPA's wind power proposal is supported by a coalition of 30 environmental, civic, and faith-based groups based on Long Island, all working together through the Long Island Offshore Wind Initiative. See the Web site at: http://www.lioffshorewindenergy.org/. In Massachusetts, Cape Wind Associates may have improved its chances of building a wind power project in Nantucket Sound by selecting GE Wind Power's new 3.6-megawatt wind turbine for the proposed project. The huge generating capacity of the new turbine allows Cape Wind to decrease the number of proposed turbines from 170 to 130, reducing the impact on Nantucket Sound. It also increases the distance of the wind facility from shore. See the January 21st press releases from Cape Wind and GE Wind Power at: http://www.capewind.org/reporting/prele02.shtml#012103 and http://www.gepower.com/dhtml/wind/en_us/newsroom/pr.jsp. Meanwhile, another potential developer of offshore wind power, Winergy LLC, has been gradually narrowing its list of potential wind power projects. The company has eliminated three proposed projects in Virginia and one in Maryland, so its project list now includes 15 proposed sites that, if developed, would total 8,931 megawatts of generating capacity. See the Winergy Web site at: http://www.winergyllc.com/index.shtml. U.S. Wind Power Growth Slows to 10 Percent in 2002 The installed wind generating capacity in the United States increased by 10 percent in 2002, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced last week. Though the 410 megawatts of new wind power still represent a healthy growth, the results are disappointing compared to the record growth in 2001, when U.S. wind generating capacity increased by about 66 percent. AWEA cited energy industry retrenchment as one reason for the slowed growth, but also noted uncertainty about the production tax credit, which is due to expire at the end of this year. The credit provides a tax break of 1.5 cents (in 1992 dollars) per kilowatt-hour of wind power. Despite continued uncertainties, AWEA projects that renewed growth will boost U.S. wind capacity by about 1,500 to 1,800 megawatts in 2003, an increase of about 32 to 38 percent. See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news030123cap.html. The early signs of that renewed growth are evident in Oklahoma, which is slated to receive its first large-scale wind plant. Zilkha Renewable Energy announced Monday that Western Farmers Electric Cooperative has signed a 20-year agreement to buy power from the proposed 64-megawatt Blue Canyon wind facility. The cooperative and its member utilities service most of the state. The new wind facility will be located north of Lawton and is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of this year. Zilkha will share ownership of the plant with Kirmart Corporation. See the Zilkha press release at: http://www.zilkha.com/news_single.asp?id=112. On a global level, Germany was the clear winner in 2002
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/29/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 29, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events LIPA and GE Wind Turbines Boost U.S. Offshore Wind Prospects U.S. Wind Power Growth Slows to 10 Percent in 2002 Maine Renewable Energy Brings Green Power to the State Massachusetts, New Jersey Revise Clean Energy Programs President's 2004 Budget Increases Weatherization Assistance New Combined Heat and Power Projects Mark a Growing Trend *Site News H2CARSBIZ *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Regional U.S. Reports on Appliance Use *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- LIPA and GE Wind Turbines Boost U.S. Offshore Wind Prospects The likelihood of offshore wind power developments in the United States improved last week, thanks to separate actions taken by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and Cape Wind Associates, LLC. LIPA, acting on a previous study, requested proposals for an offshore wind power plant that would produce 100 to 140 megawatts of power. The utility has identified its preferred location, a five- square-mile area about 2.5 miles south of Jones Beach on the western end of the island. LIPA is prepared to enter into a 15- to 20-year power purchase agreement for the power produced by such a facility, which the utility hopes would be operational by late 2007. LIPA would also build the undersea cable to connect the facility to its electrical grid. Proposals are due on May 1st. See the LIPA press release and the request for proposals at: http://www.lipower.org/newscenter/pr/2003/jan22.html and http://www.lipower.org/projects/wind.html. LIPA's wind power proposal is supported by a coalition of 30 environmental, civic, and faith-based groups based on Long Island, all working together through the Long Island Offshore Wind Initiative. See the Web site at: http://www.lioffshorewindenergy.org/. In Massachusetts, Cape Wind Associates may have improved its chances of building a wind power project in Nantucket Sound by selecting GE Wind Power's new 3.6-megawatt wind turbine for the proposed project. The huge generating capacity of the new turbine allows Cape Wind to decrease the number of proposed turbines from 170 to 130, reducing the impact on Nantucket Sound. It also increases the distance of the wind facility from shore. See the January 21st press releases from Cape Wind and GE Wind Power at: http://www.capewind.org/reporting/prele02.shtml#012103 and http://www.gepower.com/dhtml/wind/en_us/newsroom/pr.jsp. Meanwhile, another potential developer of offshore wind power, Winergy LLC, has been gradually narrowing its list of potential wind power projects. The company has eliminated three proposed projects in Virginia and one in Maryland, so its project list now includes 15 proposed sites that, if developed, would total 8,931 megawatts of generating capacity. See the Winergy Web site at: http://www.winergyllc.com/index.shtml. U.S. Wind Power Growth Slows to 10 Percent in 2002 The installed wind generating capacity in the United States increased by 10 percent in 2002, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced last week. Though the 410 megawatts of new wind power still represent a healthy growth, the results are disappointing compared to the record growth in 2001, when U.S. wind generating capacity increased by about 66 percent. AWEA cited energy industry retrenchment as one reason for the slowed growth, but also noted uncertainty about the production tax credit, which is due to expire at the end of this year. The credit provides a tax break of 1.5 cents (in 1992 dollars) per kilowatt-hour of wind power. Despite continued uncertainties, AWEA projects that renewed growth will boost U.S. wind capacity by about 1,500 to 1,800 megawatts in 2003, an increase of about 32 to 38 percent. See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news030123cap.html. The early signs of that renewed growth are evident in Oklahoma, which is slated to receive its first large-scale wind plant. Zilkha Renewable Energy announced Monday that Western Farmers Electric Cooperative has signed a 20-year agreement to buy power from the proposed 64-megawatt Blue Canyon wind facility. The cooperative and its member utilities service most of the state. The new wind facility will be located north of Lawton and is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of this year. Zilkha will share ownership of the plant with Kirmart Corporation. See the Zilkha press release at: http://www.zilkha.com/news_single.asp?id=112. On a global level, Germany was the clear winner in 2002
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 01/22/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 22, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events 14 Organizations to Cut Greenhouse Gases 4 Percent by 2006 Zilkha Proposes 180-Megawatt Wind Plant for Washington Hawaiian Electric Launches Renewable Energy Subsidiary Green Mountain Energy to Stop Selling Power in Connecticut Toyota to Discontinue Electric Version of its RAV4 New York State Supports Industrial Energy Efficiency *Site News New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Projection of U.S. Winter Heating Costs *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- 14 Organizations to Cut Greenhouse Gases 4 Percent by 2006 Fourteen organizations, including several large corporations, have entered into a legally binding agreement to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent within the next four years. The 14 entities announced last week that they are forming the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program will allow entities that exceed their emissions goal to sell carbon credits to organizations that are falling short. Trading will begin in spring, and will include so-called sinks -- farm and forestry projects that help reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere -- as well as offsets, which are emissions-reducing projects in other countries that are funded by the U.S. entities. The 14 entities include American Electric Power (AEP); Baxter International Inc.; the City of Chicago; DuPont; Equity Office Properties Trust; Ford Motor Company; International Paper; Manitoba Hydro; MeadWestvaco Corporation; Motorola, Inc.; STMicroelectronics; Stora Enso North America; Temple-Inland Inc.; and Waste Management, Inc. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas, and since most energy sources produce carbon dioxide, energy efficiency is one of the key strategies for achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Methane is also a powerful greenhouse gas, so bioenergy projects that capture methane and use it as an energy source also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as do other renewable energy projects. See the Chicago Climate Exchange press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/pdf/CCXPressRelease011603.pdf. See also the Chicago Climate Exchange Web site at: http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/. As noted by AEP, the Chicago Climate Exchange is that company's way of participating in the Bush Administration's voluntary climate change program. The company may use power plant efficiency improvements and renewable generation, such as wind power and biomass co-firing at its coal plants, to meet its goals, although it also expects to buy credits through the exchange. See the January 16th press release by selecting News Releases on the AEP Web site at: http://www.aep.com/newsroom/default.asp. Zilkha Proposes 180-Megawatt Wind Plant for Washington Zilkha Renewable Energy announced last week that it has submitted a permit application to build a 181.5-megawatt wind facility near Ellensburg, Washington, about 70 miles east of Tacoma. The Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project will generate enough electricity to serve about 45,000 homes in the area. See the Zilkha press release at: http://www.zilkha.com/news_single.asp?id=111noflash=1. Among other recent wind power announcements, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) plans to expand its Buffalo Mountain wind plant tenfold, adding 27 megawatts of new wind turbines to the site near Oliver Springs, Tennessee. In Illinois, the state's first wind facility received approval from the Board for Bureau County, where the wind plant will be built. The Crescent Ridge Windpower Project will generate 51 megawatts, enough for 20,000 Illinois homes. And FPL Energy, LLC, started up its 66-megawatt Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in northern West Virginia in December, as well as its 98-megawatt Hancock County Wind Energy Center in northern Iowa. It also expanded the Stateline Wind Energy Center on the Washington and Oregon border by 37 megawatts, to 300 megawatts. The company plans to add an additional 700 to 1,200 megawatts of new wind power in 2003. See the announcements from TVA, Crescent Ridge, and FPL Energy, respectively, at: http://www.tva.gov/news/releases/janmar03/morewind.htm, http://www.crescentridgewind.com/, and http://www.fplenergy.com/news/contents/03002.shtml. A number of agencies are seeking to develop more wind resources. In early December, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) requested
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/22/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 22, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events 14 Organizations to Cut Greenhouse Gases 4 Percent by 2006 Zilkha Proposes 180-Megawatt Wind Plant for Washington Hawaiian Electric Launches Renewable Energy Subsidiary Green Mountain Energy to Stop Selling Power in Connecticut Toyota to Discontinue Electric Version of its RAV4 New York State Supports Industrial Energy Efficiency *Site News New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Projection of U.S. Winter Heating Costs *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- 14 Organizations to Cut Greenhouse Gases 4 Percent by 2006 Fourteen organizations, including several large corporations, have entered into a legally binding agreement to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent within the next four years. The 14 entities announced last week that they are forming the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program will allow entities that exceed their emissions goal to sell carbon credits to organizations that are falling short. Trading will begin in spring, and will include so-called sinks -- farm and forestry projects that help reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere -- as well as offsets, which are emissions-reducing projects in other countries that are funded by the U.S. entities. The 14 entities include American Electric Power (AEP); Baxter International Inc.; the City of Chicago; DuPont; Equity Office Properties Trust; Ford Motor Company; International Paper; Manitoba Hydro; MeadWestvaco Corporation; Motorola, Inc.; STMicroelectronics; Stora Enso North America; Temple-Inland Inc.; and Waste Management, Inc. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas, and since most energy sources produce carbon dioxide, energy efficiency is one of the key strategies for achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Methane is also a powerful greenhouse gas, so bioenergy projects that capture methane and use it as an energy source also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as do other renewable energy projects. See the Chicago Climate Exchange press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/pdf/CCXPressRelease011603.pdf. See also the Chicago Climate Exchange Web site at: http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/. As noted by AEP, the Chicago Climate Exchange is that company's way of participating in the Bush Administration's voluntary climate change program. The company may use power plant efficiency improvements and renewable generation, such as wind power and biomass co-firing at its coal plants, to meet its goals, although it also expects to buy credits through the exchange. See the January 16th press release by selecting News Releases on the AEP Web site at: http://www.aep.com/newsroom/default.asp. Zilkha Proposes 180-Megawatt Wind Plant for Washington Zilkha Renewable Energy announced last week that it has submitted a permit application to build a 181.5-megawatt wind facility near Ellensburg, Washington, about 70 miles east of Tacoma. The Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project will generate enough electricity to serve about 45,000 homes in the area. See the Zilkha press release at: http://www.zilkha.com/news_single.asp?id=111noflash=1. Among other recent wind power announcements, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) plans to expand its Buffalo Mountain wind plant tenfold, adding 27 megawatts of new wind turbines to the site near Oliver Springs, Tennessee. In Illinois, the state's first wind facility received approval from the Board for Bureau County, where the wind plant will be built. The Crescent Ridge Windpower Project will generate 51 megawatts, enough for 20,000 Illinois homes. And FPL Energy, LLC, started up its 66-megawatt Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in northern West Virginia in December, as well as its 98-megawatt Hancock County Wind Energy Center in northern Iowa. It also expanded the Stateline Wind Energy Center on the Washington and Oregon border by 37 megawatts, to 300 megawatts. The company plans to add an additional 700 to 1,200 megawatts of new wind power in 2003. See the announcements from TVA, Crescent Ridge, and FPL Energy, respectively, at: http://www.tva.gov/news/releases/janmar03/morewind.htm, http://www.crescentridgewind.com/, and http://www.fplenergy.com/news/contents/03002.shtml. A number of agencies are seeking to develop more wind resources. In early December, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) requested
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 01/15/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 15, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Toyota to Produce First Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV in 2005 GM Introduces Hybrid Electric Military Pickup with Fuel Cell California Proposes Delay to Zero-Emission Vehicle Program ChevronTexaco to Use Ethanol in Southern California by May N.Y. Governor Proposes 25 Percent Renewable Power Mandate Solar Power Installed at the White House and in California *Site News Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association (AACPA) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA: U.S. May Draw on Imports for 70 Percent of Oil by 2025 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Toyota to Produce First Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV in 2005 Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled a new hybrid electric drive system last week and promised to use it in the Lexus RX 330, a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV), by 2005. Toyota's new hybrid system uses wheel-mounted electric motors on all four wheels, combined with a traditional gasoline engine and a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. According to Toyota, the hybrid electric Lexus RX 330 will use a six-cylinder engine to produce the power and torque of an eight- cylinder engine with the fuel mileage of a compact car. For now, the new hybrid drive is featured in Toyota's sport utility hybrid vehicle (SU-HV) concept car, now on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Toyota also unveiled a new fuel-cell-powered concept car last week. The sporty concept vehicle, called the FINE-S, is reminiscent of the Hywire concept vehicle introduced by General Motors Corporation in October 2001. Like the Hywire, the FINE-S reveals the potential styling versatility for fuel-cell vehicles, making it possible to install the technology in a wide variety of vehicle types, shapes and sizes, based on a shared platform. See the January 7th press releases from Toyota at: http://pressroom.toyota.com/. The North American International Auto Show is also debuting a new all-electric vehicle, the Matra P75. Produced by French automaker Matra Automobile, the working prototype combines a lithium-ion battery and a 50-kilowatt motor to achieve a top speed of 87 miles per hour and a range of 124 miles. The car is at the auto show as part of the Michelin Challenge Design display. See the Michelin press release and the Matra Web page at: http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com/matra.htm and http://www.matra.com/gb/alaune/liste_com.php3. GM Introduces Hybrid Electric Military Pickup with Fuel Cell General Motors Corporation (GM) introduced last week a fuel- efficient pickup truck for use by the U.S. Army. Based on the Chevrolet Silverado, the military vehicle is powered by a hybrid electric drive that features a diesel V8 engine. The truck also features a 5-kilowatt regenerative fuel cell, manufactured by Hydrogenics Corporation, that serves as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for powering equipment in the field. The fuel cell APU produces hydrogen while the truck is running, then converts the hydrogen into electricity in the field, serving as a clean and quiet generator. The hybrid diesel system can also be used as a generator, providing up to 30 kilowatts of either direct-current or alternating-current power. According to GM, the diesel hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by 20 percent compared to conventional diesel vehicles. The Army is expected to want 30,000 hybrid electric tactical vehicles by the end of this decade. GM also generated three press releases on its plans for hybrid vehicles for consumers, as reported in this newsletter last week. See the GM press releases at: http://www.gmability.com/environment/gm_and_the_env/releases/. GM's work for the Army is just one of several projects aimed at increased fuel efficiency for the U.S. military. For example, UQM Technologies, Inc. has been developing hybrid vehicles for the Army and announced in December a new contract to do the same for the U.S. Marine Corps. In September, that company claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in electric motor performance. Oshkosh Truck Corporation is also developing hybrid drives for the Army, while IdaTech, LLC is developing fuel cell APUs. See the press releases from UQM Technologies, IdaTech, and Oshkosh Truck, respectively, at: http://www.uqm.com/news.html, http://www.idatech.com/media/news.html?article=42, and http://www.oshkoshtruck.com/htm/company/ShowNews.cfm?ID=138. Why all the emphasis on military fuel efficiency? One reason is a report produced by a Defense Science Board task force
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/15/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 15, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Toyota to Produce First Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV in 2005 GM Introduces Hybrid Electric Military Pickup with Fuel Cell California Proposes Delay to Zero-Emission Vehicle Program ChevronTexaco to Use Ethanol in Southern California by May N.Y. Governor Proposes 25 Percent Renewable Power Mandate Solar Power Installed at the White House and in California *Site News Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association (AACPA) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA: U.S. May Draw on Imports for 70 Percent of Oil by 2025 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Toyota to Produce First Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV in 2005 Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled a new hybrid electric drive system last week and promised to use it in the Lexus RX 330, a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV), by 2005. Toyota's new hybrid system uses wheel-mounted electric motors on all four wheels, combined with a traditional gasoline engine and a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. According to Toyota, the hybrid electric Lexus RX 330 will use a six-cylinder engine to produce the power and torque of an eight- cylinder engine with the fuel mileage of a compact car. For now, the new hybrid drive is featured in Toyota's sport utility hybrid vehicle (SU-HV) concept car, now on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Toyota also unveiled a new fuel-cell-powered concept car last week. The sporty concept vehicle, called the FINE-S, is reminiscent of the Hywire concept vehicle introduced by General Motors Corporation in October 2001. Like the Hywire, the FINE-S reveals the potential styling versatility for fuel-cell vehicles, making it possible to install the technology in a wide variety of vehicle types, shapes and sizes, based on a shared platform. See the January 7th press releases from Toyota at: http://pressroom.toyota.com/. The North American International Auto Show is also debuting a new all-electric vehicle, the Matra P75. Produced by French automaker Matra Automobile, the working prototype combines a lithium-ion battery and a 50-kilowatt motor to achieve a top speed of 87 miles per hour and a range of 124 miles. The car is at the auto show as part of the Michelin Challenge Design display. See the Michelin press release and the Matra Web page at: http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com/matra.htm and http://www.matra.com/gb/alaune/liste_com.php3. GM Introduces Hybrid Electric Military Pickup with Fuel Cell General Motors Corporation (GM) introduced last week a fuel- efficient pickup truck for use by the U.S. Army. Based on the Chevrolet Silverado, the military vehicle is powered by a hybrid electric drive that features a diesel V8 engine. The truck also features a 5-kilowatt regenerative fuel cell, manufactured by Hydrogenics Corporation, that serves as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for powering equipment in the field. The fuel cell APU produces hydrogen while the truck is running, then converts the hydrogen into electricity in the field, serving as a clean and quiet generator. The hybrid diesel system can also be used as a generator, providing up to 30 kilowatts of either direct-current or alternating-current power. According to GM, the diesel hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by 20 percent compared to conventional diesel vehicles. The Army is expected to want 30,000 hybrid electric tactical vehicles by the end of this decade. GM also generated three press releases on its plans for hybrid vehicles for consumers, as reported in this newsletter last week. See the GM press releases at: http://www.gmability.com/environment/gm_and_the_env/releases/. GM's work for the Army is just one of several projects aimed at increased fuel efficiency for the U.S. military. For example, UQM Technologies, Inc. has been developing hybrid vehicles for the Army and announced in December a new contract to do the same for the U.S. Marine Corps. In September, that company claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in electric motor performance. Oshkosh Truck Corporation is also developing hybrid drives for the Army, while IdaTech, LLC is developing fuel cell APUs. See the press releases from UQM Technologies, IdaTech, and Oshkosh Truck, respectively, at: http://www.uqm.com/news.html, http://www.idatech.com/media/news.html?article=42, and http://www.oshkoshtruck.com/htm/company/ShowNews.cfm?ID=138. Why all the emphasis on military fuel efficiency? One reason is a report produced by a Defense Science Board task force
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 01/08/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 8, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007 Ford Unveils Model U, a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle Ford Agrees to Sell Think Nordic to Kamkorp Microelectronics North America to Unify Energy Efficiency Standards in 2003 Fifty-Megawatt Solar Thermal Power Plant Planned for Nevada New Mexico Adopts Minimum Renewable Energy Requirements U.K. Company Reports Successful Tidal Energy Production *Site News Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop 1.2 Percent in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007 General Motors Corporation (GM) announced on Monday that it will offer hybrid electric versions of at least seven vehicle models within the next five years and could sell as many as a million hybrid vehicles per year by 2007. GM will offer three types of hybrid electric configurations in up to a dozen vehicle models. As announced in 2001, GM is planning to introduce hybrid versions of its GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado by combining a 14-kilowatt motor with a V8 engine and using a 42-volt lead-acid battery pack for energy storage. A so-called mild hybrid system, the motor will provide supplemental power to the engine when needed, but the engine will always run. GM expects a 10 to 12 percent increase in fuel economy in the pickups, which will be available later this year. In 2007, GM will offer the same system for its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles (SUVs), combined with a displacement on demand feature that will shut down some engine cylinders when they are not needed. That feature will add another 5 to 8 percent increase in fuel efficiency, according to GM. For more information, see the May 2001 GM announcements at: http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2265 and http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2263. In late 2005, GM plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Saturn VUE, a smaller SUV that runs on a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. The hybrid electric model will add twin 20-kilowatt electric motors and will operate as a strong hybrid: At low speeds, the vehicle will run on batteries alone. GM expects to achieve 50 percent gains in fuel economy while improving the vehicle's performance. Starting in 2006, GM will begin selling its third hybrid system, which combines a belt-driven starter/alternator with a 2.4-liter engine and a 42-volt battery. Available on the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox SUV in 2006, the system will be applied to the Chevrolet Malibu sedan in 2007. GM expects to offer the system for both 4- and 6-cylinder engines, achieving an estimated 12 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy. GM made the announcement at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, now underway in Detroit. See the video of the GM announcement at: http://webevents.broadcast.com/gm/atpv2003. Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is planning to begin producing a hybrid version of the Ford Escape SUV later this year. Ford will offer the hybrid Escape to commercial fleets this year, then offer it to consumers in mid-2004. See the Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle Web site at: http://www.hybridford.com/faq/index.asp. Ford Unveils Model U, a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle Ford Motor Company unveiled a new hydrogen-fueled concept vehicle on Sunday, but unlike most recent prototypes, this vehicle uses an internal combustion engine rather than a fuel cell. Ford's Model U concept car uses a supercharged engine to achieve a performance similar to a gasoline-fueled engine while using about 25 percent less energy. The engine also produces very low emissions, consisting mainly of water vapor and low levels of nitrous oxides. The hydrogen engine is combined with a 35-kilowatt electric motor in a strong hybrid configuration, which allows the vehicle to run on electric power only at low speeds. In addition, Ford used a number of green materials in the car's construction, including Cargill Dow's corn-based polylactide for the canvas roof and carpet mats, and soy-based foams and plastics for the seats and tailgate. The Model U, intentionally named to invoke Ford's Model T, was unveiled during the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Ford produced the Model U and two other concept cars as part of the company's centennial celebration. See the Ford press release at: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=14047. Ford
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/08/03
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 8, 2003 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007 Ford Unveils Model U, a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle Ford Agrees to Sell Think Nordic to Kamkorp Microelectronics North America to Unify Energy Efficiency Standards in 2003 Fifty-Megawatt Solar Thermal Power Plant Planned for Nevada New Mexico Adopts Minimum Renewable Energy Requirements U.K. Company Reports Successful Tidal Energy Production *Site News Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop 1.2 Percent in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007 General Motors Corporation (GM) announced on Monday that it will offer hybrid electric versions of at least seven vehicle models within the next five years and could sell as many as a million hybrid vehicles per year by 2007. GM will offer three types of hybrid electric configurations in up to a dozen vehicle models. As announced in 2001, GM is planning to introduce hybrid versions of its GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado by combining a 14-kilowatt motor with a V8 engine and using a 42-volt lead-acid battery pack for energy storage. A so-called mild hybrid system, the motor will provide supplemental power to the engine when needed, but the engine will always run. GM expects a 10 to 12 percent increase in fuel economy in the pickups, which will be available later this year. In 2007, GM will offer the same system for its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles (SUVs), combined with a displacement on demand feature that will shut down some engine cylinders when they are not needed. That feature will add another 5 to 8 percent increase in fuel efficiency, according to GM. For more information, see the May 2001 GM announcements at: http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2265 and http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2263. In late 2005, GM plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Saturn VUE, a smaller SUV that runs on a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. The hybrid electric model will add twin 20-kilowatt electric motors and will operate as a strong hybrid: At low speeds, the vehicle will run on batteries alone. GM expects to achieve 50 percent gains in fuel economy while improving the vehicle's performance. Starting in 2006, GM will begin selling its third hybrid system, which combines a belt-driven starter/alternator with a 2.4-liter engine and a 42-volt battery. Available on the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox SUV in 2006, the system will be applied to the Chevrolet Malibu sedan in 2007. GM expects to offer the system for both 4- and 6-cylinder engines, achieving an estimated 12 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy. GM made the announcement at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, now underway in Detroit. See the video of the GM announcement at: http://webevents.broadcast.com/gm/atpv2003. Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is planning to begin producing a hybrid version of the Ford Escape SUV later this year. Ford will offer the hybrid Escape to commercial fleets this year, then offer it to consumers in mid-2004. See the Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle Web site at: http://www.hybridford.com/faq/index.asp. Ford Unveils Model U, a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle Ford Motor Company unveiled a new hydrogen-fueled concept vehicle on Sunday, but unlike most recent prototypes, this vehicle uses an internal combustion engine rather than a fuel cell. Ford's Model U concept car uses a supercharged engine to achieve a performance similar to a gasoline-fueled engine while using about 25 percent less energy. The engine also produces very low emissions, consisting mainly of water vapor and low levels of nitrous oxides. The hydrogen engine is combined with a 35-kilowatt electric motor in a strong hybrid configuration, which allows the vehicle to run on electric power only at low speeds. In addition, Ford used a number of green materials in the car's construction, including Cargill Dow's corn-based polylactide for the canvas roof and carpet mats, and soy-based foams and plastics for the seats and tailgate. The Model U, intentionally named to invoke Ford's Model T, was unveiled during the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Ford produced the Model U and two other concept cars as part of the company's centennial celebration. See the Ford press release at: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=14047. Ford
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 12/18/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 18, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Tucson Electric Power Activates 2.4-Megawatt Solar Array NHTSA Proposes Increased Fuel Efficiency for Light Trucks Toyota Advances Fuel Efficiency While Cutting Energy Use Nissan Unveils Fuel Cell Vehicle; John Deere in Development New Biodiesel Facility Begins Operation in Iowa DOE Awards $4.4 Million for Energy-Saving Technologies Ocean Power Corporation Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy *Site News New and Renewable Energy Centre *Energy Facts and Tips Multi-Colored LEDs Offer Energy Savings for the Holidays *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: Last week's EREN Network News was delayed due to computer problems that were beyond our control. If you failed to receive last week's issue, see the online version in our archive at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/. The EREN Network News will be taking the next two weeks off for the holidays. We'll return with a New Year's bundle of clean energy news on January 8th. Until then, we wish all our readers a joyous, peaceful, and energy-efficient holiday season! Tucson Electric Power Activates 2.4-Megawatt Solar Array The Western Hemisphere's largest solar photovoltaic power system is now pumping out power near Springerville, Arizona. Tucson Electric Power (TEP) continues to follow through on its plans to expand the Springerville Generating Station Solar System, which now has a peak generating capacity of 2.4 megawatts. TEP plans to expand the system to 4 megawatts by 2004. Currently, the world's largest photovoltaic system is a 3.3-megawatt installation in Serre, Italy, although larger systems are now being planned throughout the world. See the December 10th press release from TEP at: http://www.tucsonelectric.com/Company/News/PressReleases/index.asp. The TEP installation is rivaling another solar power system being built in Arizona by APS. As reported in the November 6th edition of the EREN Network News, the utility hopes to expand the Prescott Airport Solar Power Plant to 5 megawatts within the next five years. See the EREN Network News article at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/news_detail.cfm?news_id=391. Spire Corporation is providing much smaller solar power systems to 12 homes in the Chicago metropolitan area. The company's Spire Solar Chicago operation will install 1.2-kilowatt systems on single-family homes in an affordable housing development in southeastern Chicago. The systems should provide about one-quarter of the electricity needs for the energy-efficient homes. See the Spire press release at: http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/PV383.htm. NHTSA Proposes Increased Fuel Efficiency for Light Trucks The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), proposed new fuel economy standards for light trucks last week. The new standards will first take effect during model year 2005 and become gradually more restrictive until model year 2007. Over those three years, light truck fuel efficiency standards will increase from today's 20.7 mile-per-gallon (mpg) requirement to 22.2 mpg, an increase of more than 7 percent, which will save an estimated 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline. The corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard was last increased in 1996; a final rule establishing the new standards will be issued by April 2003. See the DOT press release at: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/nhtsa7502.htm. Light trucks refer to pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less -- some heavy pickups and SUVs exceed this vehicle weight rating and are exempt from the standard. In submissions to the NHTSA in May 2002, the three major U.S. automakers said they expected to increase light-truck fuel efficiency by 2007, with General Motors Corporation aiming to achieve 19.1 to 20.8 mpg, Ford Motor Company targeting 22.0 mpg, and DaimlerChrysler shooting for 22.2 mpg. When the new CAFE standards are in place, manufacturers that fail to meet the standards will be subject to civil penalties. See the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the NHTSA Web site at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/. Toyota Advances Fuel Efficiency While Cutting Energy Use Toyota Motor North America announced last week that it is not only improving fuel efficiency in its vehicles, but also increasing energy efficiency in its factories. According to the Toyota North America Environmental Report, the company has
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/18/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 18, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Tucson Electric Power Activates 2.4-Megawatt Solar Array NHTSA Proposes Increased Fuel Efficiency for Light Trucks Toyota Advances Fuel Efficiency While Cutting Energy Use Nissan Unveils Fuel Cell Vehicle; John Deere in Development New Biodiesel Facility Begins Operation in Iowa DOE Awards $4.4 Million for Energy-Saving Technologies Ocean Power Corporation Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy *Site News New and Renewable Energy Centre *Energy Facts and Tips Multi-Colored LEDs Offer Energy Savings for the Holidays *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: Last week's EREN Network News was delayed due to computer problems that were beyond our control. If you failed to receive last week's issue, see the online version in our archive at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/. The EREN Network News will be taking the next two weeks off for the holidays. We'll return with a New Year's bundle of clean energy news on January 8th. Until then, we wish all our readers a joyous, peaceful, and energy-efficient holiday season! Tucson Electric Power Activates 2.4-Megawatt Solar Array The Western Hemisphere's largest solar photovoltaic power system is now pumping out power near Springerville, Arizona. Tucson Electric Power (TEP) continues to follow through on its plans to expand the Springerville Generating Station Solar System, which now has a peak generating capacity of 2.4 megawatts. TEP plans to expand the system to 4 megawatts by 2004. Currently, the world's largest photovoltaic system is a 3.3-megawatt installation in Serre, Italy, although larger systems are now being planned throughout the world. See the December 10th press release from TEP at: http://www.tucsonelectric.com/Company/News/PressReleases/index.asp. The TEP installation is rivaling another solar power system being built in Arizona by APS. As reported in the November 6th edition of the EREN Network News, the utility hopes to expand the Prescott Airport Solar Power Plant to 5 megawatts within the next five years. See the EREN Network News article at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/news_detail.cfm?news_id=391. Spire Corporation is providing much smaller solar power systems to 12 homes in the Chicago metropolitan area. The company's Spire Solar Chicago operation will install 1.2-kilowatt systems on single-family homes in an affordable housing development in southeastern Chicago. The systems should provide about one-quarter of the electricity needs for the energy-efficient homes. See the Spire press release at: http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/PV383.htm. NHTSA Proposes Increased Fuel Efficiency for Light Trucks The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), proposed new fuel economy standards for light trucks last week. The new standards will first take effect during model year 2005 and become gradually more restrictive until model year 2007. Over those three years, light truck fuel efficiency standards will increase from today's 20.7 mile-per-gallon (mpg) requirement to 22.2 mpg, an increase of more than 7 percent, which will save an estimated 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline. The corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard was last increased in 1996; a final rule establishing the new standards will be issued by April 2003. See the DOT press release at: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/nhtsa7502.htm. Light trucks refer to pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less -- some heavy pickups and SUVs exceed this vehicle weight rating and are exempt from the standard. In submissions to the NHTSA in May 2002, the three major U.S. automakers said they expected to increase light-truck fuel efficiency by 2007, with General Motors Corporation aiming to achieve 19.1 to 20.8 mpg, Ford Motor Company targeting 22.0 mpg, and DaimlerChrysler shooting for 22.2 mpg. When the new CAFE standards are in place, manufacturers that fail to meet the standards will be subject to civil penalties. See the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the NHTSA Web site at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/. Toyota Advances Fuel Efficiency While Cutting Energy Use Toyota Motor North America announced last week that it is not only improving fuel efficiency in its vehicles, but also increasing energy efficiency in its factories. According to the Toyota North America Environmental Report, the company has
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 12/11/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 11, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GE Wind Energy Tests Prototype of 3.6-Megawatt Wind Turbine Large Wind Power Projects Slated for California, Minnesota DOE Grant Supports Development of New Products from Corn DOE Project to Create New Life Form for Hydrogen Production Two Solar Cell Companies Cut Costs by Making More from Less Two Groups to Install Superconducting Utility Cables in 2005 *Site News BetterBricks *Energy Facts and Tips IEA Documents Renewable Energy History, Looks Ahead to 2030 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GE Wind Energy Tests Prototype of 3.6-Megawatt Wind Turbine GE Wind Energy, the largest wind turbine company in the United States, announced yesterday that it is now testing a prototype 3.6-megawatt wind turbine, which will be the world's largest commercial wind turbine. The wind machine was installed in Spain in May, connected to the electrical grid in September, and reached its nominal power output in October. Designed specifically for offshore wind installations, the wind turbine has a hub height of 75 meters (246 feet) and a rotor diameter of 104 meters (341 feet). The prototype, however, was installed on a farm, so it is mounted at a hub height of 100 meters (328 feet) to account for the higher wind turbulence over land. The massive turbine is equipped with an optional internal 40-ton crane that will allow for the exchange of the rotor blades, gearbox, and generator without using a separate, external crane. It can also be fitted with a helicopter-hoisting platform to allow the use of helicopters when working on the turbine. GE Wind Energy will manufacture the wind turbines in Germany and the United States once the test period is complete. See the December 10th press release from GE Wind Energy at: http://www.gepower.com/dhtml/wind/en_us/newsroom/pr.jsp. Large Wind Power Projects Slated for California, Minnesota California and Minnesota will gain a total of 200 megawatts of new wind power capacity, thanks to plans now underway by several firms. In southwestern Minnesota, PacifiCorp Power Marketing, Inc. (PPM) will build the 50-megawatt Moraine Wind Power Project using 34 wind turbines from GE Wind Energy. GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, manufactured in California, are the largest made in the United States. Xcel Energy will buy all of the power from the wind facility, which will begin commercial operation in fall 2003. The project will produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 19,000 average U.S. homes. See the GE Wind Energy press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.gepower.com/corporate/en_us/aboutgeps/releases/112102.pdf Minnesota has significant wind energy resources, but they are concentrated in the southwest corner of the state. See the high- resolution wind resource maps on the Minnesota State Energy Office Web site at: http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/pages/Energy/ModTech/windmaps.htm. PPM, the developer of the Minnesota project, will also buy the entire output from the 150-megawatt High Winds wind power project, to be built in northern California by FPL Energy. Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced on Monday that the project, to be located in Solano County, will use the company's 1.8-megawatt wind turbines, the largest wind turbines sold in North America. The High Winds project is expected to begin operating in summer 2003. See the press releases from PPM and Vestas at: http://www.ppmenergy.com/rel_02.11.21.html and http://www.vestas.dk/nyheder/presse/2002/UK/fond20021209_UK.html. A number of smaller wind projects are now underway across the country: the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is installing two 950-kilowatt wind turbines near Rochester (in southeast Minnesota); the Palmdale Water District in southern California, just north of Los Angeles, is planning to install a one- megawatt wind turbine near Lake Palmdale, with assistance from Black Veatch Corporation; and Xcel Energy and Cielo Wind Power, LLC are planning to add two 660-kilowatt wind turbines to the Llano Estacado Wind Ranch in eastern Curry County, New Mexico. Among recently completed projects, Basin Electric Power Cooperative helped dedicate two new 1.3-megawatt wind turbines near Minot, North Dakota, and Oncor, the energy delivery unit of TXU, completed two transmission lines that will help deliver West Texas wind power to customers in North Texas. See the December 3rd press release from SMMPA at: http://www.smmpa.com/atsmmpa/news.asp. See also the press
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/11/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 11, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GE Wind Energy Tests Prototype of 3.6-Megawatt Wind Turbine Large Wind Power Projects Slated for California, Minnesota DOE Grant Supports Development of New Products from Corn DOE Project to Create New Life Form for Hydrogen Production Two Solar Cell Companies Cut Costs by Making More from Less Two Groups to Install Superconducting Utility Cables in 2005 *Site News BetterBricks *Energy Facts and Tips IEA Documents Renewable Energy History, Looks Ahead to 2030 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GE Wind Energy Tests Prototype of 3.6-Megawatt Wind Turbine GE Wind Energy, the largest wind turbine company in the United States, announced yesterday that it is now testing a prototype 3.6-megawatt wind turbine, which will be the world's largest commercial wind turbine. The wind machine was installed in Spain in May, connected to the electrical grid in September, and reached its nominal power output in October. Designed specifically for offshore wind installations, the wind turbine has a hub height of 75 meters (246 feet) and a rotor diameter of 104 meters (341 feet). The prototype, however, was installed on a farm, so it is mounted at a hub height of 100 meters (328 feet) to account for the higher wind turbulence over land. The massive turbine is equipped with an optional internal 40-ton crane that will allow for the exchange of the rotor blades, gearbox, and generator without using a separate, external crane. It can also be fitted with a helicopter-hoisting platform to allow the use of helicopters when working on the turbine. GE Wind Energy will manufacture the wind turbines in Germany and the United States once the test period is complete. See the December 10th press release from GE Wind Energy at: http://www.gepower.com/dhtml/wind/en_us/newsroom/pr.jsp. Large Wind Power Projects Slated for California, Minnesota California and Minnesota will gain a total of 200 megawatts of new wind power capacity, thanks to plans now underway by several firms. In southwestern Minnesota, PacifiCorp Power Marketing, Inc. (PPM) will build the 50-megawatt Moraine Wind Power Project using 34 wind turbines from GE Wind Energy. GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, manufactured in California, are the largest made in the United States. Xcel Energy will buy all of the power from the wind facility, which will begin commercial operation in fall 2003. The project will produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 19,000 average U.S. homes. See the GE Wind Energy press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.gepower.com/corporate/en_us/aboutgeps/releases/112102.pdf Minnesota has significant wind energy resources, but they are concentrated in the southwest corner of the state. See the high- resolution wind resource maps on the Minnesota State Energy Office Web site at: http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/pages/Energy/ModTech/windmaps.htm. PPM, the developer of the Minnesota project, will also buy the entire output from the 150-megawatt High Winds wind power project, to be built in northern California by FPL Energy. Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced on Monday that the project, to be located in Solano County, will use the company's 1.8-megawatt wind turbines, the largest wind turbines sold in North America. The High Winds project is expected to begin operating in summer 2003. See the press releases from PPM and Vestas at: http://www.ppmenergy.com/rel_02.11.21.html and http://www.vestas.dk/nyheder/presse/2002/UK/fond20021209_UK.html. A number of smaller wind projects are now underway across the country: the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is installing two 950-kilowatt wind turbines near Rochester (in southeast Minnesota); the Palmdale Water District in southern California, just north of Los Angeles, is planning to install a one- megawatt wind turbine near Lake Palmdale, with assistance from Black Veatch Corporation; and Xcel Energy and Cielo Wind Power, LLC are planning to add two 660-kilowatt wind turbines to the Llano Estacado Wind Ranch in eastern Curry County, New Mexico. Among recently completed projects, Basin Electric Power Cooperative helped dedicate two new 1.3-megawatt wind turbines near Minot, North Dakota, and Oncor, the energy delivery unit of TXU, completed two transmission lines that will help deliver West Texas wind power to customers in North Texas. See the December 3rd press release from SMMPA at: http://www.smmpa.com/atsmmpa/news.asp. See also the press
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 12/04/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 4, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Honda and Toyota Deliver Fuel Cell Cars to California Coleman Powermate Launches Fuel-Cell-Powered Generator Nevada Utility Signs Contracts for Wind, Geothermal Power Report Shows Large Benefits from Energy Star Program Projects to Produce Energy from Waste are Gaining Momentum Religious Groups Seek to Make Driving a Moral Issue *Site News Fuelcell Propulsion Institute *Energy Facts and Tips Renewable Energy Gains Ground as EIA Looks Ahead to 2025 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Honda and Toyota Deliver Fuel Cell Cars to California Honda Motor Company, Ltd. and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. both delivered their first fuel-cell-powered cars to customers in California on Monday. The City of Los Angeles took delivery of a Honda FCX, a hydrogen- fueled vehicle that seats four, has a range of up to 170 miles, and performs much like a standard Honda Civic. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will provide the hydrogen fuel and fueling infrastructure for the city. Los Angeles is leasing the vehicle for $500 per month and plans to lease four more in 2003. Honda plans to lease about 30 vehicles in California and Japan in the next two years, but has no current plans for mass-market sales of fuel cell vehicles. See the December 2nd press release on the Honda Web site at: http://www.hondanews.com/forms/events/index.html?kw=fcx. Meanwhile, Toyota delivered two of its hydrogen-fueled Toyota FCHVs to the University of California (UC), Irvine and UC Davis. Based on the Highlander, a mid-sized SUV, the FCHV combines improved aerodynamics, aluminum components, and a 109-horsepower motor to achieve excellent acceleration and a range of up to 180 miles. Both cars are under 30-month leases to the universities, which are leaders in fuel-cell research. Toyota plans to deliver four more FCHVs to the universities next year. The company has provided more than $2 million in research grants to UC campuses over the past five years, and plans to double that figure over the next three and a half years. See the December 2nd press release on the Toyota Web site at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/index.html#environment. The combined efforts of Toyota, Honda, the City of Los Angeles, the California Fuel Cell Partnership, and state organizations like the California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management Board are leading to the establishment of hydrogen fueling infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles and Orange counties. According to Toyota, these two model communities will have a network of six refueling stations up and running within the next six months. Toyota's contribution includes a new refueling station at Toyota's national headquarters in Torrance, 40 miles northwest of the UC Irvine campus. See the Stuart Energy press release at: http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_dec2.html. A fuel-cell-powered bus already hit the streets in Southern California in mid-November. The SunLine Transit Agency, which serves the Palm Springs area, is operating a 50-foot ThunderPower bus, built through a joint venture of Thor Industries and ISE Research. The hydrogen-fueled bus draws on a 75-kilowatt fuel cell from UTC Fuel Cells and is serving a route that will demand 100 miles of travel each day. UTC is also working with the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium to develop a 200-kilowatt fuel cell power plant for buses. See the UTC Fuel Cells press releases at: http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/111402.shtml and http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/02.shtml. The market for fuel cell vehicles has yielded good news for Ballard Power Corporation in recent weeks. Ballard received a $1.88 million order for its Mark 902 fuel-cell engines from an undisclosed automotive company in late November, then signed a three-year supply agreement with Honda on Monday. And according to a new study from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI), the Ballard news is part of a trend: ABI predicts a rapidly growing market that will reach 800,000 fuel cell vehicles worldwide by 2012. See the press releases from Ballard and ABI, all in PDF format only, at: http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/27%20New%20Auto.PDF, http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/28%20Honda.PDF, http://www.alliedworld.com/pdfs/afc02pr.pdf. Coleman Powermate Launches Fuel-Cell-Powered Generator Coleman Powermate, a leading producer of portable power systems and backup power systems, took a major step toward
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/04/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 4, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Honda and Toyota Deliver Fuel Cell Cars to California Coleman Powermate Launches Fuel-Cell-Powered Generator Nevada Utility Signs Contracts for Wind, Geothermal Power Report Shows Large Benefits from Energy Star Program Projects to Produce Energy from Waste are Gaining Momentum Religious Groups Seek to Make Driving a Moral Issue *Site News Fuelcell Propulsion Institute *Energy Facts and Tips Renewable Energy Gains Ground as EIA Looks Ahead to 2025 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Honda and Toyota Deliver Fuel Cell Cars to California Honda Motor Company, Ltd. and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. both delivered their first fuel-cell-powered cars to customers in California on Monday. The City of Los Angeles took delivery of a Honda FCX, a hydrogen- fueled vehicle that seats four, has a range of up to 170 miles, and performs much like a standard Honda Civic. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will provide the hydrogen fuel and fueling infrastructure for the city. Los Angeles is leasing the vehicle for $500 per month and plans to lease four more in 2003. Honda plans to lease about 30 vehicles in California and Japan in the next two years, but has no current plans for mass-market sales of fuel cell vehicles. See the December 2nd press release on the Honda Web site at: http://www.hondanews.com/forms/events/index.html?kw=fcx. Meanwhile, Toyota delivered two of its hydrogen-fueled Toyota FCHVs to the University of California (UC), Irvine and UC Davis. Based on the Highlander, a mid-sized SUV, the FCHV combines improved aerodynamics, aluminum components, and a 109-horsepower motor to achieve excellent acceleration and a range of up to 180 miles. Both cars are under 30-month leases to the universities, which are leaders in fuel-cell research. Toyota plans to deliver four more FCHVs to the universities next year. The company has provided more than $2 million in research grants to UC campuses over the past five years, and plans to double that figure over the next three and a half years. See the December 2nd press release on the Toyota Web site at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/index.html#environment. The combined efforts of Toyota, Honda, the City of Los Angeles, the California Fuel Cell Partnership, and state organizations like the California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management Board are leading to the establishment of hydrogen fueling infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles and Orange counties. According to Toyota, these two model communities will have a network of six refueling stations up and running within the next six months. Toyota's contribution includes a new refueling station at Toyota's national headquarters in Torrance, 40 miles northwest of the UC Irvine campus. See the Stuart Energy press release at: http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_dec2.html. A fuel-cell-powered bus already hit the streets in Southern California in mid-November. The SunLine Transit Agency, which serves the Palm Springs area, is operating a 50-foot ThunderPower bus, built through a joint venture of Thor Industries and ISE Research. The hydrogen-fueled bus draws on a 75-kilowatt fuel cell from UTC Fuel Cells and is serving a route that will demand 100 miles of travel each day. UTC is also working with the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium to develop a 200-kilowatt fuel cell power plant for buses. See the UTC Fuel Cells press releases at: http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/111402.shtml and http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/02.shtml. The market for fuel cell vehicles has yielded good news for Ballard Power Corporation in recent weeks. Ballard received a $1.88 million order for its Mark 902 fuel-cell engines from an undisclosed automotive company in late November, then signed a three-year supply agreement with Honda on Monday. And according to a new study from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI), the Ballard news is part of a trend: ABI predicts a rapidly growing market that will reach 800,000 fuel cell vehicles worldwide by 2012. See the press releases from Ballard and ABI, all in PDF format only, at: http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/27%20New%20Auto.PDF, http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/28%20Honda.PDF, http://www.alliedworld.com/pdfs/afc02pr.pdf. Coleman Powermate Launches Fuel-Cell-Powered Generator Coleman Powermate, a leading producer of portable power systems and backup power systems, took a major step toward
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 11/27/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 27, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative San Francisco Launches Solar Initiative with 675-kW System BP Drops Thin-Film Products to Focus on Crystalline Silicon Casinos Help Bring Six Zero Energy Homes to New Jersey Geothermal Power Plant in Northern California Gains Approval New York Provides $250,000 for Energy Efficiency at Brewery *Site News Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Solar and Wind Industries Grow as Hydropower Drops *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project Four large energy companies announced last week their plan to contribute up to $225 million over the next ten years to support a new energy research project managed by Stanford University. The new Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) will develop innovative technologies to meet the world's growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GCEP is expecting to receive support from the ExxonMobil Corporation, the General Electric Company (GE), Schlumberger Limited, and E.ON, a European energy supplier. Stanford University expects to perform much of the research, but will also join with renowned institutions around the world to work with the sponsoring companies. The GCEP will identify the most promising technologies for low- emissions, high-efficiency energy supplies; identify the global barriers to deploying those technologies; conduct research into overcoming those barriers; identify potential solutions to the barriers; and share and publicize its results to a wide audience. With regard to energy efficiency and renewable energy, the GCEP's research agenda definitely includes renewable energy technologies, hydrogen, advanced transportation systems, and power storage and transmission technologies. However, the agenda also includes advanced nuclear power technologies, advanced uses of coal, and carbon sequestration. See the GCEP Web site (particularly the news release) at: http://gcep.stanford.edu/. As noted in the ExxonMobil press release, The announcement of the project comes as some scientists have begun calling for a research effort as ambitious as the Apollo project to address both energy needs and emission reductions. See the November 20th press release from ExxonMobil, as well as the press releases from GE and Schlumberger, at: http://www2.exxonmobil.com/corporate/, http://www.ge.com/stories/en/10877.html, and http://www.slb.com/press/newsroom/index.cfm?prid=13901. DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative DOE announced last week its intent to launch its own initiative to address climate change, and is seeking ideas and statements of interest from those who may wish to participate. Under the National Climate Change Technology Initiative, DOE is considering funding research that could yield reductions or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions; greenhouse gas capture and sequestration; capture and conversion of greenhouse gases to some beneficial use; or enhanced monitoring and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, inventories, and fluxes. For now, DOE is just seeking outlines of ideas, concepts, technologies, or technical approaches that could meet the President's climate change goals, but if the initiative is pursued, it will involve a competitive solicitation involving the award of tens of millions of dollars over multiple years. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02245.htm. According to a letter sent in early September to President Bush by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, the high-priority items now being pursued by the initiative include hydrogen-based energy systems, biofuels, low-speed wind turbines, zero energy buildings, carbon sequestration, forest management, and agricultural land management. In a separate effort, the agencies are also aggressively pursing improvements in the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases program. See the letter on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Web site at: http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/climateletter.htm. As explained in that letter, the National Climate Change Technology Initiative is one tine of a three-pronged U.S. strategy to address climate change, the other two tines being the Climate Change Research Initiative and increased
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 11/27/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 27, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative San Francisco Launches Solar Initiative with 675-kW System BP Drops Thin-Film Products to Focus on Crystalline Silicon Casinos Help Bring Six Zero Energy Homes to New Jersey Geothermal Power Plant in Northern California Gains Approval New York Provides $250,000 for Energy Efficiency at Brewery *Site News Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Solar and Wind Industries Grow as Hydropower Drops *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project Four large energy companies announced last week their plan to contribute up to $225 million over the next ten years to support a new energy research project managed by Stanford University. The new Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) will develop innovative technologies to meet the world's growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GCEP is expecting to receive support from the ExxonMobil Corporation, the General Electric Company (GE), Schlumberger Limited, and E.ON, a European energy supplier. Stanford University expects to perform much of the research, but will also join with renowned institutions around the world to work with the sponsoring companies. The GCEP will identify the most promising technologies for low- emissions, high-efficiency energy supplies; identify the global barriers to deploying those technologies; conduct research into overcoming those barriers; identify potential solutions to the barriers; and share and publicize its results to a wide audience. With regard to energy efficiency and renewable energy, the GCEP's research agenda definitely includes renewable energy technologies, hydrogen, advanced transportation systems, and power storage and transmission technologies. However, the agenda also includes advanced nuclear power technologies, advanced uses of coal, and carbon sequestration. See the GCEP Web site (particularly the news release) at: http://gcep.stanford.edu/. As noted in the ExxonMobil press release, The announcement of the project comes as some scientists have begun calling for a research effort as ambitious as the Apollo project to address both energy needs and emission reductions. See the November 20th press release from ExxonMobil, as well as the press releases from GE and Schlumberger, at: http://www2.exxonmobil.com/corporate/, http://www.ge.com/stories/en/10877.html, and http://www.slb.com/press/newsroom/index.cfm?prid=13901. DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative DOE announced last week its intent to launch its own initiative to address climate change, and is seeking ideas and statements of interest from those who may wish to participate. Under the National Climate Change Technology Initiative, DOE is considering funding research that could yield reductions or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions; greenhouse gas capture and sequestration; capture and conversion of greenhouse gases to some beneficial use; or enhanced monitoring and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, inventories, and fluxes. For now, DOE is just seeking outlines of ideas, concepts, technologies, or technical approaches that could meet the President's climate change goals, but if the initiative is pursued, it will involve a competitive solicitation involving the award of tens of millions of dollars over multiple years. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02245.htm. According to a letter sent in early September to President Bush by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, the high-priority items now being pursued by the initiative include hydrogen-based energy systems, biofuels, low-speed wind turbines, zero energy buildings, carbon sequestration, forest management, and agricultural land management. In a separate effort, the agencies are also aggressively pursing improvements in the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases program. See the letter on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Web site at: http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/climateletter.htm. As explained in that letter, the National Climate Change Technology Initiative is one tine of a three-pronged U.S. strategy to address climate change, the other two tines being the Climate Change Research Initiative and increased
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 11/20/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 20, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events World's First Hydrogen Fuel and Power Station Now Operating Michigan's NextEnergy Center Site Earns Tax-Free Designation Agreement Will Bolster State, Federal Cooperation on Energy Japanese Solar Cell Firm Plans Plant in Memphis, Tennessee Unexpected Discovery Shows Promise for Better Solar Cells Seattle Narrowly Passes $1.75-Billion Monorail Measure Scientific American Honors Efficient, Renewable Technologies *Site News Powering the South *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates State Information on Solar and Wind Energy Use *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: In last week's edition, the article about solar power on the Moon included a sentence about how only half the sun receives sunlight at any one time, when of course we meant the moon, not the sun. By the way, the author of the moon-power study notes that his plan includes solar bases on opposing limbs of the moon, as seen from Earth, in order to provide a continuous source of solar power. He published more information on his proposal in an article in the April/May 2002 edition of The Industrial Physicist, available in PDF format only at: http://www.tipmagazine.com/tip/INPHFA/vol-8/iss-2/p12.pdf. World's First Hydrogen Fuel and Power Station Now Operating DOE announced on November 15th the opening of the world's first hydrogen energy station that can provide fuel for vehicles and also produce electricity. Producing both hydrogen fuel and electricity may be an attractive approach for future hydrogen merchants, who will be able to generate a steady revenue stream from electricity sales while their fuel sales to hydrogen vehicles ramp up. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the new $10.8-million station is the result of a private-public partnership among DOE, the City of Las Vegas, Plug Power Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Housed in the city's vehicle maintenance and operation service center, the new station combines an onsite hydrogen generator, compressor, liquid and gaseous hydrogen storage tanks, dispensing systems, and a stationary fuel cell. It is capable of dispensing hydrogen, hydrogen-enriched natural gas and compressed natural gas. DOE is also working with the city and NRG Technologies Inc. to convert municipal vehicles to operate on hydrogen. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02240.htm. For more information on DOE's Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program, see the program's Web site on EREN at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen_fuelcell.html. The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) is also building hydrogen infrastructure: The organization commissioned its first satellite hydrogen fueling system in late October. The new system, located in Richmond, California, is about 70 miles from the CaFCP headquarters and primary refueling facility in West Sacramento, so it extends the range over which the CaFCP's prototype fuel-cell vehicles can be driven. Stuart Energy manufactured and installed the fueling system, which uses electrolysis to generate hydrogen from water and includes a storage unit capable of holding 104 pounds of hydrogen. It is capable of fueling a small fleet of vehicles and requires only one or two minutes per refueling. The unit is the eighth hydrogen fueling station installed by Stuart Energy in North America, and the fourth in California. See the CaFCP and Stuart Energy press releases at: http://www.cafcp.org/releases/2002_10-30_sat_fuelsta.html and http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_oct30.html. Plug Power Inc. and Honda RD Company, Ltd. are aiming to let future fuel-cell vehicle owners supply their own hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The companies have agreed to jointly develop and test a home refueling system for fuel cell vehicles. See the October 17th press release on the Plug Power Web site at: http://www.plugpower.com/news/. Other recent hydrogen advances include a system to produce nearly pure hydrogen from methane or propane, a process to produce hydrogen from biomass while sequestering the carbon byproducts, and a hydride slurry system for hydrogen storage. See the announcements from MesoFuel, Inc.; Scientific Carbons, Inc.; and Safe Hydrogen LLC, respectively, at: http://www.mesofuel.com/news/pr2.asp, http://www.eprida.com/hydro/pr27082002.htm, and http://www.safehydrogen.com/about.html. Michigan's NextEnergy Center Site Earns Tax-Free Designation
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 11/20/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 20, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events World's First Hydrogen Fuel and Power Station Now Operating Michigan's NextEnergy Center Site Earns Tax-Free Designation Agreement Will Bolster State, Federal Cooperation on Energy Japanese Solar Cell Firm Plans Plant in Memphis, Tennessee Unexpected Discovery Shows Promise for Better Solar Cells Seattle Narrowly Passes $1.75-Billion Monorail Measure Scientific American Honors Efficient, Renewable Technologies *Site News Powering the South *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates State Information on Solar and Wind Energy Use *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: In last week's edition, the article about solar power on the Moon included a sentence about how only half the sun receives sunlight at any one time, when of course we meant the moon, not the sun. By the way, the author of the moon-power study notes that his plan includes solar bases on opposing limbs of the moon, as seen from Earth, in order to provide a continuous source of solar power. He published more information on his proposal in an article in the April/May 2002 edition of The Industrial Physicist, available in PDF format only at: http://www.tipmagazine.com/tip/INPHFA/vol-8/iss-2/p12.pdf. World's First Hydrogen Fuel and Power Station Now Operating DOE announced on November 15th the opening of the world's first hydrogen energy station that can provide fuel for vehicles and also produce electricity. Producing both hydrogen fuel and electricity may be an attractive approach for future hydrogen merchants, who will be able to generate a steady revenue stream from electricity sales while their fuel sales to hydrogen vehicles ramp up. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the new $10.8-million station is the result of a private-public partnership among DOE, the City of Las Vegas, Plug Power Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Housed in the city's vehicle maintenance and operation service center, the new station combines an onsite hydrogen generator, compressor, liquid and gaseous hydrogen storage tanks, dispensing systems, and a stationary fuel cell. It is capable of dispensing hydrogen, hydrogen-enriched natural gas and compressed natural gas. DOE is also working with the city and NRG Technologies Inc. to convert municipal vehicles to operate on hydrogen. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02240.htm. For more information on DOE's Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program, see the program's Web site on EREN at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen_fuelcell.html. The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) is also building hydrogen infrastructure: The organization commissioned its first satellite hydrogen fueling system in late October. The new system, located in Richmond, California, is about 70 miles from the CaFCP headquarters and primary refueling facility in West Sacramento, so it extends the range over which the CaFCP's prototype fuel-cell vehicles can be driven. Stuart Energy manufactured and installed the fueling system, which uses electrolysis to generate hydrogen from water and includes a storage unit capable of holding 104 pounds of hydrogen. It is capable of fueling a small fleet of vehicles and requires only one or two minutes per refueling. The unit is the eighth hydrogen fueling station installed by Stuart Energy in North America, and the fourth in California. See the CaFCP and Stuart Energy press releases at: http://www.cafcp.org/releases/2002_10-30_sat_fuelsta.html and http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_oct30.html. Plug Power Inc. and Honda RD Company, Ltd. are aiming to let future fuel-cell vehicle owners supply their own hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The companies have agreed to jointly develop and test a home refueling system for fuel cell vehicles. See the October 17th press release on the Plug Power Web site at: http://www.plugpower.com/news/. Other recent hydrogen advances include a system to produce nearly pure hydrogen from methane or propane, a process to produce hydrogen from biomass while sequestering the carbon byproducts, and a hydride slurry system for hydrogen storage. See the announcements from MesoFuel, Inc.; Scientific Carbons, Inc.; and Safe Hydrogen LLC, respectively, at: http://www.mesofuel.com/news/pr2.asp, http://www.eprida.com/hydro/pr27082002.htm, and http://www.safehydrogen.com/about.html. Michigan's NextEnergy Center Site Earns Tax-Free Designation
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 11/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events U.S. Navy Dedicates a 750-Kilowatt Solar Power System Company Proposes 12.5 Gigawatts of Wind at 17 Offshore Sites DOE Releases Its Strategic Plan for Efficiency, Renewables DOE Refocuses Truck Initiative and Unveils Hydrogen Roadmap Puget Sound Energy to Restructure Time-of-Use Pilot Ethanol Construction Boom Brings Michigan Its First Plant How About Solar Power on the Moon? *Site News Practical Ocean Energy Management Systems (POEMS) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Energy Analyses for Iraq and Afghanistan *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- U.S. Navy Dedicates a 750-Kilowatt Solar Power System The U.S. Navy announced last week that it has installed the largest federal solar power system to date at Naval Base Coronado, located in San Diego, California. The 750-kilowatt system generates enough electricity during the day to power 935 homes. The photovoltaic panels also form a half-mile-long covered parking structure in the naval base's parking lot, providing shading for more than 400 vehicles. The solar panels actually have a peak capacity of 924 kilowatts, but the system that connects the panels to the electrical grid will produce only 750 kilowatts. That system converts the direct current output from the panels into three-phase, 12-kilovolt power that is fed into the Navy's electrical distribution system. The system is expected to provide three percent of the base's peak summer electrical load. Installed through an Energy Savings Performance Contract with NORESCO, an energy services company, and designed, manufactured, and installed by PowerLight Corporation, the system is expected to save more than $288,000 in energy costs each year. See the November 6th press release and the accompanying fact sheet on the Navy Region Southwest Web site at: http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/Programs/PAO/News/NewsReleases.htm. In another part of San Diego County, much smaller solar power systems are providing a useful service to much different facilities: the learning centers at three Indian reservations. The Manzanita and La Posta bands of Mission Indians and the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians now have high-speed Internet access, thanks to a collaboration among San Diego State University's Mount Laguna Observatory, the Tribal Digital Village Network, and the High- Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN), an interdisciplinary project of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). A new microwave antenna at the observatory provides a connection between the UCSD broadband system and three solar-powered relays, which provide the final link to learning centers on each reservation. Each relay station is powered by a 320-watt solar power system with battery backup. See the HPWREN press release at: http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/news/021029.html. The installation brings the total number of Internet-connected reservations in San Diego County to 10. The county has 18 small Indian reservations, the most of any county in the United States. For more information, see the University of San Diego Web site at: http://www.sandiego.edu/nativeamerican/reservations.html. Company Proposes 12.5 Gigawatts of Wind at 17 Offshore Sites A relative newcomer among wind energy developers is aiming to be a leader in U.S. offshore wind power, with proposals in development for 17 sites along the east coast. Winergy LLC lists sites off the coasts of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia as potential locations for its wind facilities. Most of the proposed wind plants total hundreds of megawatts each, and three exceed 1000 megawatts in capacity. The largest, called Gulf Bank and located off the Maryland coast, is a whopping 1,821.6 megawatts in capacity. Just how many of these wind sites will actually be developed is anyone's guess, of course, but the company should earn some respect for just the sheer chutzpah of its proposals. The current list of proposed projects totals 12,552.8 megawatts, about equal in peak capacity to 12 average-sized nuclear power plants. And apparently, they're not done yet: According to the Winergy Web site, the company has identified a total of 22 sites for which it has begun the initial application process. The company acknowledges that the permitting process for each site is likely to take three to five years. See the Winergy Web site at: http://www.winergyllc.com/index.asp. Unfortunately, very little information
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 11/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events U.S. Navy Dedicates a 750-Kilowatt Solar Power System Company Proposes 12.5 Gigawatts of Wind at 17 Offshore Sites DOE Releases Its Strategic Plan for Efficiency, Renewables DOE Refocuses Truck Initiative and Unveils Hydrogen Roadmap Puget Sound Energy to Restructure Time-of-Use Pilot Ethanol Construction Boom Brings Michigan Its First Plant How About Solar Power on the Moon? *Site News Practical Ocean Energy Management Systems (POEMS) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Updates Energy Analyses for Iraq and Afghanistan *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- U.S. Navy Dedicates a 750-Kilowatt Solar Power System The U.S. Navy announced last week that it has installed the largest federal solar power system to date at Naval Base Coronado, located in San Diego, California. The 750-kilowatt system generates enough electricity during the day to power 935 homes. The photovoltaic panels also form a half-mile-long covered parking structure in the naval base's parking lot, providing shading for more than 400 vehicles. The solar panels actually have a peak capacity of 924 kilowatts, but the system that connects the panels to the electrical grid will produce only 750 kilowatts. That system converts the direct current output from the panels into three-phase, 12-kilovolt power that is fed into the Navy's electrical distribution system. The system is expected to provide three percent of the base's peak summer electrical load. Installed through an Energy Savings Performance Contract with NORESCO, an energy services company, and designed, manufactured, and installed by PowerLight Corporation, the system is expected to save more than $288,000 in energy costs each year. See the November 6th press release and the accompanying fact sheet on the Navy Region Southwest Web site at: http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/Programs/PAO/News/NewsReleases.htm. In another part of San Diego County, much smaller solar power systems are providing a useful service to much different facilities: the learning centers at three Indian reservations. The Manzanita and La Posta bands of Mission Indians and the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians now have high-speed Internet access, thanks to a collaboration among San Diego State University's Mount Laguna Observatory, the Tribal Digital Village Network, and the High- Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN), an interdisciplinary project of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). A new microwave antenna at the observatory provides a connection between the UCSD broadband system and three solar-powered relays, which provide the final link to learning centers on each reservation. Each relay station is powered by a 320-watt solar power system with battery backup. See the HPWREN press release at: http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/news/021029.html. The installation brings the total number of Internet-connected reservations in San Diego County to 10. The county has 18 small Indian reservations, the most of any county in the United States. For more information, see the University of San Diego Web site at: http://www.sandiego.edu/nativeamerican/reservations.html. Company Proposes 12.5 Gigawatts of Wind at 17 Offshore Sites A relative newcomer among wind energy developers is aiming to be a leader in U.S. offshore wind power, with proposals in development for 17 sites along the east coast. Winergy LLC lists sites off the coasts of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia as potential locations for its wind facilities. Most of the proposed wind plants total hundreds of megawatts each, and three exceed 1000 megawatts in capacity. The largest, called Gulf Bank and located off the Maryland coast, is a whopping 1,821.6 megawatts in capacity. Just how many of these wind sites will actually be developed is anyone's guess, of course, but the company should earn some respect for just the sheer chutzpah of its proposals. The current list of proposed projects totals 12,552.8 megawatts, about equal in peak capacity to 12 average-sized nuclear power plants. And apparently, they're not done yet: According to the Winergy Web site, the company has identified a total of 22 sites for which it has begun the initial application process. The company acknowledges that the permitting process for each site is likely to take three to five years. See the Winergy Web site at: http://www.winergyllc.com/index.asp. Unfortunately, very little information
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 11/06/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events First Phase of Five-Megawatt Arizona Solar Plant Dedicated China Buys Solar Cell Equipment Despite Industry Downturn Construction of Zero Energy Home Underway in Tucson, Arizona DOE Marks Weatherization Program's 26th Anniversary Several New Geothermal Plants Slated for Nevada ZAP Offers to Buy Think Electric Vehicles Assets from Ford Portland Utility Agrees to Remove 22-Megawatt Hydro Project *Site News Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) *Energy Facts and Tips Voters are Increasing Deciding Transportation Issues *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- First Phase of Five-Megawatt Arizona Solar Plant Dedicated APS, Arizona's largest electric utility, dedicated the first phase of its Prescott Airport Solar Power Plant last week. The new solar facility is currently online with a capacity of 450 kilowatts, to be increased to 1.5 megawatts by March 2003. But within the next three to five years, the utility plans to expand the Prescott facility to 5 megawatts, which will place it among the largest in the world. See the October 30th press release on the APS Web site at: http://www.aps.com/general_info/newsrelease/default.html?year=2002. A number of solar power installations were completed in October, including one 59-kilowatt and one 56-kilowatt solar power system installed in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. With funding from Clean Air Communities, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC), PowerLight Corporation installed the systems on two GMDC buildings, including advanced zinc-bromide battery systems for energy storage. See the Clean Air Communities press release at: http://www.cleanaircommunities.org/press/021007-gmdc.html. The City of San Diego, California, is also employing solar energy, having installed its first solar power system on the city's Environmental Services Operations Station building in October. The city claims the 65-kilowatt system will generate enough electricity annually to meet the building's electricity needs. See the city's press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.sannet.gov/environmental-services/news/pdf/021018.pdf. Details are also emerging on the fate of $2.6 million in grants awarded last month by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. The grants were awarded to six organizations that will deploy roughly 250 solar power systems in the state. One of those grants, for $455,700, went to an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The MIT Community Solar Power Initiative will install 40 solar installations on the MIT campus as well as on schools, homes, and businesses in Cambridge and the nearby towns of Watertown, Arlington, Lexington, and Waltham. See the MIT press release at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/nr/2002/solar.html. All of which should provide plenty to talk about at the 7th Annual Photovoltaic Experience Conference, also called UPEx '02. The conference covers the latest issues relating to solar electricity, including business models used by utilities, solar power's integration into new building construction, and its use as a distributed generation resource. The conference runs November 13th to 15th in Austin, Texas, and is being held as a joint meeting with the Texas Renewables Conference and in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council's Annual Conference and Exhibition. For more information, see the Solar Electric Power Association Web site at: http://www.solarelectricpower.org/upex/default.cfm. China Buys Solar Cell Equipment Despite Industry Downturn A growing interest in renewable energy in China has led a Chinese company to purchase a solar cell manufacturing line from GT Solar Technologies, a U.S. company. Baoding Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd. of Baoding, China, ordered the cell fabrication equipment as a follow-up to its purchase of a silicon wafer manufacturing line earlier this year. The new equipment will allow the Chinese company to convert its silicon wafers into complete solar cells. Since GT Solar also sells equipment to turn those cells into complete solar modules, we might expect more news from the two companies in the future. See the GT Solar press release at: http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_11_01.asp. Unfortunately, China may be bucking the trend: According to Shell Solar, the worldwide demand for solar cells is down this year. After four years
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 11/06/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events First Phase of Five-Megawatt Arizona Solar Plant Dedicated China Buys Solar Cell Equipment Despite Industry Downturn Construction of Zero Energy Home Underway in Tucson, Arizona DOE Marks Weatherization Program's 26th Anniversary Several New Geothermal Plants Slated for Nevada ZAP Offers to Buy Think Electric Vehicles Assets from Ford Portland Utility Agrees to Remove 22-Megawatt Hydro Project *Site News Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) *Energy Facts and Tips Voters are Increasing Deciding Transportation Issues *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- First Phase of Five-Megawatt Arizona Solar Plant Dedicated APS, Arizona's largest electric utility, dedicated the first phase of its Prescott Airport Solar Power Plant last week. The new solar facility is currently online with a capacity of 450 kilowatts, to be increased to 1.5 megawatts by March 2003. But within the next three to five years, the utility plans to expand the Prescott facility to 5 megawatts, which will place it among the largest in the world. See the October 30th press release on the APS Web site at: http://www.aps.com/general_info/newsrelease/default.html?year=2002. A number of solar power installations were completed in October, including one 59-kilowatt and one 56-kilowatt solar power system installed in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. With funding from Clean Air Communities, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC), PowerLight Corporation installed the systems on two GMDC buildings, including advanced zinc-bromide battery systems for energy storage. See the Clean Air Communities press release at: http://www.cleanaircommunities.org/press/021007-gmdc.html. The City of San Diego, California, is also employing solar energy, having installed its first solar power system on the city's Environmental Services Operations Station building in October. The city claims the 65-kilowatt system will generate enough electricity annually to meet the building's electricity needs. See the city's press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.sannet.gov/environmental-services/news/pdf/021018.pdf. Details are also emerging on the fate of $2.6 million in grants awarded last month by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. The grants were awarded to six organizations that will deploy roughly 250 solar power systems in the state. One of those grants, for $455,700, went to an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The MIT Community Solar Power Initiative will install 40 solar installations on the MIT campus as well as on schools, homes, and businesses in Cambridge and the nearby towns of Watertown, Arlington, Lexington, and Waltham. See the MIT press release at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/nr/2002/solar.html. All of which should provide plenty to talk about at the 7th Annual Photovoltaic Experience Conference, also called UPEx '02. The conference covers the latest issues relating to solar electricity, including business models used by utilities, solar power's integration into new building construction, and its use as a distributed generation resource. The conference runs November 13th to 15th in Austin, Texas, and is being held as a joint meeting with the Texas Renewables Conference and in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council's Annual Conference and Exhibition. For more information, see the Solar Electric Power Association Web site at: http://www.solarelectricpower.org/upex/default.cfm. China Buys Solar Cell Equipment Despite Industry Downturn A growing interest in renewable energy in China has led a Chinese company to purchase a solar cell manufacturing line from GT Solar Technologies, a U.S. company. Baoding Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd. of Baoding, China, ordered the cell fabrication equipment as a follow-up to its purchase of a silicon wafer manufacturing line earlier this year. The new equipment will allow the Chinese company to convert its silicon wafers into complete solar cells. Since GT Solar also sells equipment to turn those cells into complete solar modules, we might expect more news from the two companies in the future. See the GT Solar press release at: http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_11_01.asp. Unfortunately, China may be bucking the trend: According to Shell Solar, the worldwide demand for solar cells is down this year. After four years
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 10/30/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 30, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events DOE and EPA Release Fuel Economy Guide for Model Year 2003 Automotive Electronics Companies Advance Hybrid Technologies Automotive Companies Pave Way for LEDs and Smart Windows Five Agencies Save $100 Million and Earn Presidential Awards New Superconductor Wire Beats High Current-Carrying Goal Three California Wind Facilities Caught Up in Enron Scandal *Site News Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) *Energy Facts and Tips Report: U.S. Energy Use Dropped 2.4 Percent in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: In last week's edition, we incorrectly identified PowerLight Corporation as a winner of an RD 100 award, when in fact it was AstroPower, Inc. that has developed a high-throughput production process for solar cells. Ten-letter words obviously confuse our editor -- a difficulty for which he has repeatedly apologized. See the AstroPower press release about the award at: http://www.astropower.com/apex_reward.html. DOE and EPA Release Fuel Economy Guide for Model Year 2003 DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released yesterday the estimated fuel efficiencies for all U.S. passenger vehicles for Model Year 2003. The Fuel Economy Guide 2003 ranks the vehicles by fuel efficiency within each class, and the online version allows users to make side-by-side comparisons of vehicles. For 2003, hybrid electric vehicles continue to lead the list of fuel-efficient vehicles, with the manual and automatic versions of the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Toyota Prius topping the list. Interestingly enough, diesel-fueled Volkswagens follow close behind the hybrids, and among conventional gasoline-fueled vehicles, only the Toyota Echo lands on the top-ten list. But if you own a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, or Maserati, you just might find your vehicle at the bottom of the list. See the DOE and EPA press releases at: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/headline2_102902.htm and http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02230.htm. The Fuel Economy Guide Web site also provides information about alternative-fueled vehicles and all-electric vehicles, including the latest news on federal tax incentives for these vehicles. See the Web site at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/. While helping people find the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today, DOE is also looking ahead to the future. On November 12th and 13th, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham will host the Global Forum on Personal Transportation in Dearborn, Michigan. Secretary Abraham has invited about 100 senior government, industry, and academic officials, including representatives of the automotive, hydrogen, energy, and fuel cell industries. The international forum will address the future of energy-efficient personal transportation and include representatives from Japan, Germany, France, Belgium, India, China, Mexico, Canada, Austria, and the Netherlands. The forum will open with a plenary session followed by discussion groups focusing on such topics as fuel cell vehicles, future fuel options, improvements in internal combustion engines, and the cost of energy efficiency throughout the world. Secretary Abraham will deliver the luncheon keynote address on November 12th. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02225.htm. Automotive Electronics Companies Advance Hybrid Technologies While U.S. car companies continue to lag behind their Japanese competitors regarding hybrid-electric vehicles, several U.S. companies that specialize in automotive electronics appear to be making significant advances. That progress was evident at last week's Convergence 2002, an automotive electronics conference held in Detroit, Michigan. Dana Corporation and Delphi Corporation both introduced systems that integrate a starter and alternator, allowing vehicles to automatically halt the engine when at a stop, and Paice Corporation introduced high-voltage power semiconductors that it claims will make more efficient, high-voltage hybrid vehicle systems a practical reality. Among other energy-saving technologies introduced at the conference were electronic steering systems and intelligent cooling and lubrication systems. See the Convergence 2002 press releases at: http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/CONVERGE But don't start thinking that the U.S. car companies aren't contributing as well: In early October, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation announced
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 10/30/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 30, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events DOE and EPA Release Fuel Economy Guide for Model Year 2003 Automotive Electronics Companies Advance Hybrid Technologies Automotive Companies Pave Way for LEDs and Smart Windows Five Agencies Save $100 Million and Earn Presidential Awards New Superconductor Wire Beats High Current-Carrying Goal Three California Wind Facilities Caught Up in Enron Scandal *Site News Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) *Energy Facts and Tips Report: U.S. Energy Use Dropped 2.4 Percent in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: In last week's edition, we incorrectly identified PowerLight Corporation as a winner of an RD 100 award, when in fact it was AstroPower, Inc. that has developed a high-throughput production process for solar cells. Ten-letter words obviously confuse our editor -- a difficulty for which he has repeatedly apologized. See the AstroPower press release about the award at: http://www.astropower.com/apex_reward.html. DOE and EPA Release Fuel Economy Guide for Model Year 2003 DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released yesterday the estimated fuel efficiencies for all U.S. passenger vehicles for Model Year 2003. The Fuel Economy Guide 2003 ranks the vehicles by fuel efficiency within each class, and the online version allows users to make side-by-side comparisons of vehicles. For 2003, hybrid electric vehicles continue to lead the list of fuel-efficient vehicles, with the manual and automatic versions of the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Toyota Prius topping the list. Interestingly enough, diesel-fueled Volkswagens follow close behind the hybrids, and among conventional gasoline-fueled vehicles, only the Toyota Echo lands on the top-ten list. But if you own a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, or Maserati, you just might find your vehicle at the bottom of the list. See the DOE and EPA press releases at: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/headline2_102902.htm and http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02230.htm. The Fuel Economy Guide Web site also provides information about alternative-fueled vehicles and all-electric vehicles, including the latest news on federal tax incentives for these vehicles. See the Web site at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/. While helping people find the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today, DOE is also looking ahead to the future. On November 12th and 13th, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham will host the Global Forum on Personal Transportation in Dearborn, Michigan. Secretary Abraham has invited about 100 senior government, industry, and academic officials, including representatives of the automotive, hydrogen, energy, and fuel cell industries. The international forum will address the future of energy-efficient personal transportation and include representatives from Japan, Germany, France, Belgium, India, China, Mexico, Canada, Austria, and the Netherlands. The forum will open with a plenary session followed by discussion groups focusing on such topics as fuel cell vehicles, future fuel options, improvements in internal combustion engines, and the cost of energy efficiency throughout the world. Secretary Abraham will deliver the luncheon keynote address on November 12th. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02225.htm. Automotive Electronics Companies Advance Hybrid Technologies While U.S. car companies continue to lag behind their Japanese competitors regarding hybrid-electric vehicles, several U.S. companies that specialize in automotive electronics appear to be making significant advances. That progress was evident at last week's Convergence 2002, an automotive electronics conference held in Detroit, Michigan. Dana Corporation and Delphi Corporation both introduced systems that integrate a starter and alternator, allowing vehicles to automatically halt the engine when at a stop, and Paice Corporation introduced high-voltage power semiconductors that it claims will make more efficient, high-voltage hybrid vehicle systems a practical reality. Among other energy-saving technologies introduced at the conference were electronic steering systems and intelligent cooling and lubrication systems. See the Convergence 2002 press releases at: http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/CONVERGE But don't start thinking that the U.S. car companies aren't contributing as well: In early October, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation announced
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 10/23/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 23, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New Large Wind Plants Slated for New Mexico, California, Iowa, and Colorado Facing Increasing Interest, BLM Announces New Wind Policy DOE National Laboratories Garner 24 RD 100 Awards DOE Secretary Abraham Hosts Renewable Forum in South Dakota Two Advanced Battery Technologies Show Commercial Promise Solar-Powered Aircraft Successfully Surveys Coffee Fields *Site News Renewable Energy Atlas of the West *Energy Facts and Tips Arrest Proves Energy Trading Role in California Power Crisis *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New Large Wind Plants Slated for New Mexico, California, Iowa, and Colorado New Mexico will gain its first large wind power plant late in 2003, announced Public Service of New Mexico (PNM) on Monday. The 204-megawatt New Mexico Wind Energy Center will be built, owned, and operated by FPL Energy, LLC, a leading wind plant developer. The project will feature 135 1.5-megawatt wind turbines and will span the borders of Quay and De Baca counties, about 50 miles west from the center of the state's eastern border. PNM intends to sell some of the wind power to its customers through a green power program, selling any excess wind power on the wholesale power market. Construction will begin this year on the facility, which will generate enough electricity to supply 94,000 homes in the state. See the PNM press release at: http://www.pnm.com/news/1021_wind.htm. In addition to the New Mexico Wind Energy Center, FPL Energy has several projects in the works, including large wind facilities in northern California and Iowa. In California, the High Winds Energy Center, a 150-megawatt wind plant, is expected to begin commercial operation in mid-2003, providing electricity to PacifiCorp Power Marketing Inc. In Iowa, the 98-megawatt Hancock County Wind Energy Center will begin operation this year; Interstate Power and Light Company and several local electric cooperatives and municipal utilities will buy the wind power. Hancock County is located in the north-central part of Iowa, just west of Mason City. The area is already populated by small wind projects in Algona and Forest City, and a 42-megawatt wind project near Clear Lake. See the Iowa Wind Energy Project page on the American Wind Energy Association Web site at: http://www.awea.org/projects/iowa.html. FPL Energy will also add 37 megawatts to its Stateline Clean Energy Center, located on the Washington-Oregon border, increasing the total capacity of that wind facility to 300 megawatts. That project will be complete by year-end. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/news/2002/contents/02113.shtml. Colorado will join the greater-than-100-megawatts wind club next year, thanks to an order issued in early October by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Under the order, Xcel Energy will contract with GE Wind Energy, LLC to build a 162-megawatt wind facility near Lamar in southeastern Colorado. The Colorado PUC originally ordered Xcel Energy to pursue a wind facility in February 2001, but the project was jeopardized when Enron Wind Corporation's parent company, Enron Corporation, filed for bankruptcy. A new contract was negotiated successfully after GE Power Systems purchased Enron Wind and committed to move forward with the project. Several parties, including the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, participated in the contract settlement. See the Land and Water Fund press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.lawfund.org/media/pdf/Lamar_Settlement_Release.pdf The full order is available, in PDF format only, on the Colorado PUC Web site at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/puc/decisions/2002/C02-1122_02A-438E.pdf Meanwhile, on the East Coast, a scientific data tower is now being installed on Horseshoe Shoal, located off the coast of Massachusetts in Nantucket Sound. The structure will provide essential data for a proposed 420-megawatt offshore wind plant proposed by Cape Wind Associates, LLC. On October 8th, the data tower installation overcame a legal challenge that sought to halt the project. See the Cape Wind press releases at: http://www.capewind.org/reporting/prele02.shtml. Facing Increasing Interest, BLM Announces New Wind Policy With companies showing a growing interest in developing new wind energy projects in the West, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a new wind energy policy on Thursday. The new policy provides guidance on the timely
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 10/23/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 23, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New Large Wind Plants Slated for New Mexico, California, Iowa, and Colorado Facing Increasing Interest, BLM Announces New Wind Policy DOE National Laboratories Garner 24 RD 100 Awards DOE Secretary Abraham Hosts Renewable Forum in South Dakota Two Advanced Battery Technologies Show Commercial Promise Solar-Powered Aircraft Successfully Surveys Coffee Fields *Site News Renewable Energy Atlas of the West *Energy Facts and Tips Arrest Proves Energy Trading Role in California Power Crisis *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New Large Wind Plants Slated for New Mexico, California, Iowa, and Colorado New Mexico will gain its first large wind power plant late in 2003, announced Public Service of New Mexico (PNM) on Monday. The 204-megawatt New Mexico Wind Energy Center will be built, owned, and operated by FPL Energy, LLC, a leading wind plant developer. The project will feature 135 1.5-megawatt wind turbines and will span the borders of Quay and De Baca counties, about 50 miles west from the center of the state's eastern border. PNM intends to sell some of the wind power to its customers through a green power program, selling any excess wind power on the wholesale power market. Construction will begin this year on the facility, which will generate enough electricity to supply 94,000 homes in the state. See the PNM press release at: http://www.pnm.com/news/1021_wind.htm. In addition to the New Mexico Wind Energy Center, FPL Energy has several projects in the works, including large wind facilities in northern California and Iowa. In California, the High Winds Energy Center, a 150-megawatt wind plant, is expected to begin commercial operation in mid-2003, providing electricity to PacifiCorp Power Marketing Inc. In Iowa, the 98-megawatt Hancock County Wind Energy Center will begin operation this year; Interstate Power and Light Company and several local electric cooperatives and municipal utilities will buy the wind power. Hancock County is located in the north-central part of Iowa, just west of Mason City. The area is already populated by small wind projects in Algona and Forest City, and a 42-megawatt wind project near Clear Lake. See the Iowa Wind Energy Project page on the American Wind Energy Association Web site at: http://www.awea.org/projects/iowa.html. FPL Energy will also add 37 megawatts to its Stateline Clean Energy Center, located on the Washington-Oregon border, increasing the total capacity of that wind facility to 300 megawatts. That project will be complete by year-end. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/news/2002/contents/02113.shtml. Colorado will join the greater-than-100-megawatts wind club next year, thanks to an order issued in early October by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Under the order, Xcel Energy will contract with GE Wind Energy, LLC to build a 162-megawatt wind facility near Lamar in southeastern Colorado. The Colorado PUC originally ordered Xcel Energy to pursue a wind facility in February 2001, but the project was jeopardized when Enron Wind Corporation's parent company, Enron Corporation, filed for bankruptcy. A new contract was negotiated successfully after GE Power Systems purchased Enron Wind and committed to move forward with the project. Several parties, including the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, participated in the contract settlement. See the Land and Water Fund press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.lawfund.org/media/pdf/Lamar_Settlement_Release.pdf The full order is available, in PDF format only, on the Colorado PUC Web site at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/puc/decisions/2002/C02-1122_02A-438E.pdf Meanwhile, on the East Coast, a scientific data tower is now being installed on Horseshoe Shoal, located off the coast of Massachusetts in Nantucket Sound. The structure will provide essential data for a proposed 420-megawatt offshore wind plant proposed by Cape Wind Associates, LLC. On October 8th, the data tower installation overcame a legal challenge that sought to halt the project. See the Cape Wind press releases at: http://www.capewind.org/reporting/prele02.shtml. Facing Increasing Interest, BLM Announces New Wind Policy With companies showing a growing interest in developing new wind energy projects in the West, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a new wind energy policy on Thursday. The new policy provides guidance on the timely
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 10/16/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 16, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New 48-Megawatt Wind Plant Begins Operation in Washington Washington State Organizations Buy 10 Percent Green Power Two New England States Provide $11 Million for Solar Power Crowder College Wins People's Choice as Solar Decathlon Ends Energy Star Program Earns Award and Launches New Campaign General Motors Investigates Energy-Efficient Metal Casting Twelve Ethanol Plants to Cut Air Emissions in Minnesota *Site News Biobased Manufacturers Association (BMA) *Energy Facts and Tips Reliability Group: U.S. Power Supplies are Adequate to 2005 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New 48-Megawatt Wind Plant Begins Operation in Washington The Nine Canyon Wind Project began operating in late September, adding 48 megawatts of new wind power capacity to the Pacific Northwest's power grid. Located about eight miles southeast of Kennewick, Washington, near the Oregon border, the new facility consists of 37 wind turbines, each capable of generating 1.3 megawatts of power. Bonus A/S, a Danish company, manufactured the wind turbines, and Renewable Energy Systems developed the project. Energy Northwest owns and operates the wind power plant, which is providing power to eight Washington Public Utility Districts (PUDs). Benton PUD, one of the eight power purchasers, also built an electrical substation and a four-mile transmission line to connect the new facility to the regional power grid. See the Energy Northwest press release at: http://www.energy-northwest.com/Information/09.25.02.html. For more information on the Nine Canyon Wind Project, see the project description on the Energy Northwest Web site at: http://www.energy-northwest.com/NewFiles/NineCanyon.html. Washington State Organizations Buy 10 Percent Green Power With a large and growing wind power capacity in the Pacific Northwest, a number of organizations are signing up to buy wind power, including DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The laboratory is buying 8.8 million kilowatt-hours of wind- generated electricity this fiscal year -- enough to meet 10 percent of PNNL's energy needs. PNNL's purchase of wind power from the 263-megawatt Stateline Wind Power Project will increase the laboratory's total use of renewable energy to 13.7 percent of its energy use. See the PNNL press release at: http://www.pnl.gov/news/2002/02-32.htm. The Clark County government in southwest Washington State is also buying 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Clark Public Utilities announced in late September that the county government has become its largest purchaser of green power, buying 120,600 kilowatt-hours each month through the utility's Green Lights program. See the September 25th press release by selecting News Releases on the Clark Public Utilities Web site at: http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/events.html. See also the Clark Public Utilities Green Lights program at: http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/green_lights.htm. Green power purchases in the Pacific Northwest have more than tripled since last year. A report released last month by the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) found that the region's retail electricity customers are now buying enough green power to equal the annual output of more than 56 megawatts of wind turbines. See the RNP report at: http://www.rnp.org/htmls/pr_PwrChcs3.htm. And there's plenty of room for more: according to a recent report from the RAND Corporation, the Pacific Northwest could use renewable energy and energy efficiency to replace 20 percent of the projected growth in natural gas power plants over the next 20 years, with minimal impacts on the region's economy. The RAND report accounts for the availability of intermittent resources like the sun and wind, concluding that 1,000 megawatts of new solar capacity and more than 2,200 megawatts of new wind capacity could be built in the region. Combined with energy efficiency improvements, the diversified energy portfolio causes only a 0.5 percent decrease in the region's gross product over the 20-year period. See the RAND report at: http://www.rand.org/hot/press.02/electric.html. Two New England States Provide $11 Million for Solar Power The organizations that are promoting renewable energy in Connecticut and Massachusetts both announced new programs last week, providing a total of $11 million to fund solar power advances in the two New England states. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 10/16/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 16, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New 48-Megawatt Wind Plant Begins Operation in Washington Washington State Organizations Buy 10 Percent Green Power Two New England States Provide $11 Million for Solar Power Crowder College Wins People's Choice as Solar Decathlon Ends Energy Star Program Earns Award and Launches New Campaign General Motors Investigates Energy-Efficient Metal Casting Twelve Ethanol Plants to Cut Air Emissions in Minnesota *Site News Biobased Manufacturers Association (BMA) *Energy Facts and Tips Reliability Group: U.S. Power Supplies are Adequate to 2005 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New 48-Megawatt Wind Plant Begins Operation in Washington The Nine Canyon Wind Project began operating in late September, adding 48 megawatts of new wind power capacity to the Pacific Northwest's power grid. Located about eight miles southeast of Kennewick, Washington, near the Oregon border, the new facility consists of 37 wind turbines, each capable of generating 1.3 megawatts of power. Bonus A/S, a Danish company, manufactured the wind turbines, and Renewable Energy Systems developed the project. Energy Northwest owns and operates the wind power plant, which is providing power to eight Washington Public Utility Districts (PUDs). Benton PUD, one of the eight power purchasers, also built an electrical substation and a four-mile transmission line to connect the new facility to the regional power grid. See the Energy Northwest press release at: http://www.energy-northwest.com/Information/09.25.02.html. For more information on the Nine Canyon Wind Project, see the project description on the Energy Northwest Web site at: http://www.energy-northwest.com/NewFiles/NineCanyon.html. Washington State Organizations Buy 10 Percent Green Power With a large and growing wind power capacity in the Pacific Northwest, a number of organizations are signing up to buy wind power, including DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The laboratory is buying 8.8 million kilowatt-hours of wind- generated electricity this fiscal year -- enough to meet 10 percent of PNNL's energy needs. PNNL's purchase of wind power from the 263-megawatt Stateline Wind Power Project will increase the laboratory's total use of renewable energy to 13.7 percent of its energy use. See the PNNL press release at: http://www.pnl.gov/news/2002/02-32.htm. The Clark County government in southwest Washington State is also buying 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Clark Public Utilities announced in late September that the county government has become its largest purchaser of green power, buying 120,600 kilowatt-hours each month through the utility's Green Lights program. See the September 25th press release by selecting News Releases on the Clark Public Utilities Web site at: http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/events.html. See also the Clark Public Utilities Green Lights program at: http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/green_lights.htm. Green power purchases in the Pacific Northwest have more than tripled since last year. A report released last month by the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) found that the region's retail electricity customers are now buying enough green power to equal the annual output of more than 56 megawatts of wind turbines. See the RNP report at: http://www.rnp.org/htmls/pr_PwrChcs3.htm. And there's plenty of room for more: according to a recent report from the RAND Corporation, the Pacific Northwest could use renewable energy and energy efficiency to replace 20 percent of the projected growth in natural gas power plants over the next 20 years, with minimal impacts on the region's economy. The RAND report accounts for the availability of intermittent resources like the sun and wind, concluding that 1,000 megawatts of new solar capacity and more than 2,200 megawatts of new wind capacity could be built in the region. Combined with energy efficiency improvements, the diversified energy portfolio causes only a 0.5 percent decrease in the region's gross product over the 20-year period. See the RAND report at: http://www.rand.org/hot/press.02/electric.html. Two New England States Provide $11 Million for Solar Power The organizations that are promoting renewable energy in Connecticut and Massachusetts both announced new programs last week, providing a total of $11 million to fund solar power advances in the two New England states. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 10/9/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 9, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events University of Colorado Takes First Place in Solar Decathlon DOE Extends Its Partnership with Architects on Buildings Green Power Leaders Named as New Deals Announced DaimlerChrysler to Launch Fuel-Cell Mercedes-Benzes in 2003 California Goal: 600,000 Natural Gas Vehicles by 2012 California and New York Extend Their Net Metering Laws *Site News BioBased Information System (BIS) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Expects Heating Bills to Increase Up to $300 This Winter *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- University of Colorado Takes First Place in Solar Decathlon The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) won first place in DOE's Solar Decathlon competition on Saturday, officially bringing an end to the 10-day competition. The University of Virginia placed second in the competition, and Auburn University came in third. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02212.htm The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. Fourteen teams from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico brought their solar homes to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the competition, which ran from September 26th through October 5th. As the winning team, CU most successfully blended aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and efficiency in its solar-powered home. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. After taking an early lead in the competition, CU further cemented its lead on Thursday by tying with Crowder College for the most amount of points in Engineering Design, which honors excellence in the design of lighting, refrigeration, and heating and air conditioning systems and the setup and operation of a home-based business. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earned second place and the University of Maryland placed third. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02209.htm As the name implies, the Solar Decathlon included 10 events on which each team was judged. CU won the Graphics and Communication contest, Virginia Polytechnic Institute took first place in the Design Presentation and Simulation contest, and the University of Virginia, the second-place winner overall, won the Design and Livability contest. See last week's newsletter for more details on those competitions. The remaining contests were based on energy performance. Five teams -- Auburn University, Crowder College, CU, the University of Maryland, and the University of Virginia -- all achieved the maximum number of points in the Energy Balance competition, which measured whether each house was able to supply its electrical needs throughout the competition. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University took first place in the Getting Around competition, which involved running errands in an electric car that was charged using excess power from their house. The Engineering Design results mentioned above contributed part of the points for each of the remaining competitions, which were also judged on performance and energy efficiency: CU won the Comfort Zone contest by keeping its house at a comfortable temperature and humidity level, the University of Missouri-Rolla/Rolla Technical Institute won the Refrigeration contest, the University of Maryland won the Hot Water contest, and Crowder College won both the Lighting and Home Business contests. See the team rankings and contest descriptions on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/team_rankings.html and http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/contests.html. DOE Extends Its Partnership with Architects on Buildings DOE and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) signed an agreement on October 4th that continues and expands their partnership on DOE's buildings programs. DOE and AIA will continue their joint work by creating resource-efficient buildings; encouraging improvements in the quality of indoor environment and occupant productivity; advocating an increased use of renewable, clean energy sources; working to reduce the environmental impact of buildings; and promoting global economic opportunities through internationally recognized high-performance designs and energy- efficient structures. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02211.htm. Green Power
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 10/9/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 9, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events University of Colorado Takes First Place in Solar Decathlon DOE Extends Its Partnership with Architects on Buildings Green Power Leaders Named as New Deals Announced DaimlerChrysler to Launch Fuel-Cell Mercedes-Benzes in 2003 California Goal: 600,000 Natural Gas Vehicles by 2012 California and New York Extend Their Net Metering Laws *Site News BioBased Information System (BIS) *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Expects Heating Bills to Increase Up to $300 This Winter *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- University of Colorado Takes First Place in Solar Decathlon The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) won first place in DOE's Solar Decathlon competition on Saturday, officially bringing an end to the 10-day competition. The University of Virginia placed second in the competition, and Auburn University came in third. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02212.htm The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. Fourteen teams from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico brought their solar homes to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the competition, which ran from September 26th through October 5th. As the winning team, CU most successfully blended aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and efficiency in its solar-powered home. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. After taking an early lead in the competition, CU further cemented its lead on Thursday by tying with Crowder College for the most amount of points in Engineering Design, which honors excellence in the design of lighting, refrigeration, and heating and air conditioning systems and the setup and operation of a home-based business. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earned second place and the University of Maryland placed third. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02209.htm As the name implies, the Solar Decathlon included 10 events on which each team was judged. CU won the Graphics and Communication contest, Virginia Polytechnic Institute took first place in the Design Presentation and Simulation contest, and the University of Virginia, the second-place winner overall, won the Design and Livability contest. See last week's newsletter for more details on those competitions. The remaining contests were based on energy performance. Five teams -- Auburn University, Crowder College, CU, the University of Maryland, and the University of Virginia -- all achieved the maximum number of points in the Energy Balance competition, which measured whether each house was able to supply its electrical needs throughout the competition. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University took first place in the Getting Around competition, which involved running errands in an electric car that was charged using excess power from their house. The Engineering Design results mentioned above contributed part of the points for each of the remaining competitions, which were also judged on performance and energy efficiency: CU won the Comfort Zone contest by keeping its house at a comfortable temperature and humidity level, the University of Missouri-Rolla/Rolla Technical Institute won the Refrigeration contest, the University of Maryland won the Hot Water contest, and Crowder College won both the Lighting and Home Business contests. See the team rankings and contest descriptions on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/team_rankings.html and http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/contests.html. DOE Extends Its Partnership with Architects on Buildings DOE and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) signed an agreement on October 4th that continues and expands their partnership on DOE's buildings programs. DOE and AIA will continue their joint work by creating resource-efficient buildings; encouraging improvements in the quality of indoor environment and occupant productivity; advocating an increased use of renewable, clean energy sources; working to reduce the environmental impact of buildings; and promoting global economic opportunities through internationally recognized high-performance designs and energy- efficient structures. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/octpr/pr02211.htm. Green Power
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 10/02/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 2, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events University of Colorado Takes Early Lead in Solar Decathlon National Tour of Solar Buildings Comes to You on October 5th DOE Grants to Help Meet U.S. Goal of One Million Solar Roofs DOE Awards $676,778 to D.C. for Weatherization GM Unveils Hywire Fuel-Cell Car, Carbon-Fiber-Bodied Cars Nevada Geothermal Leases Sold; New California Plant Proposed Kansas Town Demonstrates Water, Energy Savings with Washers *Site News Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Lauds Companies for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- University of Colorado Takes Early Lead in Solar Decathlon The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) has taken an early lead in the Solar Decathlon competition, now underway in Washington, D.C. At press time on Tuesday evening, CU held a 37-point lead over second-placed Auburn University, which in turn was holding a scant 22-point lead over third-seated University of Virginia. The competition remains tight, with six teams within 100 points of first place, and the constantly updated scores can shift the team rankings rapidly. See the Scoring Summary on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/cfm/index.cfm. The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. Fourteen teams from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico have brought their solar homes to the National Mall for the competition, which began on September 26th and continues through October 5th. The winning team will be the one that most successfully blends aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and efficiency in its solar-powered home. As the name implies, the Solar Decathlon includes 10 events on which each team will be judged. Surprisingly, CU placed in only one of the three events that have been completed, winning the Graphics and Communication contest; Auburn University came in second and Crowder College placed third. At present, CU appears to be holding the lead due to the ongoing energy performance of the team's house. In the other contests, Virginia Polytechnic Institute took first place in Design Presentation and Simulation, followed in turn by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland. The University of Virginia, currently in third place, won the Design and Livability contest, a high-scoring event that was judged by a panel of nationally known architects. The University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez placed second in the event, and the University of Texas at Austin came in third. See the DOE press releases regarding all of these contests on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/media.html. Two weeks ago, this newsletter mentioned the daunting task of transporting all the solar houses to the nation's capital. Lest you think we were exaggerating, check out the Contest Diaries now posted on the Web site. Among other things, you'll learn about the logistic challenges of oversized truck loads and how the University of Puerto Rico's house had to dodge a Caribbean storm! Meanwhile, the site continues to be updated daily with new photos, and -- thanks to some fancy instrumentation and wireless Web technology -- the team rankings are updated every fifteen minutes based on energy measurements taken throughout each of the houses. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. Speaking of Caribbean storms, Hurricane Isidore brought some rain to the competition on Friday but otherwise passed by without incident, and Hurricane Lili appears unlikely to affect the competition. High temperatures may pose a greater challenge for the decathletes, as temperatures today are expected to peak in the high 80s -- we'll see which teams can keep their cool! See the Weather Channel forecast at: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USDC0001. National Tour of Solar Buildings Comes to You on October 5th While the Solar Decathlon represents the best thinking in our nation's universities regarding solar homes, buildings throughout the United States are drawing on solar energy for at least some of their energy needs -- in fact, many get by with only small amounts of energy from other sources. To see the best solar buildings in your area, try one of the local tours offered this Saturday through the National Tour of Solar Buildings
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 10/02/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- October 2, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events University of Colorado Takes Early Lead in Solar Decathlon National Tour of Solar Buildings Comes to You on October 5th DOE Grants to Help Meet U.S. Goal of One Million Solar Roofs DOE Awards $676,778 to D.C. for Weatherization GM Unveils Hywire Fuel-Cell Car, Carbon-Fiber-Bodied Cars Nevada Geothermal Leases Sold; New California Plant Proposed Kansas Town Demonstrates Water, Energy Savings with Washers *Site News Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Lauds Companies for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- University of Colorado Takes Early Lead in Solar Decathlon The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) has taken an early lead in the Solar Decathlon competition, now underway in Washington, D.C. At press time on Tuesday evening, CU held a 37-point lead over second-placed Auburn University, which in turn was holding a scant 22-point lead over third-seated University of Virginia. The competition remains tight, with six teams within 100 points of first place, and the constantly updated scores can shift the team rankings rapidly. See the Scoring Summary on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/cfm/index.cfm. The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. Fourteen teams from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico have brought their solar homes to the National Mall for the competition, which began on September 26th and continues through October 5th. The winning team will be the one that most successfully blends aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and efficiency in its solar-powered home. As the name implies, the Solar Decathlon includes 10 events on which each team will be judged. Surprisingly, CU placed in only one of the three events that have been completed, winning the Graphics and Communication contest; Auburn University came in second and Crowder College placed third. At present, CU appears to be holding the lead due to the ongoing energy performance of the team's house. In the other contests, Virginia Polytechnic Institute took first place in Design Presentation and Simulation, followed in turn by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland. The University of Virginia, currently in third place, won the Design and Livability contest, a high-scoring event that was judged by a panel of nationally known architects. The University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez placed second in the event, and the University of Texas at Austin came in third. See the DOE press releases regarding all of these contests on the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/media.html. Two weeks ago, this newsletter mentioned the daunting task of transporting all the solar houses to the nation's capital. Lest you think we were exaggerating, check out the Contest Diaries now posted on the Web site. Among other things, you'll learn about the logistic challenges of oversized truck loads and how the University of Puerto Rico's house had to dodge a Caribbean storm! Meanwhile, the site continues to be updated daily with new photos, and -- thanks to some fancy instrumentation and wireless Web technology -- the team rankings are updated every fifteen minutes based on energy measurements taken throughout each of the houses. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. Speaking of Caribbean storms, Hurricane Isidore brought some rain to the competition on Friday but otherwise passed by without incident, and Hurricane Lili appears unlikely to affect the competition. High temperatures may pose a greater challenge for the decathletes, as temperatures today are expected to peak in the high 80s -- we'll see which teams can keep their cool! See the Weather Channel forecast at: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USDC0001. National Tour of Solar Buildings Comes to You on October 5th While the Solar Decathlon represents the best thinking in our nation's universities regarding solar homes, buildings throughout the United States are drawing on solar energy for at least some of their energy needs -- in fact, many get by with only small amounts of energy from other sources. To see the best solar buildings in your area, try one of the local tours offered this Saturday through the National Tour of Solar Buildings
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 09/25/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 25, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Weather Uncertain as Solar Decathlon Competition Gears Up L.A. Expands Solar Program, Rolls Out 400 Electric Vehicles Large Wind Plants Planned for the Dakotas and Maryland Sustainability Mandated for Washington State Government DOE to Fund up to $70 Million in Fuel Cell Research HUD, DOE, EPA to Work on Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Renewable Energy Atlas of the West Goes Online *Site News Harvesting Clean Energy *Energy Facts and Tips Updates on Recent Energy Facts Stories *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Weather Uncertain as Solar Decathlon Competition Gears Up The competition phase of the Solar Decathlon begins on Thursday, and the Solar Village -- consisting of the 14 competing solar houses -- is steadily taking shape on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The university teams and their partially constructed homes all arrived safely, despite treks from as far away as Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and even Puerto Rico. And as the Solar Village takes shape, so does the Solar Decathlon Web site, which now features daily photos of the competition. During the competition, the site will also feature team diaries, scoring results, and rankings. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. The competition will be open to the public starting Thursday, but for those of us unable to visit in person, the Web site now provides images and descriptions of each entry. Through these new Web pages, you can see the diversity of approaches used by the teams and gain an appreciation for the creativity and innovation of the entries. Although every team combines energy efficiency and solar technologies in their homes, the teams are using a variety of strategies to maintain comfortable interior temperatures, including water-filled walls and columns for heat storage, radiant floor heating, heat pumps, natural ventilation, and shutters and awnings. For daylighting, some teams are using high-tech skylights and translucent walls. The Texas AM team even designed and built its own appliances. And although it isn't part of the competition, many teams took extra efforts to use sustainable materials in their homes. See the Follow the Teams section of the Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/follow.html. A big factor in the competition, of course, is the weather. The teams had to prepare for the competition knowing that record highs for this time of year in the nation's capital have reached the mid-90s, and record lows have descended into the mid-30s. But at press time on Tuesday, the temperature forecast is favorable, with predicted highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s or 60s. The outlook for sunshine, however, is less favorable, with showers expected on Thursday and continuing into the weekend. See the Weather Channel forecast at: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USDC0001. The weekend weather forecast may deteriorate, since at present, Tropical Storm Isadore is expected to return to hurricane force and head north, likely bringing more rain to the region this weekend. And another tropical storm, Lili, is expected to sweep through the Caribbean heading northwest late this week, potentially bringing more rain to the nation's capital next week. See the Weather Channel's Tropical Storm Tracker at: http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/activeatlantic.html. L.A. Expands Solar Program, Rolls Out 400 Electric Vehicles Residents of Los Angeles and businesses located there now have even more reasons to install solar power systems, thanks to an expansion and extension of the solar program offered by the L.A. Department of Water (LADWP). The utility's Board of Commissioners approved the expansion last week. The new program offers significant new opportunities for commercial and industrial customers of the utility, since their maximum incentive payments have been doubled to $2 million. And if they install a system greater than 30 kilowatts in peak capacity, they can benefit from both the LADWP Solar Program and a similar program offered by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). Homeowners will also benefit from a boost in maximum incentive payments, increasing from $50,000 to $60,000. The board also extended the incentive payments through the end of 2003 while allowing the Solar Program to continue until 2010. See the LADWP press release at: http://www.ladwp.com/whatnew/dwpnews/091802.htm. SoCalGas offers a Self
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 09/25/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 25, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Weather Uncertain as Solar Decathlon Competition Gears Up L.A. Expands Solar Program, Rolls Out 400 Electric Vehicles Large Wind Plants Planned for the Dakotas and Maryland Sustainability Mandated for Washington State Government DOE to Fund up to $70 Million in Fuel Cell Research HUD, DOE, EPA to Work on Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Renewable Energy Atlas of the West Goes Online *Site News Harvesting Clean Energy *Energy Facts and Tips Updates on Recent Energy Facts Stories *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Weather Uncertain as Solar Decathlon Competition Gears Up The competition phase of the Solar Decathlon begins on Thursday, and the Solar Village -- consisting of the 14 competing solar houses -- is steadily taking shape on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The university teams and their partially constructed homes all arrived safely, despite treks from as far away as Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and even Puerto Rico. And as the Solar Village takes shape, so does the Solar Decathlon Web site, which now features daily photos of the competition. During the competition, the site will also feature team diaries, scoring results, and rankings. See the Solar Decathlon Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/. The competition will be open to the public starting Thursday, but for those of us unable to visit in person, the Web site now provides images and descriptions of each entry. Through these new Web pages, you can see the diversity of approaches used by the teams and gain an appreciation for the creativity and innovation of the entries. Although every team combines energy efficiency and solar technologies in their homes, the teams are using a variety of strategies to maintain comfortable interior temperatures, including water-filled walls and columns for heat storage, radiant floor heating, heat pumps, natural ventilation, and shutters and awnings. For daylighting, some teams are using high-tech skylights and translucent walls. The Texas AM team even designed and built its own appliances. And although it isn't part of the competition, many teams took extra efforts to use sustainable materials in their homes. See the Follow the Teams section of the Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/solar_decathlon/follow.html. A big factor in the competition, of course, is the weather. The teams had to prepare for the competition knowing that record highs for this time of year in the nation's capital have reached the mid-90s, and record lows have descended into the mid-30s. But at press time on Tuesday, the temperature forecast is favorable, with predicted highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s or 60s. The outlook for sunshine, however, is less favorable, with showers expected on Thursday and continuing into the weekend. See the Weather Channel forecast at: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USDC0001. The weekend weather forecast may deteriorate, since at present, Tropical Storm Isadore is expected to return to hurricane force and head north, likely bringing more rain to the region this weekend. And another tropical storm, Lili, is expected to sweep through the Caribbean heading northwest late this week, potentially bringing more rain to the nation's capital next week. See the Weather Channel's Tropical Storm Tracker at: http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/activeatlantic.html. L.A. Expands Solar Program, Rolls Out 400 Electric Vehicles Residents of Los Angeles and businesses located there now have even more reasons to install solar power systems, thanks to an expansion and extension of the solar program offered by the L.A. Department of Water (LADWP). The utility's Board of Commissioners approved the expansion last week. The new program offers significant new opportunities for commercial and industrial customers of the utility, since their maximum incentive payments have been doubled to $2 million. And if they install a system greater than 30 kilowatts in peak capacity, they can benefit from both the LADWP Solar Program and a similar program offered by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). Homeowners will also benefit from a boost in maximum incentive payments, increasing from $50,000 to $60,000. The board also extended the incentive payments through the end of 2003 while allowing the Solar Program to continue until 2010. See the LADWP press release at: http://www.ladwp.com/whatnew/dwpnews/091802.htm. SoCalGas offers a Self
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 09/18/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 18, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events California Mandates 20 Percent Renewable Power by 2017 California Trends Toward Half-Megawatt Solar Power Systems DOE Welcomes Solar Decathletes to Washington, D.C. Nevada BLM Offers 130,000 Acres for Geothermal Development Detroit Picked as Location for Michigan's NextEnergy Center Army Corps Selects Adaptive Mitigation at Snake River Dams Prototype Tidal Power Plant Installed Off U.K. Coast *Site News Texas State Energy Conservation Office *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Anticipates Higher Fuel Bills This Winter *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- California Mandates 20 Percent Renewable Power by 2017 California has committed to double its use of non-hydro renewable energy for electricity production within the next 15 years. Governor Gray Davis signed the state's new renewable portfolio standard (RPS) into law last week. The state will require all retail sellers of electricity to increase their use of wind, geothermal, biomass, and solar power by 1 percent per year until they reach the required 20 percent. All electricity providers must achieve the 20 percent goal by 2017. Governor Davis also signed a bill into law that will continue the state's funding for renewable energy projects and energy research and development for the next five years. See the September 12th press release by selecting Press Releases on the governor's Web site at: http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_pressroom_main.jsp. Although roughly one third of the U.S. states have RPS legislation in place, California's RPS law is arguably the strongest. Maine, for instance, requires that 30 percent of its electricity comes from renewable power sources, but the state includes hydropower in that definition. Maine already draws on hydropower for more than 25 percent of its electricity needs. See the state-by-state summaries by selecting Rules, Regulations Policies on the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy Web site at: http://www.dsireusa.org/summarytables/index.cfm. California Trends Toward Half-Megawatt Solar Power Systems The U.S. solar power industry, which once prided itself on 5-kilowatt installations, is seeing an encouraging trend toward projects closer to a half-megawatt (500-kilowatt) in peak capacity. Although such large installations have cropped up in a number of states, recent news of large solar power projects have all come from California. Among the recent announcements is a 520-kilowatt solar power system now being installed at a wastewater treatment plant in Oroville by Sun Power and Geothermal Energy. The company broke ground on the project in late August; when the system goes online in November, it will provide enough electricity to treat 80 percent of the wastewater at the facility. See the company's press release at: http://www.sunpowergeothermal.com/solarwastewater.html. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is following suit with a 501-kilowatt system at its headquarters facilities in Torrance. PowerLight Corporation will provide the solar power system; Think Energy, Inc. brought the two companies together. The system will be installed this fall. See the September 16th press release on the Think Energy Web site at: http://www.thinkenergy.net/pressroom/press_releases.htm. Meanwhile, the City of San Francisco is planning to install two large solar power systems: a 688-kilowatt system at the Moscone Center (a convention center) and a 600-kilowatt system at the city's Southeast wastewater treatment plant. Those details are included on page 7 of the Executive Summary for the state's Electricity Resource Plan, which also includes energy efficiency measures and plans to encourage the use of distributed energy resources. The plan, released in late August, is posted on the city's Department of the Environment Web site at: http://www.sfgov.org/sfenvironment/aboutus/energy/policy.htm. DOE Welcomes Solar Decathletes to Washington, D.C. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham extended his welcome last week to the solar decathletes -- fourteen teams of college students from around the United States and its territories that are now arriving in Washington, D.C., for the first-ever Solar Decathlon. Each team has the daunting task of transporting a solar-powered home to the nation's capital and constructing it within six days. The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. The partially
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 09/18/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 18, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events California Mandates 20 Percent Renewable Power by 2017 California Trends Toward Half-Megawatt Solar Power Systems DOE Welcomes Solar Decathletes to Washington, D.C. Nevada BLM Offers 130,000 Acres for Geothermal Development Detroit Picked as Location for Michigan's NextEnergy Center Army Corps Selects Adaptive Mitigation at Snake River Dams Prototype Tidal Power Plant Installed Off U.K. Coast *Site News Texas State Energy Conservation Office *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Anticipates Higher Fuel Bills This Winter *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- California Mandates 20 Percent Renewable Power by 2017 California has committed to double its use of non-hydro renewable energy for electricity production within the next 15 years. Governor Gray Davis signed the state's new renewable portfolio standard (RPS) into law last week. The state will require all retail sellers of electricity to increase their use of wind, geothermal, biomass, and solar power by 1 percent per year until they reach the required 20 percent. All electricity providers must achieve the 20 percent goal by 2017. Governor Davis also signed a bill into law that will continue the state's funding for renewable energy projects and energy research and development for the next five years. See the September 12th press release by selecting Press Releases on the governor's Web site at: http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_pressroom_main.jsp. Although roughly one third of the U.S. states have RPS legislation in place, California's RPS law is arguably the strongest. Maine, for instance, requires that 30 percent of its electricity comes from renewable power sources, but the state includes hydropower in that definition. Maine already draws on hydropower for more than 25 percent of its electricity needs. See the state-by-state summaries by selecting Rules, Regulations Policies on the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy Web site at: http://www.dsireusa.org/summarytables/index.cfm. California Trends Toward Half-Megawatt Solar Power Systems The U.S. solar power industry, which once prided itself on 5-kilowatt installations, is seeing an encouraging trend toward projects closer to a half-megawatt (500-kilowatt) in peak capacity. Although such large installations have cropped up in a number of states, recent news of large solar power projects have all come from California. Among the recent announcements is a 520-kilowatt solar power system now being installed at a wastewater treatment plant in Oroville by Sun Power and Geothermal Energy. The company broke ground on the project in late August; when the system goes online in November, it will provide enough electricity to treat 80 percent of the wastewater at the facility. See the company's press release at: http://www.sunpowergeothermal.com/solarwastewater.html. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is following suit with a 501-kilowatt system at its headquarters facilities in Torrance. PowerLight Corporation will provide the solar power system; Think Energy, Inc. brought the two companies together. The system will be installed this fall. See the September 16th press release on the Think Energy Web site at: http://www.thinkenergy.net/pressroom/press_releases.htm. Meanwhile, the City of San Francisco is planning to install two large solar power systems: a 688-kilowatt system at the Moscone Center (a convention center) and a 600-kilowatt system at the city's Southeast wastewater treatment plant. Those details are included on page 7 of the Executive Summary for the state's Electricity Resource Plan, which also includes energy efficiency measures and plans to encourage the use of distributed energy resources. The plan, released in late August, is posted on the city's Department of the Environment Web site at: http://www.sfgov.org/sfenvironment/aboutus/energy/policy.htm. DOE Welcomes Solar Decathletes to Washington, D.C. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham extended his welcome last week to the solar decathletes -- fourteen teams of college students from around the United States and its territories that are now arriving in Washington, D.C., for the first-ever Solar Decathlon. Each team has the daunting task of transporting a solar-powered home to the nation's capital and constructing it within six days. The Solar Decathlon is a team competition among universities to design and build the most energy-efficient solar-powered homes. The partially
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 09/11/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 11, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New York Provides $7.8 Million for Efficient, Solar Schools West Virginia Energy Plan Includes Efficiency and Renewables Fiscal Problems Place Sacramento Solar Power Program on Hold Toyota Prius Gains in Sales; All Hybrids Earn Tax Credit Report Urges Federal Investments in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen *Site News Hydro Research Foundation *Energy Facts and Tips Russia Aims to Ratify Kyoto; Australia May Follow Suit *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: On this one-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the staff of EREN Network News extends its hopes for peace to our subscribers around the world. New York Provides $7.8 Million for Efficient, Solar Schools Fifty schools in New York State will sport new solar electric systems by next spring, thanks to a new $1.8 million state-sponsored program called School Power...Naturally. Governor George E. Pataki announced the new program in late August as part of a package that includes $6 million for improving energy efficiency in New York schools. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will administer the School Power...Naturally program, which will provide 90 percent of the cost of installing a $20,000, 2-kilowatt solar power system on each of the schools. AMERESCO, an energy services firm, will provide an additional $500, reducing the cost for each school to just $1,500. Solar Works, Inc. will design, install and maintain the systems for the schools. Eligible New York schools have until October 11th to apply for the program. See the School Power...Naturally Program on the NYSERDA Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/schools/index.html. NYSERDA is also administering the $6 million Comprehensive Energy Strategies in School program, which will provide cost-shared technical assistance, analysis, advice, and certified training to schools so that they can identify ways to save energy. See the governor's press release regarding both programs at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/aug26_1_02.htm. Governor Pataki also dedicated the first utility-scale wind turbine on Long Island in late August. The wind turbine, located near Calverton on eastern Long Island, is the first of five that the Long Island Power Authority will erect on farms in Suffolk County, which spans the eastern two-thirds of the island. Each wind turbine will generate about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year -- about equal to the electricity needs of 12 average-sized homes. See the governor's press release at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/aug31_02.htm. Customers of Niagara Mohawk in upstate New York have a new way to encourage the use of renewable energy: the utility is now offering its customers the option of purchasing green power from one of three suppliers. Green power, of course, is electricity derived from renewable energy resources. See the September 4th press release on the Niagara Mohawk Web site at: http://www.niagaramohawk.com/nimotod/newsindx/newsindx.asp. West Virginia Energy Plan Includes Efficiency and Renewables West Virginia Governor Bob Wise announced in late August that his Energy Task Force has produced a 20-year roadmap for developing energy resources within the state while protecting the state's environment and creating jobs. Although the coal state's energy roadmap has an understandable emphasis on fossil fuel resources, it also urges the development of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources. In fact, two of the nine goals are to establish West Virginia as a leader in non-traditional energy- related technologies and products and to promote conservation and energy efficiency across the state. Specific action items include promoting the commercial and residential use of distributed energy generation and renewable energy and establishing a green buildings program. See the governor's press release at: http://www.wvgov.org/FullArticle.asp?index=538. The full report is available in Adobe PDF format only at: http://www.wvgov.org/WestVirginiaEnergyRoadmap08-20-02.pdf. Fiscal Problems Place Sacramento Solar Power Program on Hold The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) announced last week that its popular PV Pioneer program is facing fiscal challenges, causing the California utility to put new installations on hold while the program is reevaluated. According to SMUD, industry costs for producing photovoltaic
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 09/11/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 11, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New York Provides $7.8 Million for Efficient, Solar Schools West Virginia Energy Plan Includes Efficiency and Renewables Fiscal Problems Place Sacramento Solar Power Program on Hold Toyota Prius Gains in Sales; All Hybrids Earn Tax Credit Report Urges Federal Investments in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen *Site News Hydro Research Foundation *Energy Facts and Tips Russia Aims to Ratify Kyoto; Australia May Follow Suit *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: On this one-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the staff of EREN Network News extends its hopes for peace to our subscribers around the world. New York Provides $7.8 Million for Efficient, Solar Schools Fifty schools in New York State will sport new solar electric systems by next spring, thanks to a new $1.8 million state-sponsored program called School Power...Naturally. Governor George E. Pataki announced the new program in late August as part of a package that includes $6 million for improving energy efficiency in New York schools. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will administer the School Power...Naturally program, which will provide 90 percent of the cost of installing a $20,000, 2-kilowatt solar power system on each of the schools. AMERESCO, an energy services firm, will provide an additional $500, reducing the cost for each school to just $1,500. Solar Works, Inc. will design, install and maintain the systems for the schools. Eligible New York schools have until October 11th to apply for the program. See the School Power...Naturally Program on the NYSERDA Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/schools/index.html. NYSERDA is also administering the $6 million Comprehensive Energy Strategies in School program, which will provide cost-shared technical assistance, analysis, advice, and certified training to schools so that they can identify ways to save energy. See the governor's press release regarding both programs at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/aug26_1_02.htm. Governor Pataki also dedicated the first utility-scale wind turbine on Long Island in late August. The wind turbine, located near Calverton on eastern Long Island, is the first of five that the Long Island Power Authority will erect on farms in Suffolk County, which spans the eastern two-thirds of the island. Each wind turbine will generate about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year -- about equal to the electricity needs of 12 average-sized homes. See the governor's press release at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/aug31_02.htm. Customers of Niagara Mohawk in upstate New York have a new way to encourage the use of renewable energy: the utility is now offering its customers the option of purchasing green power from one of three suppliers. Green power, of course, is electricity derived from renewable energy resources. See the September 4th press release on the Niagara Mohawk Web site at: http://www.niagaramohawk.com/nimotod/newsindx/newsindx.asp. West Virginia Energy Plan Includes Efficiency and Renewables West Virginia Governor Bob Wise announced in late August that his Energy Task Force has produced a 20-year roadmap for developing energy resources within the state while protecting the state's environment and creating jobs. Although the coal state's energy roadmap has an understandable emphasis on fossil fuel resources, it also urges the development of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources. In fact, two of the nine goals are to establish West Virginia as a leader in non-traditional energy- related technologies and products and to promote conservation and energy efficiency across the state. Specific action items include promoting the commercial and residential use of distributed energy generation and renewable energy and establishing a green buildings program. See the governor's press release at: http://www.wvgov.org/FullArticle.asp?index=538. The full report is available in Adobe PDF format only at: http://www.wvgov.org/WestVirginiaEnergyRoadmap08-20-02.pdf. Fiscal Problems Place Sacramento Solar Power Program on Hold The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) announced last week that its popular PV Pioneer program is facing fiscal challenges, causing the California utility to put new installations on hold while the program is reevaluated. According to SMUD, industry costs for producing photovoltaic
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 09/04/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 4, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events World Summit Plan Promotes Renewables Without a Set Target World Governments, Organizations to Promote Clean Energy Use Toyota Teams with Nissan on Hybrids; Ford Backs Off on EVs California Deploys a 470-Kilowatt Solar Power System First Nebraska Wind Plant Completed; Wind Activities Accelerate Nationwide Green Power Faces Challenges in L.A. and Connecticut Engineers Develop Process to Make Hydrogen from Glucose *Site News Advanced Building Systems Integration Consortium *Energy Facts and Tips Canada's Intent to Ratify Kyoto Boosts the Accord's Chances *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- World Summit Plan Promotes Renewables Without a Set Target Government delegates at the World Summit on Sustainable Development reached agreement on Monday on a Plan of Implementation that includes measures to promote renewable energy. Although the plan calls for countries to act with a sense of urgency to substantially increase the global use of renewable energy, and also commits to phase out subsidies for non-sustainable energy sources, it fails to set a specific renewable energy target. The debate over whether to include a target was one of the most contentious during the summit. The issue of a target for renewable energy was a worthwhile goal, said Summit Secretary-General Nitin Desai, but the reality is that with sustained action, we can build up the renewable energy industries to the point where they have the critical mass to compete with fossil fuel-generated energy. We have a commitment to make it happen and now we need the follow-through. See the United Nations press releases (in Adobe PDF format only) at: http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/completenegotiations.pdf and http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/Desai.pdf. Delegates are expected to officially adopt the draft Plan of Implementation today, during the final session of the summit. See the draft plan at: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/summit_docs.html. World Governments, Organizations to Promote Clean Energy Use A number of governments and private organizations made specific commitments during the World Summit on Sustainable Development to show their support for renewable energy. For instance, a group of nine major electric companies signed agreements to undertake sustainable energy projects in developing countries. In addition, the European Union (EU) announced a $700 million partnership initiative on energy. See the United Nations press release (in Adobe PDF format only) at: http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/completenegotiations.pdf See also the EU World Summit Web site at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/wssd/index_en.html. For its part, the United States committed to provide $43 million in 2003 for a Clean Energy Initiative, which will aim to provide millions of people with access to new energy services, to increase the efficiency of energy use, and reduce deaths from air pollution by changing the way people use energy for transportation and in their homes. The United States expects to attract an additional $400 million in investments in the initiative through partnerships with other governments and organizations. See the U.S. State Department press release at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/sus/13023.htm. DOE is contributing to the initiative through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). International projects are now being conducted by EERE in countries such as the Ukraine, Poland, Russia, China, India, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Ghana. Specific projects are listed in the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/augpr/pr02180.htm. The United Nations is also launching a new initiative, called the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD). Initially comprising ten centers in ten developed and developing countries, the GNESD will help promote the research, transfer, and deployment of green and cleaner energy technologies to the developing world. See the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.unepie.org/outreach/wssd/docs/NR2002-energy.pdf. The GNESD announcement followed the UNEP's release last week of a report detailing how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can work together with entrepreneurs to jump-start clean energy enterprises in developing countries. The report documents
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 09/04/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- September 4, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events World Summit Plan Promotes Renewables Without a Set Target World Governments, Organizations to Promote Clean Energy Use Toyota Teams with Nissan on Hybrids; Ford Backs Off on EVs California Deploys a 470-Kilowatt Solar Power System First Nebraska Wind Plant Completed; Wind Activities Accelerate Nationwide Green Power Faces Challenges in L.A. and Connecticut Engineers Develop Process to Make Hydrogen from Glucose *Site News Advanced Building Systems Integration Consortium *Energy Facts and Tips Canada's Intent to Ratify Kyoto Boosts the Accord's Chances *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- World Summit Plan Promotes Renewables Without a Set Target Government delegates at the World Summit on Sustainable Development reached agreement on Monday on a Plan of Implementation that includes measures to promote renewable energy. Although the plan calls for countries to act with a sense of urgency to substantially increase the global use of renewable energy, and also commits to phase out subsidies for non-sustainable energy sources, it fails to set a specific renewable energy target. The debate over whether to include a target was one of the most contentious during the summit. The issue of a target for renewable energy was a worthwhile goal, said Summit Secretary-General Nitin Desai, but the reality is that with sustained action, we can build up the renewable energy industries to the point where they have the critical mass to compete with fossil fuel-generated energy. We have a commitment to make it happen and now we need the follow-through. See the United Nations press releases (in Adobe PDF format only) at: http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/completenegotiations.pdf and http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/Desai.pdf. Delegates are expected to officially adopt the draft Plan of Implementation today, during the final session of the summit. See the draft plan at: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/summit_docs.html. World Governments, Organizations to Promote Clean Energy Use A number of governments and private organizations made specific commitments during the World Summit on Sustainable Development to show their support for renewable energy. For instance, a group of nine major electric companies signed agreements to undertake sustainable energy projects in developing countries. In addition, the European Union (EU) announced a $700 million partnership initiative on energy. See the United Nations press release (in Adobe PDF format only) at: http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressreleases/completenegotiations.pdf See also the EU World Summit Web site at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/wssd/index_en.html. For its part, the United States committed to provide $43 million in 2003 for a Clean Energy Initiative, which will aim to provide millions of people with access to new energy services, to increase the efficiency of energy use, and reduce deaths from air pollution by changing the way people use energy for transportation and in their homes. The United States expects to attract an additional $400 million in investments in the initiative through partnerships with other governments and organizations. See the U.S. State Department press release at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/sus/13023.htm. DOE is contributing to the initiative through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). International projects are now being conducted by EERE in countries such as the Ukraine, Poland, Russia, China, India, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Ghana. Specific projects are listed in the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/augpr/pr02180.htm. The United Nations is also launching a new initiative, called the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD). Initially comprising ten centers in ten developed and developing countries, the GNESD will help promote the research, transfer, and deployment of green and cleaner energy technologies to the developing world. See the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.unepie.org/outreach/wssd/docs/NR2002-energy.pdf. The GNESD announcement followed the UNEP's release last week of a report detailing how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can work together with entrepreneurs to jump-start clean energy enterprises in developing countries. The report documents
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 08/28/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 28, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Renewables Cause Controversy at World Summit Deregulation Paves Way for Renewables, Study Says Energy Secretary Abraham Visits Michigan Fuel Cell Plant *Site News National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition *Energy Facts and Tips Drought Drains Power *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Renewables Cause Controversy at World Summit As 60,000 delegates kick off the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa this week, wrangling over the best ways to implement solutions to the world's most dire problems is in full swing. At issue is whether the summit's implementation plan--addressing energy, biodiversity, food security, clean water and health care--will carry specific targets and timetables. Monday, the U.S., Saudi Arabia and other oil states lobbied for voluntary goals in place of a proposed specific target that calls for nations to increase worldwide production of renewable energy to 15 percent of total energy production by 2010. Currently in the U.S., strictly speaking, renewables provide one percent of the nation's power. However the language in the summit implementation plan allows hydropower and wood burning to be counted as renewable energy. Using this definition of renewable energy, 14 percent of world power is supplied by renewables. To meet the target proposed for the implementation plan, production of renewables world-wide would need to increase by one percent. While developed nations debate the targets, participants seem to agree that in the short term the two billion people in developing nations who lack access to electricity or liquid fuels stand to gain most from the widespread deployment of renewables. For daily coverage of the Summit, see the United Nations World Summit Web site at http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ Renewable energy was not even on the agenda at the Rio summit ten years ago, but a Worldwatch Institute policy briefing prepared for the Johannesburg summit points out how energy markets have transformed. Renewable energy markets have seen growth rates averaging more than 30 percent annually in the last five years. Worldwatch Institute says renewable energy represents roughly the same share of overall energy supply--and the same prospect for future growth--as petroleum did a century ago. In 1902 petroleum accounted for about two percent of the total, but was growing fast. See Worldwatch's policy brief: From Rio to Johannesburg, Renewable Energy for the 21st Century on their Web site at: http://www.worldwatch.org./worldsummit Deregulation Paves Way for Renewables, Study Says A new state-by-state analysis of electricity markets released August 22nd by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) found consumers pay less for energy and have greater access to cleaner energy than in 1996, prior to deregulation. The study found that states with the most competitive markets pay the least for energy and have the most access to clean energy. According to the report, clean energy policies are in place in 17 restructured states, and only 2 monopoly states. Such policies include creating state funds for renewable energy development and requirements that electricity companies produce increasing ratios of clean energy. The report concludes that deregulation is a misnomer: Typically electricity restructuring is a combination of increased use of wholesale and retail competitive markets with continued regulation and public policy interventions. PennFuture is an advocacy organization that advances policies to protect and improve Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Copies of the PennFuture report are available on the organizations Web site at: http://www.pennfuture.org/ Energy Secretary Abraham Visits Michigan Fuel Cell Plant Fuel cells received some recognition earlier this week when Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham toured the fuel cell/hydrogen storage technology manufacturing plant of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), Inc in Rochester Hills, Michigan. ECD researches hydrogen storage technologies and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, which will be required for automotive fuel cell technology. President Bush has encouraged the department to undertake public-private technology partnerships in pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future that is ultimately independent of foreign sources of energy, Secretary Abraham told the Detroit-area audience, adding, The automotive industry must be one of the most important partners
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 08/28/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 28, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Renewables Cause Controversy at World Summit Deregulation Paves Way for Renewables, Study Says Energy Secretary Abraham Visits Michigan Fuel Cell Plant *Site News National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition *Energy Facts and Tips Drought Drains Power *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Renewables Cause Controversy at World Summit As 60,000 delegates kick off the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa this week, wrangling over the best ways to implement solutions to the world's most dire problems is in full swing. At issue is whether the summit's implementation plan--addressing energy, biodiversity, food security, clean water and health care--will carry specific targets and timetables. Monday, the U.S., Saudi Arabia and other oil states lobbied for voluntary goals in place of a proposed specific target that calls for nations to increase worldwide production of renewable energy to 15 percent of total energy production by 2010. Currently in the U.S., strictly speaking, renewables provide one percent of the nation's power. However the language in the summit implementation plan allows hydropower and wood burning to be counted as renewable energy. Using this definition of renewable energy, 14 percent of world power is supplied by renewables. To meet the target proposed for the implementation plan, production of renewables world-wide would need to increase by one percent. While developed nations debate the targets, participants seem to agree that in the short term the two billion people in developing nations who lack access to electricity or liquid fuels stand to gain most from the widespread deployment of renewables. For daily coverage of the Summit, see the United Nations World Summit Web site at http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/ Renewable energy was not even on the agenda at the Rio summit ten years ago, but a Worldwatch Institute policy briefing prepared for the Johannesburg summit points out how energy markets have transformed. Renewable energy markets have seen growth rates averaging more than 30 percent annually in the last five years. Worldwatch Institute says renewable energy represents roughly the same share of overall energy supply--and the same prospect for future growth--as petroleum did a century ago. In 1902 petroleum accounted for about two percent of the total, but was growing fast. See Worldwatch's policy brief: From Rio to Johannesburg, Renewable Energy for the 21st Century on their Web site at: http://www.worldwatch.org./worldsummit Deregulation Paves Way for Renewables, Study Says A new state-by-state analysis of electricity markets released August 22nd by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) found consumers pay less for energy and have greater access to cleaner energy than in 1996, prior to deregulation. The study found that states with the most competitive markets pay the least for energy and have the most access to clean energy. According to the report, clean energy policies are in place in 17 restructured states, and only 2 monopoly states. Such policies include creating state funds for renewable energy development and requirements that electricity companies produce increasing ratios of clean energy. The report concludes that deregulation is a misnomer: Typically electricity restructuring is a combination of increased use of wholesale and retail competitive markets with continued regulation and public policy interventions. PennFuture is an advocacy organization that advances policies to protect and improve Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Copies of the PennFuture report are available on the organizations Web site at: http://www.pennfuture.org/ Energy Secretary Abraham Visits Michigan Fuel Cell Plant Fuel cells received some recognition earlier this week when Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham toured the fuel cell/hydrogen storage technology manufacturing plant of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), Inc in Rochester Hills, Michigan. ECD researches hydrogen storage technologies and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, which will be required for automotive fuel cell technology. President Bush has encouraged the department to undertake public-private technology partnerships in pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future that is ultimately independent of foreign sources of energy, Secretary Abraham told the Detroit-area audience, adding, The automotive industry must be one of the most important partners
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 08/21/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 21, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New York Provides $17 Million for Five Wind Power Facilities Wind Projects Proposed in West Virginia and Northwest; Cape Wind to Install Test Tower New L.A. Cathedral Draws on 66-Kilowatt Solar Power System Australian Government Backs Kilometer-Tall Solar Tower ACEEE Names Champions of Energy Efficiency for 2002 Bonnie Raitt Takes the Green Highway on her Concert Tour New Passenger Rail Car Promises Cost-Effective Transit *Site News U.S. Fuel Cell Council *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Power Systems Challenged by Heat, Transmission Problems *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New York Provides $17 Million for Five Wind Power Facilities The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NESERDA) will provide $17 million to support the development of 315 megawatts of wind power in upstate New York. New York Governor George E. Pataki announced yesterday that grants of up to $5 million will go toward five wind energy projects, including a 100-megawatt wind power plant in Lewis County, a 75-megawatt wind plant in both Stueben and Yates counties, a 51-megawatt wind plant in Chautauqua County, a 50-megawatt wind plant in Erie County, and a 40.5-megawatt plant in Otsego County. Those counties include two along the eastern shore of Lake Erie, one about 25 miles east of Lake Ontario, one about 80 miles west of Albany, and two located in the Finger Lakes Region, about 45 miles south of Rochester. NYSERDA will award the $17 million pending successful negotiations with each of the five developers and upon completion of the site development. See the governor's press release on the NYSERDA Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/press/pressother2002.html#WindFarms. NYSERDA also awarded $258,000 in late July toward a study of the potential to develop wind along the urbanized shoreline of Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo. The study by Ecology Environment, Inc. involves monitoring six shoreline sites to determine if there is adequate wind speed for a wind power project and will produce computer simulations showing what an eventual wind facility might look like along the shoreline. See the governor's announcement at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/july22_2_02.htm. While New York is a leader in promoting renewable energy within the state, nearby New Jersey is doing its best to catch up: in early July, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) awarded $11.3 million to five renewable energy companies. Four of the grants were awarded as part of the Board's Grid Supply Renewable Energy Program and will help PSEG Energy Technologies install a landfill gas power plant, assist Hoburn Management Corporation with the installation of solar power systems on 40 to 50 roofs, and aid Clipper Windpower, Inc. and Community Energy, Inc. in their efforts to develop wind power projects. The fifth grant will provide $300,000 to Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation to determine the feasibility of offshore wind power development along the New Jersey coastline. See the BPU press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/wwwroot/communication/20-02.pdf. Wind Projects Proposed in West Virginia and Northwest; Cape Wind to Install Test Tower Wind power continues to advance in the United States, with a new 225-megawatt wind facility proposed for West Virginia, a request for proposals for up to 50 megawatts of wind power in the Pacific Northwest, and approval of a critical step needed to develop the country's first offshore wind facility in Nantucket Sound. In West Virginia, wind developer Nedpower is in the process of performing a resource assessment for its proposed facility near Mount Storm. The company anticipates a $150 million project using 150 turbines, each with a capacity of up to 1.5 megawatts. See the Nedpower Web site at: http://www.nedpower.com/english/projects_storm.htm. Nedpower's planned location may be too close for comfort for another wind power developer, US WindForce, LLC, which also plans to build a large wind facility in the same area. See the US WindForce Web site at: http://uswindforce.com/default.asp?pg=projectspg2=mtstorm. In the Northwest, the Last Mile Electric Cooperative (LMEC) is seeking proposals for projects that could provide 25 to 50 megawatts of wind power to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California by the end of 2003. LMEC is a cooperative corporation of 16 public power
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 08/21/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 21, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New York Provides $17 Million for Five Wind Power Facilities Wind Projects Proposed in West Virginia and Northwest; Cape Wind to Install Test Tower New L.A. Cathedral Draws on 66-Kilowatt Solar Power System Australian Government Backs Kilometer-Tall Solar Tower ACEEE Names Champions of Energy Efficiency for 2002 Bonnie Raitt Takes the Green Highway on her Concert Tour New Passenger Rail Car Promises Cost-Effective Transit *Site News U.S. Fuel Cell Council *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Power Systems Challenged by Heat, Transmission Problems *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New York Provides $17 Million for Five Wind Power Facilities The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NESERDA) will provide $17 million to support the development of 315 megawatts of wind power in upstate New York. New York Governor George E. Pataki announced yesterday that grants of up to $5 million will go toward five wind energy projects, including a 100-megawatt wind power plant in Lewis County, a 75-megawatt wind plant in both Stueben and Yates counties, a 51-megawatt wind plant in Chautauqua County, a 50-megawatt wind plant in Erie County, and a 40.5-megawatt plant in Otsego County. Those counties include two along the eastern shore of Lake Erie, one about 25 miles east of Lake Ontario, one about 80 miles west of Albany, and two located in the Finger Lakes Region, about 45 miles south of Rochester. NYSERDA will award the $17 million pending successful negotiations with each of the five developers and upon completion of the site development. See the governor's press release on the NYSERDA Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/press/pressother2002.html#WindFarms. NYSERDA also awarded $258,000 in late July toward a study of the potential to develop wind along the urbanized shoreline of Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo. The study by Ecology Environment, Inc. involves monitoring six shoreline sites to determine if there is adequate wind speed for a wind power project and will produce computer simulations showing what an eventual wind facility might look like along the shoreline. See the governor's announcement at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/july22_2_02.htm. While New York is a leader in promoting renewable energy within the state, nearby New Jersey is doing its best to catch up: in early July, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) awarded $11.3 million to five renewable energy companies. Four of the grants were awarded as part of the Board's Grid Supply Renewable Energy Program and will help PSEG Energy Technologies install a landfill gas power plant, assist Hoburn Management Corporation with the installation of solar power systems on 40 to 50 roofs, and aid Clipper Windpower, Inc. and Community Energy, Inc. in their efforts to develop wind power projects. The fifth grant will provide $300,000 to Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation to determine the feasibility of offshore wind power development along the New Jersey coastline. See the BPU press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/wwwroot/communication/20-02.pdf. Wind Projects Proposed in West Virginia and Northwest; Cape Wind to Install Test Tower Wind power continues to advance in the United States, with a new 225-megawatt wind facility proposed for West Virginia, a request for proposals for up to 50 megawatts of wind power in the Pacific Northwest, and approval of a critical step needed to develop the country's first offshore wind facility in Nantucket Sound. In West Virginia, wind developer Nedpower is in the process of performing a resource assessment for its proposed facility near Mount Storm. The company anticipates a $150 million project using 150 turbines, each with a capacity of up to 1.5 megawatts. See the Nedpower Web site at: http://www.nedpower.com/english/projects_storm.htm. Nedpower's planned location may be too close for comfort for another wind power developer, US WindForce, LLC, which also plans to build a large wind facility in the same area. See the US WindForce Web site at: http://uswindforce.com/default.asp?pg=projectspg2=mtstorm. In the Northwest, the Last Mile Electric Cooperative (LMEC) is seeking proposals for projects that could provide 25 to 50 megawatts of wind power to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California by the end of 2003. LMEC is a cooperative corporation of 16 public power
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 08/07/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 7, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Proposed Federal Rules for Power Markets to Help Renewables Government, Private Organizations Push Grid Interconnection States and Cities Launch Renewable and Efficiency Programs DOE Releases Energy Design Guidelines for Schools NREL Updates Design Software for Energy Efficient Buildings Ethanol Production Increases; USDA Confirms Energy Benefit San Diego Wins U.S. Competition for its Regional Energy Plan *Site News Hawaii Natural Energy Institute *Energy Facts and Tips Manufacturing Energy Use Grew Slower Than GDP in the 90s *About this Newsletter Editor's Note: Due to an extended local power outage on Tuesday, this issue of the EREN Network News was delayed by a day. We apologize for the inconvenience. -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Proposed Federal Rules for Power Markets to Help Renewables New rules for electric power markets were proposed last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce. FERC's proposed standard market design aims to achieve fair and open transmission access for power generators and intends to open doors for demand-response providers and other energy service companies...and enhance opportunities for new technologies such as generation, renewables, efficiency and grid measures. The rules are also intended to prevent abuses of the power market previously carried out by energy traders such as Enron Corporation. Connecting to the electrical grid and selling power on a day-to-day basis are among the many nuts-and-bolts activities required to make renewable energy projects successful. Unfortunately, some electrical grid operators have rules that make such grid connections difficult and set rates that seem to discriminate against intermittent power sources like wind power. That combination is a one-two punch that hampers the development of renewable energy resources in the United States. The new FERC rules include measures intended to eliminate those barriers for renewable energy sources. The new rules are also intended to encourage technologies that reduce energy use. FERC will accept comments on the proposed rules until mid-October, and intends to phase in the plan over the next two years. See the Standard Market Design Activities under Featured Topics on the FERC Web site at: http://www.ferc.gov/. One example of the types of rules that hamper renewable energy development is the case of DOE's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which until recently charged a penalty of up to $100 per megawatt-hour for power generators that failed to deliver power on schedule. Since future wind power generation cannot be predicted accurately, the penalty discouraged wind power development in BPA's service territory. In late July, BPA announced a new rate proposal that will remove the penalty for wind power, requiring wind generators to pay only the cost of providing the power from other power sources. The new rate proposal requires approval from FERC. See the July 25th press release on the BPA Web site at: http://www.bpa.gov/Corporate/KC/home/nreleases/press.cfm. Government, Private Organizations Push Grid Interconnection While the FERC rules apply to large power generators and wholesale power markets, similar barriers to connecting to the electrical grid exist for homeowners and business owners that wish to generate their own power. Such so-called distributed generation sources -- including solar power, small wind turbines, fuel cells, microturbines, and other power technologies -- have the potential to contribute significantly to U.S. energy needs while boosting the reliability and security of our power supplies. Thankfully, a number of government and private organizations have been working at a variety of levels to lower barriers to grid interconnection. In late July, for instance, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released a report that includes model procedures and agreements for grid interconnection that could be adopted by each state. DOE funded the report, which intends to catalyze the development of distributed generation policies by states. It provides a model for uniform interconnection standards that are not unduly burdensome or expensive, yet still ensure safety and system reliability. See the NARUC report, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.naruc.org/Programs/dgia/dgiaip_final.pdf. From
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 08/07/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- August 7, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Proposed Federal Rules for Power Markets to Help Renewables Government, Private Organizations Push Grid Interconnection States and Cities Launch Renewable and Efficiency Programs DOE Releases Energy Design Guidelines for Schools NREL Updates Design Software for Energy Efficient Buildings Ethanol Production Increases; USDA Confirms Energy Benefit San Diego Wins U.S. Competition for its Regional Energy Plan *Site News Hawaii Natural Energy Institute *Energy Facts and Tips Manufacturing Energy Use Grew Slower Than GDP in the 90s *About this Newsletter Editor's Note: Due to an extended local power outage on Tuesday, this issue of the EREN Network News was delayed by a day. We apologize for the inconvenience. -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Proposed Federal Rules for Power Markets to Help Renewables New rules for electric power markets were proposed last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce. FERC's proposed standard market design aims to achieve fair and open transmission access for power generators and intends to open doors for demand-response providers and other energy service companies...and enhance opportunities for new technologies such as generation, renewables, efficiency and grid measures. The rules are also intended to prevent abuses of the power market previously carried out by energy traders such as Enron Corporation. Connecting to the electrical grid and selling power on a day-to-day basis are among the many nuts-and-bolts activities required to make renewable energy projects successful. Unfortunately, some electrical grid operators have rules that make such grid connections difficult and set rates that seem to discriminate against intermittent power sources like wind power. That combination is a one-two punch that hampers the development of renewable energy resources in the United States. The new FERC rules include measures intended to eliminate those barriers for renewable energy sources. The new rules are also intended to encourage technologies that reduce energy use. FERC will accept comments on the proposed rules until mid-October, and intends to phase in the plan over the next two years. See the Standard Market Design Activities under Featured Topics on the FERC Web site at: http://www.ferc.gov/. One example of the types of rules that hamper renewable energy development is the case of DOE's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which until recently charged a penalty of up to $100 per megawatt-hour for power generators that failed to deliver power on schedule. Since future wind power generation cannot be predicted accurately, the penalty discouraged wind power development in BPA's service territory. In late July, BPA announced a new rate proposal that will remove the penalty for wind power, requiring wind generators to pay only the cost of providing the power from other power sources. The new rate proposal requires approval from FERC. See the July 25th press release on the BPA Web site at: http://www.bpa.gov/Corporate/KC/home/nreleases/press.cfm. Government, Private Organizations Push Grid Interconnection While the FERC rules apply to large power generators and wholesale power markets, similar barriers to connecting to the electrical grid exist for homeowners and business owners that wish to generate their own power. Such so-called distributed generation sources -- including solar power, small wind turbines, fuel cells, microturbines, and other power technologies -- have the potential to contribute significantly to U.S. energy needs while boosting the reliability and security of our power supplies. Thankfully, a number of government and private organizations have been working at a variety of levels to lower barriers to grid interconnection. In late July, for instance, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released a report that includes model procedures and agreements for grid interconnection that could be adopted by each state. DOE funded the report, which intends to catalyze the development of distributed generation policies by states. It provides a model for uniform interconnection standards that are not unduly burdensome or expensive, yet still ensure safety and system reliability. See the NARUC report, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.naruc.org/Programs/dgia/dgiaip_final.pdf. From
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 07/31/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 31, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Large Wind Power Projects Planned for Texas and Idaho Honda to Begin Leasing Fuel Cell Vehicles by Year-End More Fuel Cells Installed as Companies See Ups and Downs Solar Power Association Funds Projects in Cleveland, Tucson Superconducting Cable Test to Proceed with Only One Cable Union Pacific to Use Solar-Powered LED Lights *Site News Coalition for New Energy Technologies *Energy Facts and Tips Study: Public Transport Key to Clean Air, Energy Savings *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Large Wind Power Projects Planned for Texas and Idaho Two planned wind power projects, both 200 megawatts or more in capacity, were announced last week for Texas and Idaho, while smaller wind projects are underway in California. In Texas, Cielo Wind Power, LLC plans to build a 240-megawatt wind power plant south of Rankin in the western part of the state. TXU Energy has agreed to buy the power produced by the plant. Called the Noelke Hill Wind Ranch, the project will be the second largest in Texas (the nearby 278-megawatt King Mountain Clean Energy Center is the largest), and will be among the largest in the United States. It will consist of 240 one-megawatt wind turbines manufactured by Mitsubishi and is scheduled to begin operating by September. See the TXU Energy press release at: http://www.txu.com/us/newsroom/pressrel/detail.asp?ID=493. A project announced in mid-July for Idaho is in its early planning stages, but would introduce the state to utility-scale wind power in a big way. Windland, Inc. hopes to build a 200-megawatt wind plant on Cotterel Mountain, southeast of Burley in south-central Idaho. The site covers about 4600 acres on federal lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Windland is still conducting technical and environmental evaluations of the site, but intends to begin construction in 2004. The project would be the first utility- scale wind installation in the state. See the Windland press release at: http://www.windland.com/newsrelease.html. Meanwhile, a new 10-megawatt wind plant is planned and a 61.5-megawatt wind plant is near completion in California. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) approved a three-year contract with ABB, Inc. to install and operate 10 megawatts of wind turbines in the Montezuma Hills outside of Rio Vista, southwest of Sacramento. SMUD expects construction in January 2003 and finish by late summer of that year. The installation is the first phase of the Solano Wind Project, which SMUD intends to expand to 45 megawatts by 2006. See the SMUD press release at: http://www.smud.org/news/02archive/0719_wind.html. In southern California, Shell WindEnergy Inc. continued its pattern of buying wind projects developed by Cannon Power Corporation. Shell announced last week its purchase of the 61.5-megawatt Whitewater Hill wind park in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs. The wind facility will draw on 41 1.5-megawatt turbines built by GE Wind Energy, and will be complete by the end of August. Shell previously bought the 41-megawatt Cabazon Pass wind facility from Cannon Power. The Cabazon Pass facility is located in the same area as Whitewater Hill and is also expected to be completed in August. See the July 23rd press release on the Shell Renewables Web site at: http://www2.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rw-br. GE Power Systems is already benefiting from its recent acquisition of GE Wind Energy. With a decline in sales of gas turbines, the company is cutting its work force and moving its generator manufacturing operations from Pensacola, Florida, to Schenectady, New York. But there's good news for Pensacola: GE Power Systems will begin producing wind turbine blades there to support its growing wind energy business. Although the company is cutting 2,500 jobs in Schenectady and other locations, no layoffs were announced for Pensacola. See the GE Power Systems press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.gepower.com/corporate/en_us/aboutgeps/releases/072302.pdf Honda to Begin Leasing Fuel Cell Vehicles by Year-End American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced last week that it will begin leasing a limited number of its fuel-cell-powered vehicle, the Honda FCX, in the United States by the end of this year. The California Air Resources Board recently certified the vehicle as a zero emissions vehicle, and it also earned the lowest national emission rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 07/31/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 31, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Large Wind Power Projects Planned for Texas and Idaho Honda to Begin Leasing Fuel Cell Vehicles by Year-End More Fuel Cells Installed as Companies See Ups and Downs Solar Power Association Funds Projects in Cleveland, Tucson Superconducting Cable Test to Proceed with Only One Cable Union Pacific to Use Solar-Powered LED Lights *Site News Coalition for New Energy Technologies *Energy Facts and Tips Study: Public Transport Key to Clean Air, Energy Savings *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Large Wind Power Projects Planned for Texas and Idaho Two planned wind power projects, both 200 megawatts or more in capacity, were announced last week for Texas and Idaho, while smaller wind projects are underway in California. In Texas, Cielo Wind Power, LLC plans to build a 240-megawatt wind power plant south of Rankin in the western part of the state. TXU Energy has agreed to buy the power produced by the plant. Called the Noelke Hill Wind Ranch, the project will be the second largest in Texas (the nearby 278-megawatt King Mountain Clean Energy Center is the largest), and will be among the largest in the United States. It will consist of 240 one-megawatt wind turbines manufactured by Mitsubishi and is scheduled to begin operating by September. See the TXU Energy press release at: http://www.txu.com/us/newsroom/pressrel/detail.asp?ID=493. A project announced in mid-July for Idaho is in its early planning stages, but would introduce the state to utility-scale wind power in a big way. Windland, Inc. hopes to build a 200-megawatt wind plant on Cotterel Mountain, southeast of Burley in south-central Idaho. The site covers about 4600 acres on federal lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Windland is still conducting technical and environmental evaluations of the site, but intends to begin construction in 2004. The project would be the first utility- scale wind installation in the state. See the Windland press release at: http://www.windland.com/newsrelease.html. Meanwhile, a new 10-megawatt wind plant is planned and a 61.5-megawatt wind plant is near completion in California. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) approved a three-year contract with ABB, Inc. to install and operate 10 megawatts of wind turbines in the Montezuma Hills outside of Rio Vista, southwest of Sacramento. SMUD expects construction in January 2003 and finish by late summer of that year. The installation is the first phase of the Solano Wind Project, which SMUD intends to expand to 45 megawatts by 2006. See the SMUD press release at: http://www.smud.org/news/02archive/0719_wind.html. In southern California, Shell WindEnergy Inc. continued its pattern of buying wind projects developed by Cannon Power Corporation. Shell announced last week its purchase of the 61.5-megawatt Whitewater Hill wind park in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs. The wind facility will draw on 41 1.5-megawatt turbines built by GE Wind Energy, and will be complete by the end of August. Shell previously bought the 41-megawatt Cabazon Pass wind facility from Cannon Power. The Cabazon Pass facility is located in the same area as Whitewater Hill and is also expected to be completed in August. See the July 23rd press release on the Shell Renewables Web site at: http://www2.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rw-br. GE Power Systems is already benefiting from its recent acquisition of GE Wind Energy. With a decline in sales of gas turbines, the company is cutting its work force and moving its generator manufacturing operations from Pensacola, Florida, to Schenectady, New York. But there's good news for Pensacola: GE Power Systems will begin producing wind turbine blades there to support its growing wind energy business. Although the company is cutting 2,500 jobs in Schenectady and other locations, no layoffs were announced for Pensacola. See the GE Power Systems press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.gepower.com/corporate/en_us/aboutgeps/releases/072302.pdf Honda to Begin Leasing Fuel Cell Vehicles by Year-End American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced last week that it will begin leasing a limited number of its fuel-cell-powered vehicle, the Honda FCX, in the United States by the end of this year. The California Air Resources Board recently certified the vehicle as a zero emissions vehicle, and it also earned the lowest national emission rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 07/17/02
=
EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 17, 2002
A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN).
http://www.eren.doe.gov/
=
Featuring:
*News and Events
One Wind Plant Planned for Illinois, One Halted in Nevada
DOE Grants Support Carbon-Fiber Research for Wind Power
DOE to Award $12.6 Million for 138 Energy-Saving Projects
New Projects and Laws Advance Manure-to-Energy Systems
Wisconsin Utility to Use 5 Percent Renewable Power by 2011
ExxonMobil Commits to Early MTBE Phase-Out in California
High-School Solar Car Race Now Underway in Texas
*Site News
GasNet
*Energy Facts and Tips
At Halfway Point, 2002 is the Second Warmest Year on Record
*About this Newsletter
--
NEWS AND EVENTS
--
One Wind Plant Planned for Illinois, One Halted in Nevada
This week saw good and bad news for the U.S. wind industry, with
funding approved for one of the first wind plants in Illinois, but
plans for the first wind plant in Nevada cancelled.
In Illinois, a $2.75 million grant from the state's Renewable Energy
Resources Trust Fund will go toward developing a 50-megawatt wind
facility in Mendota, located about 80 miles west of Chicago.
Governor George H. Ryan announced the grant to Navitas Energy Inc.
last week. The Mendota Hills Wind Farm is expected to add
$50 million to the local tax base and provide $130,000 in annual
lease payments to area landowners, while generating enough power to
meet the annual electricity needs of 15,000 households. The wind
turbine installations should begin in 2003. See the press release on
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Web site
at: http://www.commerce.state.il.us/.
The Mendota project may not be the first wind plant in Illinois: a
51-megawatt wind plant is planned for construction in nearby
Tiskilwa, and is expected to be complete in mid-2003. See the July
3rd edition of EREN Network News at:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/archive.cfm?date_enn={d '2002-07-03'}
In Nevada, efforts to install an 85-megawatt wind power facility at
the Nevada Test Site, the former site of nuclear weapons testing,
were stopped due to concerns expressed by the U.S. Air Force.
Officials at nearby Nellis Air Force Base believe the rotating wind
turbine blades could interfere with their radar, impacting Air Force
operations on the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range. Because of
those concerns, DOE's Nevada Operations Office terminated their
efforts to gain approval for the wind site. See the July 12th press
release from the Nevada Operations Office at:
http://www.nv.doe.gov/newspubs/newsreleases/default.htm.
The Nevada Power Company had already agreed to purchase wind power
from the planned wind plant, which the developers had hoped to
eventually expand to 260 megawatts in capacity. See the March 6th
edition of EREN Network News at:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/archive.cfm?date_enn={d '2002-03-06'}.
Meanwhile, a proposed 420-megawatt wind farm in Nantucket Sound, off
the shores of Massachusetts, is causing environmental groups to draw
battle lines. While a coalition of wildlife groups hope to block the
construction of even a wind test tower, the Massachusetts Public
Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) is encouraging its members to
send a letter in support of the project to the state's Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs. Other groups are cautiously
supportive: for instance, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)
commented on the project and noted that ...if New England chose not
to tap the wind resource in the offshore area that includes
Nantucket Sound, it appears that it would be choosing to exclude
most available wind power from its climate change strategy. See the
press release from the International Wildlife Coalition (in Adobe
PDF format only) as well as the MASSPIRG and CLF Web sites at:
http://www.iwc.org/nantucket.pdf,
http://masspirg.org/MA.asp?id=117id3=MAid4=MAFS;, and
http://www.clf.org/advocacy/offshore_windpower.htm.
DOE Grants Support Carbon-Fiber Research for Wind Power
Two $100,000 grants recently awarded by DOE will go toward
investigations of the use of carbon fibers for two major wind
turbine components: the towers and the blades.
Wind turbine towers are typically made of steel, but PYRAmatrix
Structures, Inc. plans to develop taller, lighter-weight towers made
of carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination of the two. By using
a unique lattice structure in the composite materials, the company
claims it can reduce tower costs for a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine by
37 percent while cutting the weight by 96 percent. For a 5-megawatt
wind turbine, a 511-foot steel tower would weigh
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 07/17/02
=
EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 17, 2002
A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN).
http://www.eren.doe.gov/
=
Featuring:
*News and Events
One Wind Plant Planned for Illinois, One Halted in Nevada
DOE Grants Support Carbon-Fiber Research for Wind Power
DOE to Award $12.6 Million for 138 Energy-Saving Projects
New Projects and Laws Advance Manure-to-Energy Systems
Wisconsin Utility to Use 5 Percent Renewable Power by 2011
ExxonMobil Commits to Early MTBE Phase-Out in California
High-School Solar Car Race Now Underway in Texas
*Site News
GasNet
*Energy Facts and Tips
At Halfway Point, 2002 is the Second Warmest Year on Record
*About this Newsletter
--
NEWS AND EVENTS
--
One Wind Plant Planned for Illinois, One Halted in Nevada
This week saw good and bad news for the U.S. wind industry, with
funding approved for one of the first wind plants in Illinois, but
plans for the first wind plant in Nevada cancelled.
In Illinois, a $2.75 million grant from the state's Renewable Energy
Resources Trust Fund will go toward developing a 50-megawatt wind
facility in Mendota, located about 80 miles west of Chicago.
Governor George H. Ryan announced the grant to Navitas Energy Inc.
last week. The Mendota Hills Wind Farm is expected to add
$50 million to the local tax base and provide $130,000 in annual
lease payments to area landowners, while generating enough power to
meet the annual electricity needs of 15,000 households. The wind
turbine installations should begin in 2003. See the press release on
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Web site
at: http://www.commerce.state.il.us/.
The Mendota project may not be the first wind plant in Illinois: a
51-megawatt wind plant is planned for construction in nearby
Tiskilwa, and is expected to be complete in mid-2003. See the July
3rd edition of EREN Network News at:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/archive.cfm?date_enn={d '2002-07-03'}
In Nevada, efforts to install an 85-megawatt wind power facility at
the Nevada Test Site, the former site of nuclear weapons testing,
were stopped due to concerns expressed by the U.S. Air Force.
Officials at nearby Nellis Air Force Base believe the rotating wind
turbine blades could interfere with their radar, impacting Air Force
operations on the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range. Because of
those concerns, DOE's Nevada Operations Office terminated their
efforts to gain approval for the wind site. See the July 12th press
release from the Nevada Operations Office at:
http://www.nv.doe.gov/newspubs/newsreleases/default.htm.
The Nevada Power Company had already agreed to purchase wind power
from the planned wind plant, which the developers had hoped to
eventually expand to 260 megawatts in capacity. See the March 6th
edition of EREN Network News at:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/archive.cfm?date_enn={d '2002-03-06'}.
Meanwhile, a proposed 420-megawatt wind farm in Nantucket Sound, off
the shores of Massachusetts, is causing environmental groups to draw
battle lines. While a coalition of wildlife groups hope to block the
construction of even a wind test tower, the Massachusetts Public
Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) is encouraging its members to
send a letter in support of the project to the state's Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs. Other groups are cautiously
supportive: for instance, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)
commented on the project and noted that ...if New England chose not
to tap the wind resource in the offshore area that includes
Nantucket Sound, it appears that it would be choosing to exclude
most available wind power from its climate change strategy. See the
press release from the International Wildlife Coalition (in Adobe
PDF format only) as well as the MASSPIRG and CLF Web sites at:
http://www.iwc.org/nantucket.pdf,
http://masspirg.org/MA.asp?id=117id3=MAid4=MAFS;, and
http://www.clf.org/advocacy/offshore_windpower.htm.
DOE Grants Support Carbon-Fiber Research for Wind Power
Two $100,000 grants recently awarded by DOE will go toward
investigations of the use of carbon fibers for two major wind
turbine components: the towers and the blades.
Wind turbine towers are typically made of steel, but PYRAmatrix
Structures, Inc. plans to develop taller, lighter-weight towers made
of carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination of the two. By using
a unique lattice structure in the composite materials, the company
claims it can reduce tower costs for a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine by
37 percent while cutting the weight by 96 percent. For a 5-megawatt
wind turbine, a 511-foot steel tower would weigh
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 07/10/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 10, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Solar Power to be Standard in Two California Communities New Solar Power Systems Come to California, Massachusetts Utah and California Organizations Buy Green Power Projects Map Western Renewables and Pennsylvania Wind Energy DOE Awards $15 Million to Michigan for Home Weatherization U.S. Companies Mark Advances in Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Study: Ethanol Production Plants Boost Local Economies *Site News American Council for Renewable Energy *Energy Facts and Tips Study Confirms That Urban Heat Islands Cause Downwind Rain *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Solar Power to be Standard in Two California Communities AstroPower, Inc. and Clarum Homes announced on June 24th a new agreement that will make solar electric systems a standard feature on homes in two northern California communities. AstroPower will provide 277 solar electric systems over the next three years for homes in the new Clarum communities of Vista Montana in Watsonville and Shorebreeze IV in East Palo Alto. The systems will be a standard feature on every home and will range from 1.2 to 3.2 kilowatts in generating capacity. Clarum will also include energy efficiency features in the new homes that, combined with the solar electric system, should reduce energy use in the homes by 60 percent relative to comparable homes in the area. See the AstroPower press release at: http://www.astropower.com/press_releases.htm. Homes in southeastern Pennsylvania may feature a growing number of solar electric installations through an incentive program launched last month by the Energy Cooperative. The Philadelphia-based company is offering to pay consumers 20 cents per kilowatt-hour for power produced by solar electric systems installed on their homes. The Cooperative's goal is to purchase 100,000 kilowatt-hours of solar power by the end of this year. To take advantage of the program, customers must be members of the Energy Cooperative and must purchase the Co-op's EcoChoice 100 brand of 100 percent renewable energy. The system must meet specific criteria and must include a separate meter to measure its output. The Energy Cooperative has already signed its first purchase agreement with customer Andy Rudin of Melrose Park, who installed a 2.7-kilowatt system. See the Energy Cooperative press release at: http://www.theenergyco-op.com/Solar%20Press%20Release.htm. Are you considering installing a solar power system on your home? A recent DOE-funded report examines the economics of such installations on a state-by-state basis, taking into account each state's typical electricity costs, incentive programs, and solar resources. In the top-rated state, New York, the solar power system can cost as much as $13,556 per kilowatt of capacity and still pay for itself over its expected lifetime. In the lowest-ranked state, Kentucky, the system cost needs to drop to $1,200 per kilowatt if you ever want it to pay for itself. See the report, Customer-Sited Photovoltaics: State Market Analysis on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Web site at: http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/1022567652_1018302086.html. New Solar Power Systems Come to California, Massachusetts There has been a number of large solar power installations in California recently, including a 33-kilowatt installation on Lunardi's Market in Burlingame, dedicated in late May, and a 10-kilowatt installation in late June on the common house of the Muir Commons co-housing community in Davis. The Muir Commons installation was performed as part of a hands-on photovoltaic solar panel design and installation workshop, for which participants were charged $650 apiece. See the PowerLight Corporation and Muir Commons press releases at: http://www.powerlight.com/pr/may-23-2002-lunardis.html and http://www.muircommons.org/pv/. A large solar power installation is also planned for Massachusetts. Northern Power Systems has been commissioned to design and install a 26.4-kilowatt solar electric system for the Woods Hole Research Center's new Ordway Campus in Falmouth. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is funding the project through a $226,308 grant. See the press releases from Northern Power (in PDF format only) and from the Woods Hole Research Center at: http://www.northernpower.com/media/pdf/woods-hole.pdf and http://www.whrc.org/news/setMRETgrant.htm. Utah and California Organizations Buy Green Power Recent green power purchases by two non-profit
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 07/10/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 10, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Solar Power to be Standard in Two California Communities New Solar Power Systems Come to California, Massachusetts Utah and California Organizations Buy Green Power Projects Map Western Renewables and Pennsylvania Wind Energy DOE Awards $15 Million to Michigan for Home Weatherization U.S. Companies Mark Advances in Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Study: Ethanol Production Plants Boost Local Economies *Site News American Council for Renewable Energy *Energy Facts and Tips Study Confirms That Urban Heat Islands Cause Downwind Rain *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Solar Power to be Standard in Two California Communities AstroPower, Inc. and Clarum Homes announced on June 24th a new agreement that will make solar electric systems a standard feature on homes in two northern California communities. AstroPower will provide 277 solar electric systems over the next three years for homes in the new Clarum communities of Vista Montana in Watsonville and Shorebreeze IV in East Palo Alto. The systems will be a standard feature on every home and will range from 1.2 to 3.2 kilowatts in generating capacity. Clarum will also include energy efficiency features in the new homes that, combined with the solar electric system, should reduce energy use in the homes by 60 percent relative to comparable homes in the area. See the AstroPower press release at: http://www.astropower.com/press_releases.htm. Homes in southeastern Pennsylvania may feature a growing number of solar electric installations through an incentive program launched last month by the Energy Cooperative. The Philadelphia-based company is offering to pay consumers 20 cents per kilowatt-hour for power produced by solar electric systems installed on their homes. The Cooperative's goal is to purchase 100,000 kilowatt-hours of solar power by the end of this year. To take advantage of the program, customers must be members of the Energy Cooperative and must purchase the Co-op's EcoChoice 100 brand of 100 percent renewable energy. The system must meet specific criteria and must include a separate meter to measure its output. The Energy Cooperative has already signed its first purchase agreement with customer Andy Rudin of Melrose Park, who installed a 2.7-kilowatt system. See the Energy Cooperative press release at: http://www.theenergyco-op.com/Solar%20Press%20Release.htm. Are you considering installing a solar power system on your home? A recent DOE-funded report examines the economics of such installations on a state-by-state basis, taking into account each state's typical electricity costs, incentive programs, and solar resources. In the top-rated state, New York, the solar power system can cost as much as $13,556 per kilowatt of capacity and still pay for itself over its expected lifetime. In the lowest-ranked state, Kentucky, the system cost needs to drop to $1,200 per kilowatt if you ever want it to pay for itself. See the report, Customer-Sited Photovoltaics: State Market Analysis on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Web site at: http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/1022567652_1018302086.html. New Solar Power Systems Come to California, Massachusetts There has been a number of large solar power installations in California recently, including a 33-kilowatt installation on Lunardi's Market in Burlingame, dedicated in late May, and a 10-kilowatt installation in late June on the common house of the Muir Commons co-housing community in Davis. The Muir Commons installation was performed as part of a hands-on photovoltaic solar panel design and installation workshop, for which participants were charged $650 apiece. See the PowerLight Corporation and Muir Commons press releases at: http://www.powerlight.com/pr/may-23-2002-lunardis.html and http://www.muircommons.org/pv/. A large solar power installation is also planned for Massachusetts. Northern Power Systems has been commissioned to design and install a 26.4-kilowatt solar electric system for the Woods Hole Research Center's new Ordway Campus in Falmouth. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is funding the project through a $226,308 grant. See the press releases from Northern Power (in PDF format only) and from the Woods Hole Research Center at: http://www.northernpower.com/media/pdf/woods-hole.pdf and http://www.whrc.org/news/setMRETgrant.htm. Utah and California Organizations Buy Green Power Recent green power purchases by two non-profit
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 07/03/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 3, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events First Large Wind Plants Planned for Illinois, West Virginia Toyota to Lease 20 Fuel-Cell-Powered SUVs by Early 2003 DOE Selects Six Projects to Advance Automotive Technologies DOE Awards $4.6 Million for Alternative Fuels and Vehicles BMW, GM Draw on Landfill Methane to Power Auto Plants Habitat for Humanity Builds Zero-Net-Energy Prototype Homes DOE Awards $79 Million for Efficiency, Home Weatherization *Site News EERE Launches Redesigned Web Site to Match New Organization *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Emissions Decreased in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- First Large Wind Plants Planned for Illinois, West Virginia Two of the largest wind power facilities east of the Mississippi will be built in Illinois and West Virginia within the year, developers announced last week. The two wind plants will be the first commercial wind power facilities in each state. Illinois Wind Energy and Tomen Power Corporation plan to build a 51-megawatt wind power facility near Tiskilwa, Illinois, approximately 110 miles west of Chicago. The Crescent Ridge wind energy project will employ 34 of NEG Micon's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, providing enough power for roughly 20,000 homes. Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is buying all the power from the project, which should be completed by mid-2003. Unlike most recent wind projects, the power will be included in ComEd's regular power supply, rather than sold at a premium as green power. See the ComEd press release at: http://www.ceco.com/news/comed/display.asp?a=ComEdrec_id=498. In West Virginia, FPL Energy is preparing to build a 66-megawatt wind plant called the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center. FPL Energy bought the project rights from Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation, which had previously pursued it under the name of the Backbone Mountain Wind Project. Construction will begin this month on the wind power facility, which will comprise 44 of NEG Micon's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines along Backbone Mountain, located near the town of Thomas. Construction is expected to be complete by year-end. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/newsreleases/2002/02078.html. According to NEG Micon, the turbines for the West Virginia project will cost FPL Energy about $40 million. But FPL Energy also has an option to buy an additional 350 1.5-megawatt turbines -- totaling 525 megawatts of wind capacity -- through the end of 2003. If FPL Energy exercises that option, it would represent a total purchase worth roughly $400 million. See the June 26th press release from NEG Micon at: http://www.neg-micon.com/press/releases.html. While the West Virginia and Illinois projects charge ahead, a proposed 420-megawatt wind plant in the waters offshore of Massachusetts continues to advance slowly but steadily through the permitting process. In late June, the Army Corps of Engineers released its Scope of Work for the Cape Wind project's Environmental Impact Statement. See the Corps press release at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/news/2002-86.html. The 7-page Scope of Work is available in PDF format only at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/ma/ccwf/CapeWindEIS.pdf. Toyota to Lease 20 Fuel-Cell-Powered SUVs by Early 2003 Toyota Motor Corporation announced Monday that it will begin leasing a limited number of its fuel-cell-powered sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the United States and Japan around the end of this year. The announcement follows successful road tests of the company's fuel cell prototype, the FCHV-1. The U.S. version of the hydrogen-fueled fuel cell SUV will be based on the Toyota Highlander. Toyota plans to lease a total of 20 vehicles to entities that have access to a hydrogen fueling system and to Toyota's service specialists. Because of the vehicle's high cost and decreased performance in cold weather, Toyota will only offer the leases to select private businesses, technology-related companies, institutional organizations and research facilities. See the Toyota press release at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2002/07/01-1-fuelcell.html DOE Selects Six Projects to Advance Automotive Technologies DOE announced on June 26th the selection of five small businesses and one university to develop automotive components and subsystems for cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. The projects total more than $1 million in cost-shared research, of which DOE will provide up to $900,000 through its
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 07/03/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- July 3, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events First Large Wind Plants Planned for Illinois, West Virginia Toyota to Lease 20 Fuel-Cell-Powered SUVs by Early 2003 DOE Selects Six Projects to Advance Automotive Technologies DOE Awards $4.6 Million for Alternative Fuels and Vehicles BMW, GM Draw on Landfill Methane to Power Auto Plants Habitat for Humanity Builds Zero-Net-Energy Prototype Homes DOE Awards $79 Million for Efficiency, Home Weatherization *Site News EERE Launches Redesigned Web Site to Match New Organization *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Emissions Decreased in 2001 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- First Large Wind Plants Planned for Illinois, West Virginia Two of the largest wind power facilities east of the Mississippi will be built in Illinois and West Virginia within the year, developers announced last week. The two wind plants will be the first commercial wind power facilities in each state. Illinois Wind Energy and Tomen Power Corporation plan to build a 51-megawatt wind power facility near Tiskilwa, Illinois, approximately 110 miles west of Chicago. The Crescent Ridge wind energy project will employ 34 of NEG Micon's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, providing enough power for roughly 20,000 homes. Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is buying all the power from the project, which should be completed by mid-2003. Unlike most recent wind projects, the power will be included in ComEd's regular power supply, rather than sold at a premium as green power. See the ComEd press release at: http://www.ceco.com/news/comed/display.asp?a=ComEdrec_id=498. In West Virginia, FPL Energy is preparing to build a 66-megawatt wind plant called the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center. FPL Energy bought the project rights from Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation, which had previously pursued it under the name of the Backbone Mountain Wind Project. Construction will begin this month on the wind power facility, which will comprise 44 of NEG Micon's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines along Backbone Mountain, located near the town of Thomas. Construction is expected to be complete by year-end. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/newsreleases/2002/02078.html. According to NEG Micon, the turbines for the West Virginia project will cost FPL Energy about $40 million. But FPL Energy also has an option to buy an additional 350 1.5-megawatt turbines -- totaling 525 megawatts of wind capacity -- through the end of 2003. If FPL Energy exercises that option, it would represent a total purchase worth roughly $400 million. See the June 26th press release from NEG Micon at: http://www.neg-micon.com/press/releases.html. While the West Virginia and Illinois projects charge ahead, a proposed 420-megawatt wind plant in the waters offshore of Massachusetts continues to advance slowly but steadily through the permitting process. In late June, the Army Corps of Engineers released its Scope of Work for the Cape Wind project's Environmental Impact Statement. See the Corps press release at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/news/2002-86.html. The 7-page Scope of Work is available in PDF format only at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/ma/ccwf/CapeWindEIS.pdf. Toyota to Lease 20 Fuel-Cell-Powered SUVs by Early 2003 Toyota Motor Corporation announced Monday that it will begin leasing a limited number of its fuel-cell-powered sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the United States and Japan around the end of this year. The announcement follows successful road tests of the company's fuel cell prototype, the FCHV-1. The U.S. version of the hydrogen-fueled fuel cell SUV will be based on the Toyota Highlander. Toyota plans to lease a total of 20 vehicles to entities that have access to a hydrogen fueling system and to Toyota's service specialists. Because of the vehicle's high cost and decreased performance in cold weather, Toyota will only offer the leases to select private businesses, technology-related companies, institutional organizations and research facilities. See the Toyota press release at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2002/07/01-1-fuelcell.html DOE Selects Six Projects to Advance Automotive Technologies DOE announced on June 26th the selection of five small businesses and one university to develop automotive components and subsystems for cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. The projects total more than $1 million in cost-shared research, of which DOE will provide up to $900,000 through its
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 06/26/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 26, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events United Solar Opens New 30-Megawatt Solar Cell Plant New York State Energy Plan Increases Energy Efficiency, Boosts Renewable Energy, and Cuts Greenhouse Emissions U.S. National Efforts Aim to Promote Efficiency, Renewables Countries Invited to Declare Themselves GREEN Environment Commissioners Respond to NAFTA Energy Report University of Wisconsin Team Wins FutureTruck Competition DOE Awards $34 Million to 12 States for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Electrical Grid Faces Terrorist, Wildfire Threats *About this Newsletter - NEWS AND EVENTS - United Solar Opens New 30-Megawatt Solar Cell Plant United Solar Systems Corporation announced the official inauguration on Monday of its new $55 million thin-film solar cell manufacturing facility, capable of producing 30 megawatts of solar cells each year. The facility's solar-cell-production machine -- designed and built by Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) -- uses a continuous web process similar to that used in printing newspapers, depositing nine layers of amorphous silicon alloys onto a roll of stainless steel 14 inches wide and a mile and a half long. The new 300-foot- long machine will process six rolls at once, producing 9 miles of solar cells in three days. At full production, the new facility will boost U.S. solar cell production capacity by about 20 percent. See the ECD/United Solar press release at: http://www.ovonic.com/news_events/5_2_press_releases/20020624.htm. To learn more about United Solar's technology, see the United Solar Web site at: http://www.uni-solar.com/Our_Technology_a_Si.html. Photos of the new machine are posted on the United Solar Web site at: http://www.uni-solar.com/PV%20Manufacturing.html. New York State Energy Plan Increases Energy Efficiency, Boosts Renewable Energy, and Cuts Greenhouse Emissions The New York State Energy Planning Board released its 2002 State Energy Plan last week. The new plan includes goals to increase the state's use of renewable energy by 50 percent by 2020, drawing on renewable energy for 15 percent of the state's energy needs. It also calls for increased energy efficiency, but sets the goal in terms of energy intensity: reducing energy use per Gross State Product to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. Those actions will contribute to a third state goal, cutting its greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2010, and further cutting them to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. According to the planning board, the energy plan is designed to provide statewide policy guidance for energy-related decisions by government and private market participants within the State for the next four years. While achieving such goals may be questionable in most states, New York has at least one thing acting in its favor: its successful New York Energy Smart program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA). In its first three years, the $78 million-a-year program has helped construct two wind facilities and has reduced annual carbon dioxide emissions by 670,000 tons. Among the program's recent accomplishments are a rebate program that replaced 20,000 inefficient room air conditioners, the installation of energy efficiency improvements and a geothermal cooling system at a pharmaceutical laboratory, the installation of a geothermal heat pump system at Le Moyne College, the installation of an efficient cooling system at a mall, financing for an efficient vapor pressure swing adsorption system for an apple storage facility, and the provision of $24 million to support 56 combined heat and power systems in the state. See the recent NYSERDA press releases at: http://www.nyserda.org/press.html. See also Governor Pataki's announcements regarding NYSERDA programs at: http://www.nyserda.org/press/pressother2002.html. The full 2002 State Energy Plan is posted on the NYSERDA Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/sep.html. U.S. National Efforts Aim to Promote Efficiency, Renewables Energy efficiency and renewable energy may become a mainstream part of U.S. society through new efforts by two national organizations. For renewable energy, the newly formed American Council for Renewable Energy (ACRE) aims to bring renewable energy into the mainstream of America's economy and lifestyle, with a scope that includes solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy; hydropower; biofuels; waste energy; and hydrogen
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 06/19/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 19, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events NAFTA Commission Calls for Carbon Trading, Renewable Energy DOE Aims to Buy Nearly 5 Percent Green Power by 2005 BLM Finds Renewable Energy Potential in 11 Western States Shell to Develop Multi-Megawatt Fuel Cells for Oil Platforms EPA Launches Energy Star Rating for Hotels Successful Test of Solar-Grade Silicon Production Process Wind Energy, Cogeneration Developer Files for Bankruptcy *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Struggles to Upgrade its Electrical Transmission System *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- NAFTA Commission Calls for Carbon Trading, Renewable Energy The countries of North America should develop a carbon emissions trading system and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, according to a report issued on Monday by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the partners in implementing the environmental accords included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new report, Environmental Challenges and Opportunities of the Evolving North American Electricity Market, was prepared for the CEC by an expert advisory board. The board specifically recommends forming a North American fund to promote the adoption of best available emission control technologies, energy efficiency measures, and energy conservation within the NAFTA countries. It also urges the NAFTA countries to promote the development and use of renewable energy through increased market-based incentives and funding. And in addition to a carbon emissions trading system, the board recommends continent-wide trading systems for emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxides. See the CEC press release at: http://www.cec.org/news/details/index.cfm?ID=2483. See the full report, as well as nine background papers (including one on renewable energy) and comments from the three governments, on the CEC Web site at: http://www.cec.org/pubs_docs/documents/index.cfm?ID=842. The United States is committed to expanding energy trading with its North American neighbors and to strengthening North American energy markets. The North American Energy Working Group, formed to help meet these commitments, issued its first report last week. North America -- The Energy Picture presents an overview of the energy situation on the continent. See the DOE press release, with a link to the full report, at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/junpr/pr02101.htm. A North American trading system for carbon emissions would represent a significant step toward addressing climate change issues and (as noted in the CEC report) would promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Although President Bush has rejected the Kyoto Protocol, which would have mandated some form of carbon emissions trading, the United States is taking action at the federal and state levels to address climate change. According to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the business community is also doing its part. See the June 11th report, Climate Change Activities in the United States, on the Pew Center's Web site at: http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/us_activities2.cfm. DOE Aims to Buy Nearly 5 Percent Green Power by 2005 DOE intends to draw on renewable energy sources to provide at least 140 million kilowatt-hours of electricity for the department by 2005, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced last week. That represents nearly 5 percent of DOE's electricity use, which totaled about 3 billion kilowatt-hours in 1999. DOE will also help people throughout the West buy green power by offering a green tags program through its Western Area Power Administration, which markets federal hydropower in 15 western states. The program will allow Western's customers to support renewable energy projects by buying their environmental attributes, while the actual power from the projects will be sold into the traditional power market. Speaking at the 13th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Secretary Abraham noted that DOE used 43.5 percent less energy in 2002 than it did in 1985, and expects to further increase its energy efficiency by 2 percent per year in the years ahead. Secretary Abraham noted that high-efficiency lighting using solid- state light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, shows significant potential for future energy savings. To advance LED lighting technology, Secretary Abraham announced
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 06/19/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 19, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events NAFTA Commission Calls for Carbon Trading, Renewable Energy DOE Aims to Buy Nearly 5 Percent Green Power by 2005 BLM Finds Renewable Energy Potential in 11 Western States Shell to Develop Multi-Megawatt Fuel Cells for Oil Platforms EPA Launches Energy Star Rating for Hotels Successful Test of Solar-Grade Silicon Production Process Wind Energy, Cogeneration Developer Files for Bankruptcy *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Struggles to Upgrade its Electrical Transmission System *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- NAFTA Commission Calls for Carbon Trading, Renewable Energy The countries of North America should develop a carbon emissions trading system and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, according to a report issued on Monday by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the partners in implementing the environmental accords included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new report, Environmental Challenges and Opportunities of the Evolving North American Electricity Market, was prepared for the CEC by an expert advisory board. The board specifically recommends forming a North American fund to promote the adoption of best available emission control technologies, energy efficiency measures, and energy conservation within the NAFTA countries. It also urges the NAFTA countries to promote the development and use of renewable energy through increased market-based incentives and funding. And in addition to a carbon emissions trading system, the board recommends continent-wide trading systems for emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxides. See the CEC press release at: http://www.cec.org/news/details/index.cfm?ID=2483. See the full report, as well as nine background papers (including one on renewable energy) and comments from the three governments, on the CEC Web site at: http://www.cec.org/pubs_docs/documents/index.cfm?ID=842. The United States is committed to expanding energy trading with its North American neighbors and to strengthening North American energy markets. The North American Energy Working Group, formed to help meet these commitments, issued its first report last week. North America -- The Energy Picture presents an overview of the energy situation on the continent. See the DOE press release, with a link to the full report, at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/junpr/pr02101.htm. A North American trading system for carbon emissions would represent a significant step toward addressing climate change issues and (as noted in the CEC report) would promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Although President Bush has rejected the Kyoto Protocol, which would have mandated some form of carbon emissions trading, the United States is taking action at the federal and state levels to address climate change. According to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the business community is also doing its part. See the June 11th report, Climate Change Activities in the United States, on the Pew Center's Web site at: http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/us_activities2.cfm. DOE Aims to Buy Nearly 5 Percent Green Power by 2005 DOE intends to draw on renewable energy sources to provide at least 140 million kilowatt-hours of electricity for the department by 2005, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced last week. That represents nearly 5 percent of DOE's electricity use, which totaled about 3 billion kilowatt-hours in 1999. DOE will also help people throughout the West buy green power by offering a green tags program through its Western Area Power Administration, which markets federal hydropower in 15 western states. The program will allow Western's customers to support renewable energy projects by buying their environmental attributes, while the actual power from the projects will be sold into the traditional power market. Speaking at the 13th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Secretary Abraham noted that DOE used 43.5 percent less energy in 2002 than it did in 1985, and expects to further increase its energy efficiency by 2 percent per year in the years ahead. Secretary Abraham noted that high-efficiency lighting using solid- state light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, shows significant potential for future energy savings. To advance LED lighting technology, Secretary Abraham announced
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 06/12/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 12, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Four Major U.S. Companies Advance Green Power Markets Fuel-Cell-Powered Car Completes Cross-Country Trip FutureTruck Competition Underway in Arizona New Technologies, Software to Help Advanced Vehicles BP Brings Renewable Education, Solar Power, and Low-Sulfur Gasoline to Colorado DOE Awards $2 Million to 22 States for Energy Codes Report: Conservation Kept California's Lights On *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Census Shows Work Commute Times Getting Longer *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Four Major U.S. Companies Advance Green Power Markets The World Resources Institute (WRI) announced yesterday that four leading U.S. companies have either purchased green power or have developed new green power projects. The four companies -- General Motors Corporation (GM), IBM, Johnson Johnson, and Kinko's -- are all members of WRI's Green Power Market Development Group. The Group's goal is to create 1,000 megawatts of new cost- competitive green power for corporate markets by 2010; thus far, the group is responsible for 15 megawatts of green power generation -- enough to supply 11,000 homes. In terms of green power purchases, GM has committed to purchase 8 million kilowatt-hours or more of electricity from a landfill gas facility in Michigan, IBM is buying 5.4 million kilowatt-hours per year from wind power facilities in Minnesota and Texas, and Kinko's has purchased an additional 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year for 42 of its stores. In addition, GM is using landfill gas in one of its powerhouse boilers, and Johnson Johnson has installed a total of 350 kilowatts of solar power on three of its buildings. See the WRI press release at: http://www.wri.org/press/gp_purchase.html. Kinko's purchases made it the largest green power buyer in Oregon, where it purchased 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year for 10 of its Oregon branches. Kinko's also became the largest purchaser of wind power from Utah Power's Blue Sky wind power program. Kinko's bought enough wind power to serve 10 percent of the electrical needs of its 11 stores along the Wasatch Front. See the press releases from Pacific Power and Utah Power at: http://www.pacificpower.net/Article/Article18866.html. and http://www.utahpower.net/Article/Article18867.html. Fuel-Cell-Powered Car Completes Cross-Country Trip DaimlerChrysler completed a cross-country drive in its fuel-cell-powered NECAR 5 last week, achieving a milestone in performance for fuel cell vehicles. The NECAR 5 left San Francisco on May 20th and arrived in Washington, D.C., on June 4th. Methanol was delivered at 300-mile intervals along the 3,000-mile route to refuel the vehicle. Although the 16-day trip was hardly a record breaker for speed, it does represent a performance achievement for fuel cell vehicles. But with the accompaniment of two sport utility vehicles and a van, plus the pre-delivery of the methanol fuel, the trip also demonstrates how far we need to go before fuel cell vehicles become a practical reality. See the June 5th press release on the DaimlerChrysler Web site at: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/index_e.htm?/news/top/top_e.htm. There's at least one place in the country where methanol fuel is available from a pump: at the fuel cell vehicle demonstration center in West Sacramento, California, which is operated by the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP). The methanol fueling station, installed in April, features new fueling technology, including an anti-siphoning device and a locking mechanism between the vehicle and the fuel nozzle. The CaFCP intends to operate 20 fuel cell vehicles (including the NECAR 5) in 2002, accumulating 60,000 road miles, and plans to install three hydrogen fueling stations at locations throughout California. See the April 25th and May 31st press releases from the CaFCP at: http://www.cafcp.org/releases.html. The Ford Motor Company's entry to the CaFCP, the Ford Focus FCV (for Fuel Cell Vehicle) is being tested both in California and at Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds this summer. Stuart Energy Systems Corporation is providing its portable hydrogen fueling equipment for the Arizona tests. See the April 30th press release on the Stuart Energy Web site at: http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press.asp. The entry from the General Motors Corporation (GM), the HydroGen 1 fuel cell vehicle, was shipped to the CaFCP in April. See the GM press release at: http://www.gm.com
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 06/12/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 12, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Four Major U.S. Companies Advance Green Power Markets Fuel-Cell-Powered Car Completes Cross-Country Trip FutureTruck Competition Underway in Arizona New Technologies, Software to Help Advanced Vehicles BP Brings Renewable Education, Solar Power, and Low-Sulfur Gasoline to Colorado DOE Awards $2 Million to 22 States for Energy Codes Report: Conservation Kept California's Lights On *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Census Shows Work Commute Times Getting Longer *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Four Major U.S. Companies Advance Green Power Markets The World Resources Institute (WRI) announced yesterday that four leading U.S. companies have either purchased green power or have developed new green power projects. The four companies -- General Motors Corporation (GM), IBM, Johnson Johnson, and Kinko's -- are all members of WRI's Green Power Market Development Group. The Group's goal is to create 1,000 megawatts of new cost- competitive green power for corporate markets by 2010; thus far, the group is responsible for 15 megawatts of green power generation -- enough to supply 11,000 homes. In terms of green power purchases, GM has committed to purchase 8 million kilowatt-hours or more of electricity from a landfill gas facility in Michigan, IBM is buying 5.4 million kilowatt-hours per year from wind power facilities in Minnesota and Texas, and Kinko's has purchased an additional 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year for 42 of its stores. In addition, GM is using landfill gas in one of its powerhouse boilers, and Johnson Johnson has installed a total of 350 kilowatts of solar power on three of its buildings. See the WRI press release at: http://www.wri.org/press/gp_purchase.html. Kinko's purchases made it the largest green power buyer in Oregon, where it purchased 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year for 10 of its Oregon branches. Kinko's also became the largest purchaser of wind power from Utah Power's Blue Sky wind power program. Kinko's bought enough wind power to serve 10 percent of the electrical needs of its 11 stores along the Wasatch Front. See the press releases from Pacific Power and Utah Power at: http://www.pacificpower.net/Article/Article18866.html. and http://www.utahpower.net/Article/Article18867.html. Fuel-Cell-Powered Car Completes Cross-Country Trip DaimlerChrysler completed a cross-country drive in its fuel-cell-powered NECAR 5 last week, achieving a milestone in performance for fuel cell vehicles. The NECAR 5 left San Francisco on May 20th and arrived in Washington, D.C., on June 4th. Methanol was delivered at 300-mile intervals along the 3,000-mile route to refuel the vehicle. Although the 16-day trip was hardly a record breaker for speed, it does represent a performance achievement for fuel cell vehicles. But with the accompaniment of two sport utility vehicles and a van, plus the pre-delivery of the methanol fuel, the trip also demonstrates how far we need to go before fuel cell vehicles become a practical reality. See the June 5th press release on the DaimlerChrysler Web site at: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/index_e.htm?/news/top/top_e.htm. There's at least one place in the country where methanol fuel is available from a pump: at the fuel cell vehicle demonstration center in West Sacramento, California, which is operated by the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP). The methanol fueling station, installed in April, features new fueling technology, including an anti-siphoning device and a locking mechanism between the vehicle and the fuel nozzle. The CaFCP intends to operate 20 fuel cell vehicles (including the NECAR 5) in 2002, accumulating 60,000 road miles, and plans to install three hydrogen fueling stations at locations throughout California. See the April 25th and May 31st press releases from the CaFCP at: http://www.cafcp.org/releases.html. The Ford Motor Company's entry to the CaFCP, the Ford Focus FCV (for Fuel Cell Vehicle) is being tested both in California and at Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds this summer. Stuart Energy Systems Corporation is providing its portable hydrogen fueling equipment for the Arizona tests. See the April 30th press release on the Stuart Energy Web site at: http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press.asp. The entry from the General Motors Corporation (GM), the HydroGen 1 fuel cell vehicle, was shipped to the CaFCP in April. See the GM press release at: http://www.gm.com
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 06/5/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 5, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Zilkha Plans 250-Megawatt Wind Project in Washington State Nebraska Wind Project Breaks Ground; Others Advance Assistant Secretary Garman Addresses WINDPOWER 2002 Green Power Coming to Upstate New York, North Carolina Largest Solar Power Facility in the Northwest Goes Online Hawaiian and National Energy Groups to Develop Clean Energy *Energy Facts and Tips EU, Japan Ratify Kyoto Protocol; U.S. Still Opposed *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Zilkha Plans 250-Megawatt Wind Project in Washington State Zilkha Renewable Energy has announced plans to build a wind project of up to 250 megawatts in capacity in Kittitas County, Washington. The company intends to file for a permit from the county this month. Zilkha plans to install 100 to 150 wind turbines over an area of about 10,000 acres at the site, which is located about 100 miles east of Seattle. If the project is approved, construction will begin in early 2003 and will be completed that year. Zilkha is also planning three other wind projects: a project of undisclosed size near Lawton, Oklahoma (about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City); a 100-megawatt project near Meyersdale, Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh, near the Maryland border); and a 100-megawatt project in Lewis County, New York (about 70 miles northeast of Syracuse). Of those three projects, Zilkha appears likely to start on the New York project first, with plans to begin construction before year-end and complete construction in 2003. The company is also in the process of repowering a defunct 40-megawatt wind project in California's Altamont Pass by placing new wind turbines on the old project's wind towers. Zilkha has a track record in the wind industry, including construction of the 80-megawatt Top of Iowa Wind Farm, which was commissioned late in 2001. See the Zilkha Web site at: http://www.zilkha.com/whatweredoing.asp. Nebraska Wind Project Breaks Ground; Others Advance The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) broke ground on its 10.5-megawatt wind facility in early May. The Kimball wind facility will be the largest in the state. MEAN is a wholesale electricity supply organization that serves 53 member communities and one public power district in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. See the MEAN press release at: http://www.nmppenergy.org/windgroundbreakingrelease.htm. The MEAN groundbreaking seems to belie a report issued in February by the Nebraska Power Association (NPA). The NPA was asked to examine the feasibility of creating a public authority to develop one or more major wind projects in the state. The report, created at the behest of Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns, concluded that financing issues and perceived financial risks were hurdles too high for a public authority to overcome, but still suggested that its member utilities might support smaller-scale wind projects. The NPA represents public utilities in the state. See the NPA Wind Report at: http://www.nepower.org/Reports/. In the rest of the country, wind projects are advancing steadily. Ameresco Inc., the majority owner of Montana Wind Harness, announced in mid-May that a project to develop 150 megawatts of wind power in Montana is on track, with leasing agreements in hand for a number of key locations. Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light announced in early May that Clipper Windpower, Inc. was selected to provide the utility with 150,000 megawatt-hours of new wind energy by building 29 new wind turbines near Spirit Lake, Iowa. American Electric Power, which bought the 160-megawatt Indian Mesa project in West Texas in January, renamed it the Desert Sky Wind Project and held a dedication ceremony in early May. And Shell WindEnergy bought the 41-megawatt Cabazon Pass wind facility, a project that is being built in California by the Cannon Power Corporation. The facility is expected online in August. See the relevant press releases at: http://www.ameresco.com/release.asp?ID=11, http://www.alliantenergy.com/news/news.php?issueID=303, http://www.desertskywind.com/, and the May 17th press release from Shell at: http://www2.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=media-en. Assistant Secretary Garman Addresses WINDPOWER 2002 David Garman, DOE's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, addressed the WINDPOWER 2002 conference on Monday, highlighting President Bush's national energy policy while focusing on wind energy policy and research. Our investments in wind energy
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 06/5/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- June 5, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Zilkha Plans 250-Megawatt Wind Project in Washington State Nebraska Wind Project Breaks Ground; Others Advance Assistant Secretary Garman Addresses WINDPOWER 2002 Green Power Coming to Upstate New York, North Carolina Largest Solar Power Facility in the Northwest Goes Online Hawaiian and National Energy Groups to Develop Clean Energy *Energy Facts and Tips EU, Japan Ratify Kyoto Protocol; U.S. Still Opposed *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Zilkha Plans 250-Megawatt Wind Project in Washington State Zilkha Renewable Energy has announced plans to build a wind project of up to 250 megawatts in capacity in Kittitas County, Washington. The company intends to file for a permit from the county this month. Zilkha plans to install 100 to 150 wind turbines over an area of about 10,000 acres at the site, which is located about 100 miles east of Seattle. If the project is approved, construction will begin in early 2003 and will be completed that year. Zilkha is also planning three other wind projects: a project of undisclosed size near Lawton, Oklahoma (about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City); a 100-megawatt project near Meyersdale, Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh, near the Maryland border); and a 100-megawatt project in Lewis County, New York (about 70 miles northeast of Syracuse). Of those three projects, Zilkha appears likely to start on the New York project first, with plans to begin construction before year-end and complete construction in 2003. The company is also in the process of repowering a defunct 40-megawatt wind project in California's Altamont Pass by placing new wind turbines on the old project's wind towers. Zilkha has a track record in the wind industry, including construction of the 80-megawatt Top of Iowa Wind Farm, which was commissioned late in 2001. See the Zilkha Web site at: http://www.zilkha.com/whatweredoing.asp. Nebraska Wind Project Breaks Ground; Others Advance The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) broke ground on its 10.5-megawatt wind facility in early May. The Kimball wind facility will be the largest in the state. MEAN is a wholesale electricity supply organization that serves 53 member communities and one public power district in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. See the MEAN press release at: http://www.nmppenergy.org/windgroundbreakingrelease.htm. The MEAN groundbreaking seems to belie a report issued in February by the Nebraska Power Association (NPA). The NPA was asked to examine the feasibility of creating a public authority to develop one or more major wind projects in the state. The report, created at the behest of Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns, concluded that financing issues and perceived financial risks were hurdles too high for a public authority to overcome, but still suggested that its member utilities might support smaller-scale wind projects. The NPA represents public utilities in the state. See the NPA Wind Report at: http://www.nepower.org/Reports/. In the rest of the country, wind projects are advancing steadily. Ameresco Inc., the majority owner of Montana Wind Harness, announced in mid-May that a project to develop 150 megawatts of wind power in Montana is on track, with leasing agreements in hand for a number of key locations. Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light announced in early May that Clipper Windpower, Inc. was selected to provide the utility with 150,000 megawatt-hours of new wind energy by building 29 new wind turbines near Spirit Lake, Iowa. American Electric Power, which bought the 160-megawatt Indian Mesa project in West Texas in January, renamed it the Desert Sky Wind Project and held a dedication ceremony in early May. And Shell WindEnergy bought the 41-megawatt Cabazon Pass wind facility, a project that is being built in California by the Cannon Power Corporation. The facility is expected online in August. See the relevant press releases at: http://www.ameresco.com/release.asp?ID=11, http://www.alliantenergy.com/news/news.php?issueID=303, http://www.desertskywind.com/, and the May 17th press release from Shell at: http://www2.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=media-en. Assistant Secretary Garman Addresses WINDPOWER 2002 David Garman, DOE's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, addressed the WINDPOWER 2002 conference on Monday, highlighting President Bush's national energy policy while focusing on wind energy policy and research. Our investments in wind energy
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 05/29/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 29, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Ohio Governor Announces Fuel Cell Initiative Report: Distributed Generation to Grow 15-Fold by 2011 Companies Developing Alternative Home Power Technologies DOE Publishes Final Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Standards 300-Kilowatt Solar Power System Installed in Arizona California Renews its 20/20 Energy Conservation Program NREL Develops Low-Emissions Natural Gas Engine *Energy Facts and Tips Gas Prices Holding Steady Through Memorial Day Weekend *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Ohio Governor Announces Fuel Cell Initiative Ohio Governor Bob Taft announced in early May a new $100 million, three-year initiative to help Ohio take a leadership position in the fuel cell industry. The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative will expand the state's research capabilities, invest in expanding Ohio's fuel cell industry, and allow the state to participate in hydrogen infrastructure demonstration projects. See the governor's press release at: http://www.state.oh.us/gov/releases/050902fuelcell.htm. New fuel cell technologies were advanced last week when Fuel Cell Technologies Corporation (FCT) announced the successful testing of its 5-kilowatt fuel cell prototype. The prototype uses a solid oxide fuel cell provided by Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation. According to FCT, the prototype produces electricity from natural gas at conversion efficiencies of greater than 40 percent -- that is, more than 40 percent of the energy in the natural gas is converted to electricity. FCT also won a contract in early May from California's South Coast Air Quality Management District for the demonstration of its fuel cell system in ten California homes. See the FCT press releases at: http://www.fct.ca/press.html. The FCT announcement is sure to be one topic of conversation at the 14th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC), to be held in Montreal, Canada, from June 9th to 13th. The conference addresses all aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell developments. The Canadian Hydrogen Association and the National Hydrogen Association in the United States are jointly organizing this year's conference. See the WHEC Web site at: http://www.hydrogen2002.com/. Report: Distributed Generation to Grow 15-Fold by 2011 The global electric capacity of distributed generation sources will grow to 300,000 megawatts by 2011, according to a new report. Distributed generation includes modular forms of generating or storing electricity that can be located near the point of use -- for instance, fuel cells or solar electric systems. An upcoming report from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI) projects a 15-fold increase in the use of distributed generation from today's 20,000 megawatts. According to ABI, reciprocating engines and small gas turbines should dominate the market until about 2005, when fuel cells are expected to grow in prominence. The full report is due out in late June. See the ABI press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.alliedworld.com/pdfs/DGN02pr.pdf. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has recognized the growing distributed generation market and the challenges that it faces. Because one of the major challenges is the interconnection of any generation system with the power grid, NRECA has created a Distributed Generation Toolkit to help its members address the legal, economic and technical issues raised by consumer-owned generation. The toolkit, which was rolled out in April, may also be helpful to others investigating distributed generation. See the toolkit on the NRECA Web site at: http://www.nreca.org/leg_reg/DGToolKit/. Ballard Power Systems Inc., a leading fuel-cell manufacturer, also appears to be anticipating the growing distributed generation market. The company has just produced a new power converter for microturbines and has opened an Alternative Energy Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan, for the testing of generation systems using power sources such as fuel cells, microturbines, and internal combustion engines. See the Ballard press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/EDP_May_21_02.PDF. Companies Developing Alternative Home Power Technologies Two new technologies for distributed generation -- Stirling engines and liquid-injected cogeneration -- have recently appeared on the horizon, although commercial plans for both technologies remain several years in the future. Ocean Power Corporation claims to have developed a home energy system
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 05/29/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 29, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Ohio Governor Announces Fuel Cell Initiative Report: Distributed Generation to Grow 15-Fold by 2011 Companies Developing Alternative Home Power Technologies DOE Publishes Final Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Standards 300-Kilowatt Solar Power System Installed in Arizona California Renews its 20/20 Energy Conservation Program NREL Develops Low-Emissions Natural Gas Engine *Energy Facts and Tips Gas Prices Holding Steady Through Memorial Day Weekend *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Ohio Governor Announces Fuel Cell Initiative Ohio Governor Bob Taft announced in early May a new $100 million, three-year initiative to help Ohio take a leadership position in the fuel cell industry. The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative will expand the state's research capabilities, invest in expanding Ohio's fuel cell industry, and allow the state to participate in hydrogen infrastructure demonstration projects. See the governor's press release at: http://www.state.oh.us/gov/releases/050902fuelcell.htm. New fuel cell technologies were advanced last week when Fuel Cell Technologies Corporation (FCT) announced the successful testing of its 5-kilowatt fuel cell prototype. The prototype uses a solid oxide fuel cell provided by Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation. According to FCT, the prototype produces electricity from natural gas at conversion efficiencies of greater than 40 percent -- that is, more than 40 percent of the energy in the natural gas is converted to electricity. FCT also won a contract in early May from California's South Coast Air Quality Management District for the demonstration of its fuel cell system in ten California homes. See the FCT press releases at: http://www.fct.ca/press.html. The FCT announcement is sure to be one topic of conversation at the 14th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC), to be held in Montreal, Canada, from June 9th to 13th. The conference addresses all aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell developments. The Canadian Hydrogen Association and the National Hydrogen Association in the United States are jointly organizing this year's conference. See the WHEC Web site at: http://www.hydrogen2002.com/. Report: Distributed Generation to Grow 15-Fold by 2011 The global electric capacity of distributed generation sources will grow to 300,000 megawatts by 2011, according to a new report. Distributed generation includes modular forms of generating or storing electricity that can be located near the point of use -- for instance, fuel cells or solar electric systems. An upcoming report from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI) projects a 15-fold increase in the use of distributed generation from today's 20,000 megawatts. According to ABI, reciprocating engines and small gas turbines should dominate the market until about 2005, when fuel cells are expected to grow in prominence. The full report is due out in late June. See the ABI press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.alliedworld.com/pdfs/DGN02pr.pdf. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has recognized the growing distributed generation market and the challenges that it faces. Because one of the major challenges is the interconnection of any generation system with the power grid, NRECA has created a Distributed Generation Toolkit to help its members address the legal, economic and technical issues raised by consumer-owned generation. The toolkit, which was rolled out in April, may also be helpful to others investigating distributed generation. See the toolkit on the NRECA Web site at: http://www.nreca.org/leg_reg/DGToolKit/. Ballard Power Systems Inc., a leading fuel-cell manufacturer, also appears to be anticipating the growing distributed generation market. The company has just produced a new power converter for microturbines and has opened an Alternative Energy Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan, for the testing of generation systems using power sources such as fuel cells, microturbines, and internal combustion engines. See the Ballard press release, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.ballard.com/pdfs/EDP_May_21_02.PDF. Companies Developing Alternative Home Power Technologies Two new technologies for distributed generation -- Stirling engines and liquid-injected cogeneration -- have recently appeared on the horizon, although commercial plans for both technologies remain several years in the future. Ocean Power Corporation claims to have developed a home energy system
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 05/22/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 22, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Spire Opens New Solar Plant; ASE Americas Plans Addition U.S. Solar, Wind Companies Thrive on Exports Oregon Utility Buys Wind Power for the Next 25 Years GM Study Examines Greenhouse Effects of 36 Fuel Technologies DOE Announces 2002 Clean Cities Program Awards California Announces Summer Energy Conservation Plan *Energy Facts and Tips North America Expected to Dodge Power Shortages this Summer *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Spire Opens New Solar Plant; ASE Americas Plans Addition The U.S. solar power industry continued to advance this month with the opening of a new facility in Chicago and the planned addition to a manufacturing plant in Billerica, Massachusetts. Spire Corporation announced in early May the opening of its Spire Solar Chicago manufacturing plant, located in the new Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT). The 14,000- square-foot facility incorporates photovoltaic module manufacturing along with office space and will eventually employ about 55 people. Spire Solar Chicago has already installed about 500 kilowatts of solar power within the city, including a 38-kilowatt installation on Chicago's 911 Emergency Communications Center early this year. The company has also installed 35 kilowatts of solar power on the CCGT, and has signed a multi-year extension of its partnership with the City of Chicago. See the Spire press release at: http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/news/PV371.htm. In Billerica, ASE Americas announced plans to add a new 10-megawatt solar cell manufacturing line to its existing 20-megawatt facility. Solar cell manufacturers measure their production capacity in terms of the peak power capacity of all the cells produced in one year, so the expanded facility will produce 30 megawatts of solar cells each year. The new manufacturing line will be fully automated and will create 30 new jobs at the facility. The first equipment should arrive by December. See the ASE Americas press release at: http://www.asepv.com/News/pr020520.html. Spire and ASE Americas may soon face new competition from overseas: Pacific Solar, an Australian company, released details of its new solar power technology on Monday. The company has developed a method of depositing thin films of crystalline silicon on glass that it claims could achieve costs as low as $1.95 per watt. The company also claims the process is ready for commercialization. See the press release, in Adobe PDF format only, on the Pacific Solar Web site at: http://www.pacificsolar.com.au/MediaReleases/2002May20.pdf. The Pacific Solar announcement was made at the Photovoltaic Specialists Conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., now underway in New Orleans. Abstracts of the papers being presented at the technical conference are now posted on the conference Web site at: http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pvsc/index.html. U.S. Solar, Wind Companies Thrive on Exports While U.S. renewable energy companies face stiff competition from foreign competitors, they also rely heavily on the international market. And while solar companies have traditionally counted on exports of their products, a recent trend in the solar power industry involves the export of the actual production technologies. A case in point is GT Solar Technologies, which in April announced the sale of a photovoltaic wafer production line to China and the sale of a number of furnaces for growing multicrystalline silicon ingots (used for making solar cells) to a company in Germany. In early May, Spire Corporation added to the trend when it sold a 10-megawatt solar module production line to a company in Cyprus. See the press releases from GT Solar and Spire at: http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_04_11.asp, http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_04_29.asp and http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/news/PV370.htm. Meanwhile, the U.S. wind energy industry appears to be staying with the more traditional business model of exporting its products. Southwest Windpower, in fact, was honored in early May with the 2002 Small Business Exporter of the Year award from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Using the Ex-Im Bank's export credit insurance program, Southwest Windpower was able to offer open accounts to its small foreign distributors in markets such as Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, India, South Africa and St. Lucia, easing the distributors' cash flow and allowing them to place larger orders. As a result, 50 percent of the company's revenues came
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 05/22/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 22, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Spire Opens New Solar Plant; ASE Americas Plans Addition U.S. Solar, Wind Companies Thrive on Exports Oregon Utility Buys Wind Power for the Next 25 Years GM Study Examines Greenhouse Effects of 36 Fuel Technologies DOE Announces 2002 Clean Cities Program Awards California Announces Summer Energy Conservation Plan *Energy Facts and Tips North America Expected to Dodge Power Shortages this Summer *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Spire Opens New Solar Plant; ASE Americas Plans Addition The U.S. solar power industry continued to advance this month with the opening of a new facility in Chicago and the planned addition to a manufacturing plant in Billerica, Massachusetts. Spire Corporation announced in early May the opening of its Spire Solar Chicago manufacturing plant, located in the new Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT). The 14,000- square-foot facility incorporates photovoltaic module manufacturing along with office space and will eventually employ about 55 people. Spire Solar Chicago has already installed about 500 kilowatts of solar power within the city, including a 38-kilowatt installation on Chicago's 911 Emergency Communications Center early this year. The company has also installed 35 kilowatts of solar power on the CCGT, and has signed a multi-year extension of its partnership with the City of Chicago. See the Spire press release at: http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/news/PV371.htm. In Billerica, ASE Americas announced plans to add a new 10-megawatt solar cell manufacturing line to its existing 20-megawatt facility. Solar cell manufacturers measure their production capacity in terms of the peak power capacity of all the cells produced in one year, so the expanded facility will produce 30 megawatts of solar cells each year. The new manufacturing line will be fully automated and will create 30 new jobs at the facility. The first equipment should arrive by December. See the ASE Americas press release at: http://www.asepv.com/News/pr020520.html. Spire and ASE Americas may soon face new competition from overseas: Pacific Solar, an Australian company, released details of its new solar power technology on Monday. The company has developed a method of depositing thin films of crystalline silicon on glass that it claims could achieve costs as low as $1.95 per watt. The company also claims the process is ready for commercialization. See the press release, in Adobe PDF format only, on the Pacific Solar Web site at: http://www.pacificsolar.com.au/MediaReleases/2002May20.pdf. The Pacific Solar announcement was made at the Photovoltaic Specialists Conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., now underway in New Orleans. Abstracts of the papers being presented at the technical conference are now posted on the conference Web site at: http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pvsc/index.html. U.S. Solar, Wind Companies Thrive on Exports While U.S. renewable energy companies face stiff competition from foreign competitors, they also rely heavily on the international market. And while solar companies have traditionally counted on exports of their products, a recent trend in the solar power industry involves the export of the actual production technologies. A case in point is GT Solar Technologies, which in April announced the sale of a photovoltaic wafer production line to China and the sale of a number of furnaces for growing multicrystalline silicon ingots (used for making solar cells) to a company in Germany. In early May, Spire Corporation added to the trend when it sold a 10-megawatt solar module production line to a company in Cyprus. See the press releases from GT Solar and Spire at: http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_04_11.asp, http://www.gtsolar.com/press/2002_04_29.asp and http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/news/PV370.htm. Meanwhile, the U.S. wind energy industry appears to be staying with the more traditional business model of exporting its products. Southwest Windpower, in fact, was honored in early May with the 2002 Small Business Exporter of the Year award from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Using the Ex-Im Bank's export credit insurance program, Southwest Windpower was able to offer open accounts to its small foreign distributors in markets such as Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, India, South Africa and St. Lucia, easing the distributors' cash flow and allowing them to place larger orders. As a result, 50 percent of the company's revenues came
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 05/15/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 15, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Farm Bill Boosts Bioenergy Production, Renewable Energy Use Cargill Dow, Ashland to Produce Biobased Solvent GE Buys Enron Wind; Vestas Receives Large U.S. Wind Order New Jersey State Government Buys Green Power Six Green Tag Providers Earn Green-e Certification Rosebud Sioux to Build First Tribal Utility-Scale Turbine EPA Recognizes Nearly 300 Commuter Choice Leaders *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Examines Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, Strength *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Farm Bill Boosts Bioenergy Production, Renewable Energy Use President Bush signed the Farm Bill on Monday, ushering in a variety of programs to encourage the production of energy products on farms while providing incentives for farmers to increase their energy efficiency and their use of renewable energy resources. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman noted that the bill -- officially called the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 -- provides a renewed commitment to renewable fuels programs. See the U.S. Department of Agriculture press release at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/05/0189.htm. Title IX of the bill specifically addresses energy, providing $204 million in subsidies over the next four years for producers of fuel-grade ethanol and biodiesel. It also provides $5 million to educate consumers about biodiesel and $6 million to establish a new program to encourage the purchase of biobased products by federal agencies. The new program will include an effort to establish voluntary labeling of biobased products. The bill encourages farmers to be energy efficient and to use renewable energy systems, including wind energy systems and anaerobic digesters, by providing $115 million over the next five years for low-interest loans, loan guarantees, and grants. It also extends the Biomass Research and Development Initiative through 2006, providing $75 million to continue the Initiative. See the Farm Bill summary on the U.S. Senate Web site at: http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture/Briefs/2001FarmBill/conframe.htm. For more details, including the complete text of the bill, see the link from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition Forestry Web site at: http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture/. The Biomass Research and Development Initiative is a multi-agency effort to coordinate and accelerate all federal biobased products and bioenergy research and development. See the Initiative's Web site at: http://www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/. Cargill Dow, Ashland to Produce Biobased Solvent The biobased chemical industry took a large step forward in late April, when Cargill Dow LLC announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with Ashland Specialty Chemical Company to produce a biobased solvent. Biobased chemicals are produced from organic matter available on a renewable basis -- in this case, the solvent will be produced from corn. Biobased chemical production can potentially consume far less fossil fuels than conventional chemical production processes. Ashland will derive its ethyl lactate solvent from ethanol and a Cargill Dow polymer intermediate called lactide. Cargill Dow's lactide production, in turn, will draw on the company's new plant that produces lactic acid from corn. The electronics-grade solvent has many applications in the semiconductor industry. Since launching its new plant in April, Cargill Dow has also moved ahead on its NatureWorks products, which are produced from lactic acid. The company has demonstrated the superior flame resistance of its NatureWorks fiber, while a leading Italian supermarket is preparing to use NatureWorks materials to produce containers and film wrapping for its food products. By mid-summer, the supermarket plans to distribute fresh food and pasta in the corn-based packaging. See the Cargill Dow press releases at: http://www.cargilldow.com/news.asp. GE Buys Enron Wind; Vestas Receives Large U.S. Wind Order It's finally official: the company formerly known as Enron Wind Corporation is now called GE Wind Energy, a General Electric (GE) company. GE Power Systems announced the acquisition on May 10th. GE has not yet chosen the headquarters location for the new company, which is currently based in Tehachapi, California. See the GE Wind Energy Web site at: www.gewindenergy.com. The U.S. market for wind turbines appears strong: Vestas - American Wind Technology, Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of Vestas Wind Systems A/S) received
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 05/15/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 15, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Farm Bill Boosts Bioenergy Production, Renewable Energy Use Cargill Dow, Ashland to Produce Biobased Solvent GE Buys Enron Wind; Vestas Receives Large U.S. Wind Order New Jersey State Government Buys Green Power Six Green Tag Providers Earn Green-e Certification Rosebud Sioux to Build First Tribal Utility-Scale Turbine EPA Recognizes Nearly 300 Commuter Choice Leaders *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Examines Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, Strength *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Farm Bill Boosts Bioenergy Production, Renewable Energy Use President Bush signed the Farm Bill on Monday, ushering in a variety of programs to encourage the production of energy products on farms while providing incentives for farmers to increase their energy efficiency and their use of renewable energy resources. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman noted that the bill -- officially called the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 -- provides a renewed commitment to renewable fuels programs. See the U.S. Department of Agriculture press release at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/05/0189.htm. Title IX of the bill specifically addresses energy, providing $204 million in subsidies over the next four years for producers of fuel-grade ethanol and biodiesel. It also provides $5 million to educate consumers about biodiesel and $6 million to establish a new program to encourage the purchase of biobased products by federal agencies. The new program will include an effort to establish voluntary labeling of biobased products. The bill encourages farmers to be energy efficient and to use renewable energy systems, including wind energy systems and anaerobic digesters, by providing $115 million over the next five years for low-interest loans, loan guarantees, and grants. It also extends the Biomass Research and Development Initiative through 2006, providing $75 million to continue the Initiative. See the Farm Bill summary on the U.S. Senate Web site at: http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture/Briefs/2001FarmBill/conframe.htm. For more details, including the complete text of the bill, see the link from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition Forestry Web site at: http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture/. The Biomass Research and Development Initiative is a multi-agency effort to coordinate and accelerate all federal biobased products and bioenergy research and development. See the Initiative's Web site at: http://www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/. Cargill Dow, Ashland to Produce Biobased Solvent The biobased chemical industry took a large step forward in late April, when Cargill Dow LLC announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with Ashland Specialty Chemical Company to produce a biobased solvent. Biobased chemicals are produced from organic matter available on a renewable basis -- in this case, the solvent will be produced from corn. Biobased chemical production can potentially consume far less fossil fuels than conventional chemical production processes. Ashland will derive its ethyl lactate solvent from ethanol and a Cargill Dow polymer intermediate called lactide. Cargill Dow's lactide production, in turn, will draw on the company's new plant that produces lactic acid from corn. The electronics-grade solvent has many applications in the semiconductor industry. Since launching its new plant in April, Cargill Dow has also moved ahead on its NatureWorks products, which are produced from lactic acid. The company has demonstrated the superior flame resistance of its NatureWorks fiber, while a leading Italian supermarket is preparing to use NatureWorks materials to produce containers and film wrapping for its food products. By mid-summer, the supermarket plans to distribute fresh food and pasta in the corn-based packaging. See the Cargill Dow press releases at: http://www.cargilldow.com/news.asp. GE Buys Enron Wind; Vestas Receives Large U.S. Wind Order It's finally official: the company formerly known as Enron Wind Corporation is now called GE Wind Energy, a General Electric (GE) company. GE Power Systems announced the acquisition on May 10th. GE has not yet chosen the headquarters location for the new company, which is currently based in Tehachapi, California. See the GE Wind Energy Web site at: www.gewindenergy.com. The U.S. market for wind turbines appears strong: Vestas - American Wind Technology, Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of Vestas Wind Systems A/S) received
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 05/08/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 8, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events G-8 Energy Ministers Emphasize Energy Efficiency, Renewables Vehicle Technologies Highlighted During G-8 Energy Forum Colleges, Universities Buy Wind Power, Cut Greenhouse Gases BP to Switch to Ethanol in California by Year-End New Fuel Cell Projects Installed Throughout the Country Miniature Fuel Cells Show Hope for Portable Electronics DOE Awards $9.9 Million for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips Responding to Drought: Saving Water Also Saves Energy *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- G-8 Energy Ministers Emphasize Energy Efficiency, Renewables A meeting last week of the energy ministers from the Group of Eight (G-8) countries resulted in a published statement that shows considerable support for the roles of energy efficiency and renewable energy in meeting the world's energy needs. The ministers from the leading industrialized countries noted that energy security, economic growth, environmental protection, and sustainable development are supported by improved energy efficiency and diversified energy sources. They also reaffirmed the importance of renewable energy for diversifying energy supplies. The ministers committed to explore areas where existing cooperation among their countries in energy science and technology could be strengthened, particularly in the areas of emerging renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner energy technologies. They also vowed to continue to encourage the development and introduction of these technologies, and noted that significant investments will be needed. They noted that private investments could be facilitated by sound policies, and affirmed the importance of working with developing countries to help them develop such policies. Brian Wilson, the U.K. Minister for Energy, gave a keynote speech that emphasized the role of renewable energy in eliminating poverty, noting that 1.7 billion people still have no access to electricity. Renewable technologies offer huge opportunities to reduce that figure, said Wilson. We need to adopt the scale of vision which the G8 Renewable Energy Task Force recommended. They concluded that a billion people could be supplied with renewable energy over the next decade. See the May 2nd press release from the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry at: http://www.nds.coi.gov.uk/coi/coipress.nsf/gti. The G-8 countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, which was represented by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. The meeting, held in Detroit, Michigan, was co-chaired by Secretary Abraham and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Herb Dhaliwal. See the statement from the co-chairs on the DOE Web site at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/maypr/G8Statement.htm. Vehicle Technologies Highlighted During G-8 Energy Forum Prior to the Detroit meeting of the G-8 Energy Ministers on May 3rd, a two-day G-8 Energy Forum brought together business leaders, public interest groups, energy experts and other interested members of the public to discuss energy policies. The forum, sponsored by the State of Michigan and the United States Energy Association (USEA), touched on a range of energy issues, but focused largely on transportation technologies. See the USEA Web site at: http://www.usea.org/g8ministerialforum.htm. The full proceedings are posted on the USEA Web site at: http://www.usea.org/energyforumproceedings.htm. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced during the forum that DOE will host an international conference on future transportation technologies this fall. The International Conference on the Future of Energy Transportation Technologies will also be held in Detroit and will focus on hydrogen fuel cell technologies for cars and trucks -- a research area currently being pursued by DOE's FreedomCAR program. The conference is also expected to include sessions on energy-efficient vehicle technologies, lower-emission drives for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, alternative fuels, public transportation, and urban planning and traffic management. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/maypr/pr02074.htm. General Motors Corporation showcased its AUTOnomy fuel- cell concept vehicle at the forum, as well as its Parallel Hybrid Truck. Delphi Corporation featured a range of efficient vehicle technologies. See the press releases at: http://www.delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr11805-05012002 and http://gm.com
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 05/08/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 8, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events G-8 Energy Ministers Emphasize Energy Efficiency, Renewables Vehicle Technologies Highlighted During G-8 Energy Forum Colleges, Universities Buy Wind Power, Cut Greenhouse Gases BP to Switch to Ethanol in California by Year-End New Fuel Cell Projects Installed Throughout the Country Miniature Fuel Cells Show Hope for Portable Electronics DOE Awards $9.9 Million for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips Responding to Drought: Saving Water Also Saves Energy *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- G-8 Energy Ministers Emphasize Energy Efficiency, Renewables A meeting last week of the energy ministers from the Group of Eight (G-8) countries resulted in a published statement that shows considerable support for the roles of energy efficiency and renewable energy in meeting the world's energy needs. The ministers from the leading industrialized countries noted that energy security, economic growth, environmental protection, and sustainable development are supported by improved energy efficiency and diversified energy sources. They also reaffirmed the importance of renewable energy for diversifying energy supplies. The ministers committed to explore areas where existing cooperation among their countries in energy science and technology could be strengthened, particularly in the areas of emerging renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner energy technologies. They also vowed to continue to encourage the development and introduction of these technologies, and noted that significant investments will be needed. They noted that private investments could be facilitated by sound policies, and affirmed the importance of working with developing countries to help them develop such policies. Brian Wilson, the U.K. Minister for Energy, gave a keynote speech that emphasized the role of renewable energy in eliminating poverty, noting that 1.7 billion people still have no access to electricity. Renewable technologies offer huge opportunities to reduce that figure, said Wilson. We need to adopt the scale of vision which the G8 Renewable Energy Task Force recommended. They concluded that a billion people could be supplied with renewable energy over the next decade. See the May 2nd press release from the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry at: http://www.nds.coi.gov.uk/coi/coipress.nsf/gti. The G-8 countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, which was represented by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. The meeting, held in Detroit, Michigan, was co-chaired by Secretary Abraham and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Herb Dhaliwal. See the statement from the co-chairs on the DOE Web site at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/maypr/G8Statement.htm. Vehicle Technologies Highlighted During G-8 Energy Forum Prior to the Detroit meeting of the G-8 Energy Ministers on May 3rd, a two-day G-8 Energy Forum brought together business leaders, public interest groups, energy experts and other interested members of the public to discuss energy policies. The forum, sponsored by the State of Michigan and the United States Energy Association (USEA), touched on a range of energy issues, but focused largely on transportation technologies. See the USEA Web site at: http://www.usea.org/g8ministerialforum.htm. The full proceedings are posted on the USEA Web site at: http://www.usea.org/energyforumproceedings.htm. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced during the forum that DOE will host an international conference on future transportation technologies this fall. The International Conference on the Future of Energy Transportation Technologies will also be held in Detroit and will focus on hydrogen fuel cell technologies for cars and trucks -- a research area currently being pursued by DOE's FreedomCAR program. The conference is also expected to include sessions on energy-efficient vehicle technologies, lower-emission drives for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, alternative fuels, public transportation, and urban planning and traffic management. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/maypr/pr02074.htm. General Motors Corporation showcased its AUTOnomy fuel- cell concept vehicle at the forum, as well as its Parallel Hybrid Truck. Delphi Corporation featured a range of efficient vehicle technologies. See the press releases at: http://www.delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr11805-05012002 and http://gm.com
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 05/1/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 1, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New State Initiatives and Laws to Boost Renewable Energy Utah Enacts Net Metering Legislation, Kentucky Starts Pilot Environmental Summit Yields Renewable Power Recommendations DOE Funds Research to Increase Geothermal Production DOE, BPA to Test Environmentally Friendly Turbines Zero-Energy House Featured in Atlanta and on National Mall Houston Group to Plan Ways to Fight Heat Island Effect *Energy Facts and Tips Is Nuclear Power Coming Back in the United States? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New State Initiatives and Laws to Boost Renewable Energy A proposed initiative in Michigan and new laws and regulations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are likely to increase the production and use of renewable energy in each of the states. In Michigan, Governor John Engler announced in mid-April his NextEnergy economic development plan, which focuses on hydrogen-powered fuel cells but also encourages the establishment of other renewable energy industries in the state. The energy blueprint proposes a 700-acre, tax-free NextEnergyZone near Ann Arbor, including a state-of-the- art clearinghouse and information resource called the NextEnergy Center. With its proposals for a national certification and standards program, tax incentives and exemptions, microgrid demonstrations, and an international conference, the NextEnergy program could catalyze the development of renewable and fuel cell industries in the state. See the NextEnergy Web site, with links to the governor's announcement, at: http://www.nextenergy.org/default.htm. In Massachusetts, new regulations are in place for a statewide standard for production of electricity from renewable energy sources. The Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) specifies that retail suppliers of electricity must draw on new renewable energy projects to provide one percent of their power in 2003, increasing to four percent by 2009. However, electricity suppliers can avoid the requirement by purchasing credits from the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, which administers the state's Renewable Energy Trust. For 2003, the credits will cost $50 per megawatt-hour, or 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is likely to be higher than the incremental cost of new renewable power sources. The regulation is expected to take effect this month. See the RPS regulations on the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources Web site at: http://www.state.ma.us/doer/rps/index.htm. New Hampshire is approaching power production from the opposite direction, through regulation of power-plant emissions. The state's new multiple pollutant reduction program is the first in the country to include carbon dioxide emissions. The program caps emissions at their current levels and establishes a system of emissions credits that can be traded among power generators. It also requires the state's Department of Environmental Services to establish an integrated strategy to reduce emissions, including the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The legislation anticipates lowering the carbon emissions cap in 2010. See the New Hampshire bill at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2002/hb0284.html. Utah Enacts Net Metering Legislation, Kentucky Starts Pilot Utah and Kentucky have joined the ranks of states in which the state's utilities offer net metering to their customers. Net metering allows customers to install their own power generation systems and feed excess power back into the grid. Customers are billed only for their net electricity use over a month or a year -- ideally, their meter turns backwards when they are feeding power into the grid. Net metering is usually limited to clean power sources of a certain size. The Utah legislation, which takes effect next week, applies to renewable energy and fuel cell installations of not more than 25 kilowatts. See the Utah bill at: http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2002/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0007.htm. In Kentucky, net metering will be tested through pilot programs run by the Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the Kentucky Utilities Company. The three-year pilots will allow 25 customers of each utility to try net metering, with residential customers limited to 10-kilowatt systems and non-residential customers limited to 25-kilowatt systems. The pilot applies to wind, hydropower, and solar installations. The utilities will install sophisticated meters to examine whether the systems feed power to the grid
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 05/1/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- May 1, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New State Initiatives and Laws to Boost Renewable Energy Utah Enacts Net Metering Legislation, Kentucky Starts Pilot Environmental Summit Yields Renewable Power Recommendations DOE Funds Research to Increase Geothermal Production DOE, BPA to Test Environmentally Friendly Turbines Zero-Energy House Featured in Atlanta and on National Mall Houston Group to Plan Ways to Fight Heat Island Effect *Energy Facts and Tips Is Nuclear Power Coming Back in the United States? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New State Initiatives and Laws to Boost Renewable Energy A proposed initiative in Michigan and new laws and regulations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are likely to increase the production and use of renewable energy in each of the states. In Michigan, Governor John Engler announced in mid-April his NextEnergy economic development plan, which focuses on hydrogen-powered fuel cells but also encourages the establishment of other renewable energy industries in the state. The energy blueprint proposes a 700-acre, tax-free NextEnergyZone near Ann Arbor, including a state-of-the- art clearinghouse and information resource called the NextEnergy Center. With its proposals for a national certification and standards program, tax incentives and exemptions, microgrid demonstrations, and an international conference, the NextEnergy program could catalyze the development of renewable and fuel cell industries in the state. See the NextEnergy Web site, with links to the governor's announcement, at: http://www.nextenergy.org/default.htm. In Massachusetts, new regulations are in place for a statewide standard for production of electricity from renewable energy sources. The Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) specifies that retail suppliers of electricity must draw on new renewable energy projects to provide one percent of their power in 2003, increasing to four percent by 2009. However, electricity suppliers can avoid the requirement by purchasing credits from the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, which administers the state's Renewable Energy Trust. For 2003, the credits will cost $50 per megawatt-hour, or 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is likely to be higher than the incremental cost of new renewable power sources. The regulation is expected to take effect this month. See the RPS regulations on the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources Web site at: http://www.state.ma.us/doer/rps/index.htm. New Hampshire is approaching power production from the opposite direction, through regulation of power-plant emissions. The state's new multiple pollutant reduction program is the first in the country to include carbon dioxide emissions. The program caps emissions at their current levels and establishes a system of emissions credits that can be traded among power generators. It also requires the state's Department of Environmental Services to establish an integrated strategy to reduce emissions, including the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The legislation anticipates lowering the carbon emissions cap in 2010. See the New Hampshire bill at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2002/hb0284.html. Utah Enacts Net Metering Legislation, Kentucky Starts Pilot Utah and Kentucky have joined the ranks of states in which the state's utilities offer net metering to their customers. Net metering allows customers to install their own power generation systems and feed excess power back into the grid. Customers are billed only for their net electricity use over a month or a year -- ideally, their meter turns backwards when they are feeding power into the grid. Net metering is usually limited to clean power sources of a certain size. The Utah legislation, which takes effect next week, applies to renewable energy and fuel cell installations of not more than 25 kilowatts. See the Utah bill at: http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2002/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0007.htm. In Kentucky, net metering will be tested through pilot programs run by the Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the Kentucky Utilities Company. The three-year pilots will allow 25 customers of each utility to try net metering, with residential customers limited to 10-kilowatt systems and non-residential customers limited to 25-kilowatt systems. The pilot applies to wind, hydropower, and solar installations. The utilities will install sophisticated meters to examine whether the systems feed power to the grid
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 04/24/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 24, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events DOE, Ronald Reagan Building Buy Green Power for Earth Day Bid on a Toyota Prius, the Top-Selling HEV, for Earth Day Long Island Could Draw on 5,200 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Architects Award the Top Green Building Projects for 2002 More Record-Breaking Solar Power Systems in California Company Produces Bright White LED Light Source *Site News managEnergy *Energy Facts and Tips Global Temperature Hits New Record for March *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- DOE, Ronald Reagan Building Buy Green Power for Earth Day DOE celebrated Earth Day on Monday by buying electricity from renewable energy sources for its headquarter buildings. DOE is buying enough green power to provide 17 percent of the electricity needs at its headquarters facilities in Washington, D.C., and in Germantown, Maryland. Pepco Energy Services will provide 6 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year to the facilities, of which 25 percent will be generated from wind energy and 75 percent will come from landfill gas. The green power purchase -- enough to power 600 homes -- comes at no additional net cost to DOE. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/aprpr/pr02068.htm. The DOE green power purchase was actually part of a larger purchase arranged by the Government Services Agency (GSA). According to GSA, it will purchase a total of 24 million kilowatt-hours of green power over 17 months, of which half will go to DOE and half will go to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. GSA says the power will cost less than a penny more per kilowatt-hour than conventional power sources, amounting to an added cost of about $230,000 over the 17-month period. See the April 22nd press release on the GSA Web site at: http://w3.gsa.gov/web/x/publicaffairs.nsf/publicnews. The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is home to more than 5,000 federal employees and is the largest government building in Washington, DC. It houses trade-related government agencies as well as a variety of private businesses and non-governmental organizations. See the Web site at: http://www.itcdc.com/. Earth Day also marked the first day for many Georgians to buy green power from their utility. Sixteen electric cooperatives in Georgia started offering green power to their customers on Monday. The cooperatives are currently selling a total of 8 megawatts of power produced from landfill methane gas. See the Walton Electric Membership Corporation press release at: http://www.waltonemc.com/News/press98.html. Bid on a Toyota Prius, the Top-Selling HEV, for Earth Day Toyota Motor Sales and eBay, the popular internet-based auction site, have a new way for you to support Earth Day: bid on a Toyota Prius. The high bidder takes home a low- emissions, high-mileage hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and the proceeds go to the Earth Day Network. Toyota donated the vehicle, which has an average retail value of $21,897. Bids close on Saturday; at press time, the high bid was $21,550. Sorry, the Prius can only be delivered within the United States. See the eBay Web site at: http://members.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aboutme/priusearthday. According to the Earth Day Network, nearly 800 Earth Day events occurred across the United States on Monday. See the April 11th press release on the Earth Day Network at: http://www.earthday.net/pressroom/pressreleases/. Toyota has reason to be proud of its achievements: the company announced on Earth Day that its cumulative global sales of hybrid vehicles have topped 100,000. Customers in more than 20 countries have purchased more than 89,000 Priuses, while the company's lineup in Japan has expanded to include a hybrid electric sport utility vehicle and minivan. Combined, the company's sales give it a 90 percent share of the hybrid electric vehicle market. See the Toyota press release at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/index.html#environment. The Prius, of course, has new competition in the form of the Honda Civic Hybrid. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the new Civic Hybrid earns the same green score for emissions and efficiency as the Prius. The Honda Insight is still in first place. See the ACEEE press release at: http://greenercars.com/pr8.html. See the latest rankings at: http://greenercars.com/gc2000.html. For more information on the Civic Hybrid, see the new Honda Web site at: http://civichybrid.honda.com
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 04/24/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 24, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events DOE, Ronald Reagan Building Buy Green Power for Earth Day Bid on a Toyota Prius, the Top-Selling HEV, for Earth Day Long Island Could Draw on 5,200 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Architects Award the Top Green Building Projects for 2002 More Record-Breaking Solar Power Systems in California Company Produces Bright White LED Light Source *Site News managEnergy *Energy Facts and Tips Global Temperature Hits New Record for March *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- DOE, Ronald Reagan Building Buy Green Power for Earth Day DOE celebrated Earth Day on Monday by buying electricity from renewable energy sources for its headquarter buildings. DOE is buying enough green power to provide 17 percent of the electricity needs at its headquarters facilities in Washington, D.C., and in Germantown, Maryland. Pepco Energy Services will provide 6 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year to the facilities, of which 25 percent will be generated from wind energy and 75 percent will come from landfill gas. The green power purchase -- enough to power 600 homes -- comes at no additional net cost to DOE. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/aprpr/pr02068.htm. The DOE green power purchase was actually part of a larger purchase arranged by the Government Services Agency (GSA). According to GSA, it will purchase a total of 24 million kilowatt-hours of green power over 17 months, of which half will go to DOE and half will go to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. GSA says the power will cost less than a penny more per kilowatt-hour than conventional power sources, amounting to an added cost of about $230,000 over the 17-month period. See the April 22nd press release on the GSA Web site at: http://w3.gsa.gov/web/x/publicaffairs.nsf/publicnews. The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is home to more than 5,000 federal employees and is the largest government building in Washington, DC. It houses trade-related government agencies as well as a variety of private businesses and non-governmental organizations. See the Web site at: http://www.itcdc.com/. Earth Day also marked the first day for many Georgians to buy green power from their utility. Sixteen electric cooperatives in Georgia started offering green power to their customers on Monday. The cooperatives are currently selling a total of 8 megawatts of power produced from landfill methane gas. See the Walton Electric Membership Corporation press release at: http://www.waltonemc.com/News/press98.html. Bid on a Toyota Prius, the Top-Selling HEV, for Earth Day Toyota Motor Sales and eBay, the popular internet-based auction site, have a new way for you to support Earth Day: bid on a Toyota Prius. The high bidder takes home a low- emissions, high-mileage hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and the proceeds go to the Earth Day Network. Toyota donated the vehicle, which has an average retail value of $21,897. Bids close on Saturday; at press time, the high bid was $21,550. Sorry, the Prius can only be delivered within the United States. See the eBay Web site at: http://members.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aboutme/priusearthday. According to the Earth Day Network, nearly 800 Earth Day events occurred across the United States on Monday. See the April 11th press release on the Earth Day Network at: http://www.earthday.net/pressroom/pressreleases/. Toyota has reason to be proud of its achievements: the company announced on Earth Day that its cumulative global sales of hybrid vehicles have topped 100,000. Customers in more than 20 countries have purchased more than 89,000 Priuses, while the company's lineup in Japan has expanded to include a hybrid electric sport utility vehicle and minivan. Combined, the company's sales give it a 90 percent share of the hybrid electric vehicle market. See the Toyota press release at: http://www.toyota.com/about/news/index.html#environment. The Prius, of course, has new competition in the form of the Honda Civic Hybrid. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the new Civic Hybrid earns the same green score for emissions and efficiency as the Prius. The Honda Insight is still in first place. See the ACEEE press release at: http://greenercars.com/pr8.html. See the latest rankings at: http://greenercars.com/gc2000.html. For more information on the Civic Hybrid, see the new Honda Web site at: http://civichybrid.honda.com
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 04/17/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 17, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GE Purchase of Enron Wind Approved in Bankruptcy Court Non-Profits Launch Small Wind Turbine Co-op in Northwest USDA Funds Biomass Projects in Illinois, Oklahoma New Superconductor Wire Manufacturing Plant Starts Test Run Solar Cell Manufacturer Expands to Meet Growing Demand Solar Power Systems Bring the Internet to the Navajo Nation Central Ohio Joins Clean Cities Program *Site News BioMatNet *Energy Facts and Tips Will Drought Conditions Affect Hydropower Generation? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GE Purchase of Enron Wind Approved in Bankruptcy Court GE Power Systems moved near to acquiring Enron Wind Corporation last week, when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the purchase. According to General Electric Company (GE), the purchase is still subject to approval by the European Union (EU), which is expected within the next several weeks. See the April 12th press release on the GE Web site at: http://www.ge.com/cgi-bin/biz-pressroom-list.pl?list=all. On the same day the U.S. court made its decision, the EU issued its prior notification on the purchase. The European Commission (the executive body of the EU) appeared likely to approve the purchase, although it reserved a final decision. It requested third-party comments on the purchase by the end of this week. See page seven of April 11th edition of the Official Journal of the European Communities at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/oj/2002/c_08720020411en.html. Non-Profits Launch Small Wind Turbine Co-op in Northwest A collaborative of non-profit groups in the Pacific Northwest plan to start up a new wind power cooperative, the groups announced last week. Called Our Wind Co-op, the cooperative will install small wind turbines on farms, ranches, and rural facilities throughout the region and sell their environmental attributes through a green tag system. Most of the host sites will receive a 10-kilowatt turbine manufactured by Bergey Windpower and capable of generating up to 1600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. The co-op organizers are currently negotiating with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for funding to support the project. See the announcement on the Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSEED) Web site at: http://www.nwseed.org/nwswtc.asp. Wondering if you're in a good area of the Northwest for wind power? With partial support from DOE, NWSEED has put together a series of wind resource maps for the five-state region, as well as for selected portions of California, Nevada, and Utah. The site includes maps of power and wind speed at heights of 50 meters as well as wind speed at heights of 30 meters. It also includes an interactive tool for zooming in on specific locations within the maps. See the Wind Power Maps Web site at: http://www.windpowermaps.org/windmaps/windmaps.asp. The green tags that the co-op plans to sell are also referred to as tradable renewable energy credits. They serve as an innovative market mechanism to help expand the use of renewable energy. For more information, see the Green-e story in last week's EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2002/apr10_02.html. Green tags are one of the topics to be tackled at the Green Trading Summit, coming up in mid-May in New York City. The summit is sponsored in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. See the announcement at: http://www.global-change.com/conferences.html. USDA Funds Biomass Projects in Illinois, Oklahoma Farmers in Illinois and Oklahoma will soon be growing switchgrass that will help fuel their local power plants, thanks to new funding announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in late March. The Illinois project, located near the town of Havana, will convert the switchgrass into pellets that will be burned along with coal. In Oklahoma, Old World Bluestem grass and some native grasses will be collected from a five-county part of the panhandle. The project will work to find markets for the biomass and will also try combining the pelletized grass with the state's high-sulfur coal to produce a cleaner-burning product. See the USDA press release at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/03/0115.htm. New Superconductor Wire Manufacturing Plant Starts Test Run American Superconductor Corporation announced yesterday that it is starting to run production tests at its new manufacturing facility for high-temperature superconductor
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 04/17/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 17, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events GE Purchase of Enron Wind Approved in Bankruptcy Court Non-Profits Launch Small Wind Turbine Co-op in Northwest USDA Funds Biomass Projects in Illinois, Oklahoma New Superconductor Wire Manufacturing Plant Starts Test Run Solar Cell Manufacturer Expands to Meet Growing Demand Solar Power Systems Bring the Internet to the Navajo Nation Central Ohio Joins Clean Cities Program *Site News BioMatNet *Energy Facts and Tips Will Drought Conditions Affect Hydropower Generation? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- GE Purchase of Enron Wind Approved in Bankruptcy Court GE Power Systems moved near to acquiring Enron Wind Corporation last week, when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the purchase. According to General Electric Company (GE), the purchase is still subject to approval by the European Union (EU), which is expected within the next several weeks. See the April 12th press release on the GE Web site at: http://www.ge.com/cgi-bin/biz-pressroom-list.pl?list=all. On the same day the U.S. court made its decision, the EU issued its prior notification on the purchase. The European Commission (the executive body of the EU) appeared likely to approve the purchase, although it reserved a final decision. It requested third-party comments on the purchase by the end of this week. See page seven of April 11th edition of the Official Journal of the European Communities at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/oj/2002/c_08720020411en.html. Non-Profits Launch Small Wind Turbine Co-op in Northwest A collaborative of non-profit groups in the Pacific Northwest plan to start up a new wind power cooperative, the groups announced last week. Called Our Wind Co-op, the cooperative will install small wind turbines on farms, ranches, and rural facilities throughout the region and sell their environmental attributes through a green tag system. Most of the host sites will receive a 10-kilowatt turbine manufactured by Bergey Windpower and capable of generating up to 1600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. The co-op organizers are currently negotiating with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for funding to support the project. See the announcement on the Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSEED) Web site at: http://www.nwseed.org/nwswtc.asp. Wondering if you're in a good area of the Northwest for wind power? With partial support from DOE, NWSEED has put together a series of wind resource maps for the five-state region, as well as for selected portions of California, Nevada, and Utah. The site includes maps of power and wind speed at heights of 50 meters as well as wind speed at heights of 30 meters. It also includes an interactive tool for zooming in on specific locations within the maps. See the Wind Power Maps Web site at: http://www.windpowermaps.org/windmaps/windmaps.asp. The green tags that the co-op plans to sell are also referred to as tradable renewable energy credits. They serve as an innovative market mechanism to help expand the use of renewable energy. For more information, see the Green-e story in last week's EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2002/apr10_02.html. Green tags are one of the topics to be tackled at the Green Trading Summit, coming up in mid-May in New York City. The summit is sponsored in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. See the announcement at: http://www.global-change.com/conferences.html. USDA Funds Biomass Projects in Illinois, Oklahoma Farmers in Illinois and Oklahoma will soon be growing switchgrass that will help fuel their local power plants, thanks to new funding announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in late March. The Illinois project, located near the town of Havana, will convert the switchgrass into pellets that will be burned along with coal. In Oklahoma, Old World Bluestem grass and some native grasses will be collected from a five-county part of the panhandle. The project will work to find markets for the biomass and will also try combining the pelletized grass with the state's high-sulfur coal to produce a cleaner-burning product. See the USDA press release at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/03/0115.htm. New Superconductor Wire Manufacturing Plant Starts Test Run American Superconductor Corporation announced yesterday that it is starting to run production tests at its new manufacturing facility for high-temperature superconductor
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 04/10/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 10, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Portland Slated for Wind Turbine Plant to Meet High Demand Factory Starts Full-Scale Production of Plastics from Corn Green-e Certifies Tradable Renewable Energy Certificates DOE's Renewable, Efficiency Office Releases Program Review High-Tech Firms to Investigate Distributed Energy Resources DOE Awards $74.7 Million for Home Weatherization *Site News EREN Energy Education Training Site *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Gasoline Prices to be Lower this Summer than Last *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Portland Slated for Wind Turbine Plant to Meet High Demand Vestas Wind Systems A/S, a Danish manufacturer of wind turbines, announced last week that it will build a new wind turbine manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon, to meet its growing North American market. The new facility will manufacture wind blades and towers and will assemble nacelles, the part of the turbine that houses the generator, drive mechanisms, and controls. Capable of producing 300 utility-scale turbines per year, the facility should start production in mid-2003 and reach full capacity by early 2004. See the Vestas press release at: http://www.vestas.com/nyheder/presse/2002/UK/fond20020403_UK.html. Vestas made the announcement following its receipt of an order for 175 of its 660-kilowatt wind turbines from FPL Energy, LLC. The order calls for delivery of the turbines this year and next and includes an option for an additional 650 turbines. According to Vestas, the order has a value of about $59 million initially and as much as $272 million if the option is exercised. FPL Energy plans to build up to 2,000 megawatts of new wind power capacity by the end of 2003. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/newsreleases/2002/02036.html. FPL Energy is the developer, owner, and operator of the 263-megawatt Stateline Energy Center, a wind project that began full operation in December 2001 and was dedicated last week. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/newsreleases/2002/02035.html. The Vestas news may spur some additional interest in the Second Environmental Summit on the West, to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 24-26. Sponsored by the Western Governor's Association (WGA) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the summit will include a half-day breakout session on expanding the use of renewable energy resources in the West. Western governors will be joined by White House dignitaries at the event. See the WGA announcement at: http://www.westgov.org/wga/press/enlibra_summitII_announce.htm. Factory Starts Full-Scale Production of Plastics from Corn Cargill Dow LLC announced last week the grand opening of the world's first global-scale manufacturing facility to make commercial-grade plastic from a renewable resource. Cargill Dow's new facility in Blair, Nebraska, will use up to 40,000 bushels of corn each day and is capable of producing more than 300 million pounds of polylactide (PLA) each year. Sold under the NatureWorks trade name, the PLA will be used as a fiber for clothing and bedding and as a plastic for food packaging and other uses. In fact, the properties of the PLA fiber are exceptional enough to earn a designation from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission as a new generic fiber, joining the ranks of polyester and natural fibers such as cotton. According to Cargill Dow, the production cycle of PLA consumes up to 50 percent less fossil fuels than traditional petroleum-based plastics, and PLA production will produce from 15 to 60 percent less greenhouse gas than the materials it will replace. The company intends to invest $250 million over the next several years for commercial development and product technology development, as well as for research into ways to produce PLA from other plants and even agricultural wastes. See the Cargill Dow press releases at: http://www.cargilldow.com/news.asp. Green-e Certifies Tradable Renewable Energy Certificates The Center for Resource Solutions announced in late March that it is now offering Green-e certification of tradable renewable energy credits (TRCs), also known as green tags. TRCs allow a company to build a renewable energy facility anywhere and sell the power into the local power system at the going rate. The company then sells the environmental attributes of the power through TRCs. Since renewable energy sources are often more expensive than traditional power sources, TRC sales
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 04/03/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- April 3, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events New Solar Cell Design Combines Plastics, Nanorods 36 Businesses and Organizations Win Energy Star Awards Fuel Cell-Microturbine Hybrid Passes Performance Test Wisconsin to Draw on Animal Waste for 15 Megawatts of Power New Minnesota Law Mandates 2-Percent Biodiesel Blend BC Hydro Announces Second Agreement for Ocean Wave Energy DOE Awards $2 Million to Industry, $2.8 Million to Oregon *Site News DOE's Subject Portals *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Sees 60 Percent Growth in World Energy Use by 2020 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- New Solar Cell Design Combines Plastics, Nanorods Researchers at DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have developed a new recipe for producing solar cells: combine nanometer-sized rods (nanorods) of semiconducting material with a conductive plastic called P3HT, and spin-cast the mixture onto glass. The result: an inexpensive device that can convert about 6.9 percent of indoor light into electricity. The results in sunlight are less promising -- converting only 1.7 percent of sunlight into electricity -- but the researchers expect to be able to improve on that number. The research, conducted in collaboration with the University of California at Berkeley, was published in the March 29th edition of the journal Science. The researchers used cadmium selenide rods measuring just 7 nanometers -- that's one billionth of a meter -- in diameter and 60 nanometers in length. They found that modifying the diameter of the nanorods allowed them to tune the solar cells to respond to light of varying frequencies. This intriguing result suggests that the cells could possibly be built in several layers, each of which would respond to different frequencies of sunlight. Such tandem solar cell designs have achieved high efficiencies in the past using more traditional semiconducting materials. The use of plastic to form the solar cells suggests that they could be cast into a variety of flexible or rigid shapes, opening up a wide range of potential applications. See the March 29th press release on the LBL Web site at: http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/News-Releases.html. While plastics and nanotubes may one day be the basis of a new solar cell industry, for now the industry continues to rely heavily on the same material that fuels computer chips: silicon. And although the solar cell industry has often played the neglected stepsister to the semiconductor industry, that may be changing. In late March, Advanced Silicon Materials LLC (ASiMI), a producer of high-purity silicon for the semiconductor industry, announced a joint venture with Renewable Energy Corporation of Norway to produce polycrystalline silicon for solar cells at its plant in Moses Lake, Washington. The plant, which accounts for 40 percent of the company's production capability, was largely shut down in early March due to a slowdown in the semiconductor industry. Converting the plant to produce solar-grade silicon will provide a stable supply of the material for the solar cell industry while providing new growth potential for ASiMI. See the ASiMI press releases at: http://www.asimi.com/newsreleaseslist.html. 36 Businesses and Organizations Win Energy Star Awards DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored 36 businesses and organizations with Energy Star Partner Awards in a ceremony last week. Of the many awards for excellence, 12 went to manufacturers of energy efficient products, 9 were awarded for energy management, 7 were for energy efficient homes, and 4 were for consumer education. In addition, three companies were singled out for special recognition, and one company -- Verizon Communications Inc. -- earned the Corporate Commitment Award. Verizon not only promoted energy efficiency within the company, but also spearheaded efforts to encourage energy efficiency within the entire telecommunications industry. See the press release and awards brochure on the Energy Star News Room Web page at: http://www.epa.gov/nrgystar/news.html. One example of Verizon's corporate commitment to energy efficiency is the company's purchase of seven 200-kilowatt fuel cells for a critical call-routing center in Garden City on New York's Long Island. The 1.4-megawatt system will be the world's largest fuel cell installation and will also produce more than 6 million Btu of usable heat. Verizon will also install four generators powered by natural gas to form a hybrid power system
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 03/27/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 27, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Ford: Fuel-Cell-Powered Focus Available for Fleets in 2004 Hybrid Electric Honda Civic Hits Dealerships This Week Tally of Highly Energy-Efficient U.S. Buildings Reaches 729 California Offers $30 Million for Clean Energy in Industry California Supports Research on Efficient Server Farms Long Island Faces Power Shortage, Promotes Solar Energy DOE Awards $8.3 Million for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips Report Examines Air Pollution From Top 100 Power Companies *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Ford: Fuel-Cell-Powered Focus Available for Fleets in 2004 Ford Motor Company expects a fuel-cell-powered version of its Ford Focus sedan to be commercially available for use in company fleets by 2004. The Focus FCV combines high- pressure hydrogen gas storage with a Ballard Mark 900 fuel cell to achieve a peak power output of 90 horsepower and a peak torque of 140 foot-pounds. The vehicle has a top speed of greater than 80 miles per hour and a range of 100 miles. See Ford's TH!NK Mobility Web site at: http://www.thinkmobility.com/tech_gallery.asp?PRODCODE=FOCUSFCV. Ford is expected to unveil a prototype of the Focus FCV later this week at the New York International Automobile Show (NYIAS). See the NYIAS Web site at: http://www.autoshowny.com/. Volkswagen is developing its own fuel-cell car based on the European version of the Jetta, called the Bora. Volkswagen's Bora HY.POWER prototype uses a 75-kilowatt motor to achieve the equivalent power output of a 102-horsepower engine. Rather than using batteries, the Volkswagen vehicle draws on two 15-kilowatt ultracapacitors to provide a power boost when accelerating or going uphill. The company announced last month that the prototype successfully passed a mid-winter long-range test drive that included a 6,578-foot mountain pass. See the Volkswagen press release at: http://dealer.vw.com/vwpress/fullStoryA.html?release_id=5504. Hybrid Electric Honda Civic Hits Dealerships This Week American Honda Motor Company announced last week that the new Civic Hybrid is expected to begin arriving at dealerships this week. The manual 5-speed version of the sedan, which combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery pack, has earned a fuel economy rating of 46 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. The vehicle will also be available with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has earned city/highway fuel economy ratings of 48/47 mpg. Honda expects to sell 2,000 Civic Hybrids per month and will make the vehicle available at all of its U.S. dealerships. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Civic Hybrid is $19,550 for the manual transmission and $20,550 for the CVT version. See the Honda press release at: http://www.hondacars.com/news/press.html?y=2002r=802. If you want to find other high-mileage cars that achieve low air emissions, you're in luck: the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released the 2002 version of its Green Book, an environmental guide to cars and trucks, last month. Although the full Green Book is only available for a fee, the highlights are available online for free at: http://www.greenercars.com/bestof.html. Tally of Highly Energy-Efficient U.S. Buildings Reaches 729 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that 729 buildings throughout the United States have earned the EPA/DOE Energy Star. These office and school buildings use about 40 percent less energy than average U.S. buildings. The EPA estimates that the buildings have saved $134 million in energy costs since 1999, avoiding the emission of 1.9 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas. Among the Energy Star buildings are 122 owned and occupied by large commercial institutions, 204 owned by commercial real estate organizations and leased to commercial tenants, 287 public schools and 116 federal government facilities. See the press release and the full list of buildings at the Energy Star News Room on the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/nrgystar/news.html. Energy-efficient homes earned the limelight on Monday, as 15 homebuilders were lauded at the National Green Building Conference in Seattle, Washington. The winners of the EnergyValue Housing Awards were honored for using such technologies as high-efficiency windows, insulated basement walls, solar water heating, and geothermal heat pumps in the homes that they built
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 03/20/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 20, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events California Governor Davis Extends MTBE Phase-Out to 2003 New Biodiesel Plant to Produce 30 Million Gallons Annually Canadian Companies to Produce BioOil from Wood Waste NREL Director: Renewable Energy Enhances Homeland Security Feds to Receive No-Cost Biomass Energy, Efficiency Gains DOE Renewable, Energy Efficiency Office to Reorganize *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Launches Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Program *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- California Governor Davis Extends MTBE Phase-Out to 2003 California Governor Gray Davis dealt a blow to the U.S. ethanol fuels industry last week by extending the deadline for the phase-out of MTBE in the state to the end of 2003. Back in 1999, concerns about groundwater pollution led Governor Davis to order the phase-out of the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive in California by the end of this year. MTBE is an oxygenate, and is used to reduce ozone emissions. California sought a waiver from the oxygenate requirements, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied that waiver in June 2001. Since the only other gasoline oxygenate is ethanol, the MTBE phase-out will create a large market for ethanol in California. Delaying the phase-out will slow some of the rapid growth that the ethanol industry had expected. The governor's decision followed a report released last week that predicted gasoline supply shortages in Southern California if the phase-out proceeded as planned. Ironically, the expected supply problems are due to problems with gasoline supply and imports to the state, rather than ethanol supply concerns. The report, commissioned by the California Energy Commission (CEC), assumes that the ethanol supply is available, but predicts problems because fewer additives and more gasoline would be used in ethanol fuel blends. See the CEC MTBE Web page, which includes links to the Governor's announcement and the report, at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/mtbe/index.html. For its part, the ethanol industry claims it was ready to meet the anticipated demand and is asking California refiners to voluntarily shift from MTBE to ethanol blends. See the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) press release at: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/pr020315.html. The RFA claims are also backed by a recent report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO). That report says that ethanol capacity will be sufficient to meet the nation's needs, but expresses concern that the industry is concentrated in the Midwest and warns that bans of MTBE in other states could lead to capacity problems. See the GAO report, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02440r.pdf. New Biodiesel Plant to Produce 30 Million Gallons Annually Southern States Power Company Inc. announced plans last week to build a biodiesel production factory in Riverside, California, capable of producing 30 million gallons per year of biodiesel fuel. If built as planned, the biodiesel plant will be the largest in the United States. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Lurgi PSI, Inc. to develop the facility. The company currently has a 10-million- gallon-per-year facility in Coachella, California, about 50 miles east of Riverside. See the March 14th press release on the Southern States Power Web site at: http://www.sspowerco.net/newspress.cfm. Biodiesel is also getting a boost in New York, where the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is spending nearly $700,000 this year to advance the use of biodiesel in the state. NYSERDA announced Monday that $320,000 will go to NOCO Energy Corporation in Tonawanda, New York, for the company to blend, market, and sell biodiesel in the Buffalo-Niagara area. A separate award of $62,000 will help the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to fuel 140 of its 330 buses with NOCO's biodiesel for at least a year. NOCO will use biodiesel to fuel its own fleet of trucks and will provide the fuel to the Town of Tonawanda for its municipal truck fleet. NOCO will also evaluate the use of bio-heating fuels in boilers and furnaces. See the NYSERDA press release at: http://www.nyserda.org/press/2002/mar18_02.html. Biodiesel is making inroads throughout the country. The first public biodiesel pump in Missouri opened in early March in Jefferson City, and became the starting point for the journey of a biodiesel-fueled truck to Washington, D.C. See the press releases on the National Biodiesel Board's Web site at: http
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 03/20/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 20, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events California Governor Davis Extends MTBE Phase-Out to 2003 New Biodiesel Plant to Produce 30 Million Gallons Annually Canadian Companies to Produce BioOil from Wood Waste NREL Director: Renewable Energy Enhances Homeland Security Feds to Receive No-Cost Biomass Energy, Efficiency Gains DOE Renewable, Energy Efficiency Office to Reorganize *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Launches Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Program *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- California Governor Davis Extends MTBE Phase-Out to 2003 California Governor Gray Davis dealt a blow to the U.S. ethanol fuels industry last week by extending the deadline for the phase-out of MTBE in the state to the end of 2003. Back in 1999, concerns about groundwater pollution led Governor Davis to order the phase-out of the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive in California by the end of this year. MTBE is an oxygenate, and is used to reduce ozone emissions. California sought a waiver from the oxygenate requirements, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied that waiver in June 2001. Since the only other gasoline oxygenate is ethanol, the MTBE phase-out will create a large market for ethanol in California. Delaying the phase-out will slow some of the rapid growth that the ethanol industry had expected. The governor's decision followed a report released last week that predicted gasoline supply shortages in Southern California if the phase-out proceeded as planned. Ironically, the expected supply problems are due to problems with gasoline supply and imports to the state, rather than ethanol supply concerns. The report, commissioned by the California Energy Commission (CEC), assumes that the ethanol supply is available, but predicts problems because fewer additives and more gasoline would be used in ethanol fuel blends. See the CEC MTBE Web page, which includes links to the Governor's announcement and the report, at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/mtbe/index.html. For its part, the ethanol industry claims it was ready to meet the anticipated demand and is asking California refiners to voluntarily shift from MTBE to ethanol blends. See the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) press release at: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/pr020315.html. The RFA claims are also backed by a recent report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO). That report says that ethanol capacity will be sufficient to meet the nation's needs, but expresses concern that the industry is concentrated in the Midwest and warns that bans of MTBE in other states could lead to capacity problems. See the GAO report, in Adobe PDF format only, at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02440r.pdf. New Biodiesel Plant to Produce 30 Million Gallons Annually Southern States Power Company Inc. announced plans last week to build a biodiesel production factory in Riverside, California, capable of producing 30 million gallons per year of biodiesel fuel. If built as planned, the biodiesel plant will be the largest in the United States. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Lurgi PSI, Inc. to develop the facility. The company currently has a 10-million- gallon-per-year facility in Coachella, California, about 50 miles east of Riverside. See the March 14th press release on the Southern States Power Web site at: http://www.sspowerco.net/newspress.cfm. Biodiesel is also getting a boost in New York, where the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is spending nearly $700,000 this year to advance the use of biodiesel in the state. NYSERDA announced Monday that $320,000 will go to NOCO Energy Corporation in Tonawanda, New York, for the company to blend, market, and sell biodiesel in the Buffalo-Niagara area. A separate award of $62,000 will help the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to fuel 140 of its 330 buses with NOCO's biodiesel for at least a year. NOCO will use biodiesel to fuel its own fleet of trucks and will provide the fuel to the Town of Tonawanda for its municipal truck fleet. NOCO will also evaluate the use of bio-heating fuels in boilers and furnaces. See the NYSERDA press release at: http://www.nyserda.org/press/2002/mar18_02.html. Biodiesel is making inroads throughout the country. The first public biodiesel pump in Missouri opened in early March in Jefferson City, and became the starting point for the journey of a biodiesel-fueled truck to Washington, D.C. See the press releases on the National Biodiesel Board's Web site at: http
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 03/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extended Through 2003 Southern California Seeks 120 Megawatts of Renewable Power Solar Power Systems Installed in Arizona, California New Solar Panels Boost Power to Hubble Space Telescope Nissan to Develop Fuel-Cell Vehicles with UTC Fuel Cells Study: Most New Car Buyers Would Consider Buying Hybrids DOE Awards $31.2 Million for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips Study Links Particulates to Lung Cancer, Heart Disease *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extended Through 2003 Congress last week approved the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act -- commonly known as the economic stimulus bill -- and in the process provided a two-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC). The PTC provides renewable power producers with a tax break of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (in 1992 dollars, adjusted for inflation) and applies to electricity produced from wind power, poultry waste, and biomass power produced from dedicated energy crops. The credit now applies retroactively to installations placed in service since the beginning of this year, and extends through the end of 2003. The PTC is crucial for wind energy development in the United States, and its extension was hailed by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news010308ptc.html. President Bush signed the bill into law on Saturday. See the White House press release at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020309-2.html. Wind energy is currently the world's fastest-growing energy source, with an average growth rate of 30 percent per year for the past five years, according to AWEA. In early April, the organization will be teaming with the European Wind Energy Association and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers' Association to host the 2002 Global Windpower Conference in Paris. See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news010307gce.html. Southern California Seeks 120 Megawatts of Renewable Power The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) announced in late February that it is requesting proposals for 70 to 120 megawatts of electrical power from renewable energy sources. The SCPPA represents 12 municipal utilities and one irrigation district in Southern California. The organization intends to finance and own any new renewable power facilities and sell the power to its member utilities. The deadline for proposals, originally set at March 18th, was extended last week to April 4th. See the press release and request for proposals on the SCPPA Web site at: http://www.scppa.org/homemain.htm. Solar Power Systems Installed in Arizona, California Several large solar electric systems have gone online in recent weeks in Arizona and California. In Arizona, Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) expanded its solar power installation near Springerville to 1.4 megawatts. The utility commissioned the expanded system last week and plans to further expand the solar power system to 2.4 megawatts in 2002. See the TEP press release at: http://www.tucsonelectric.com/News/NewsReleases/2002/GSE020307.htm. TEP started installing the Springerville system last year. As of October 2001, the system had a capacity of 619 kilowatts. See the October 3, 2001, edition of EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/oct03_01.html. In California, two new solar electric systems are more notable for their location and use than for their size. In Berkeley, a Whole Foods Market installed a 33-kilowatt solar electric system on its roof. The system was commissioned last week. The organic supermarket also installed a new advanced direct-current fluorescent lighting system, allowing the photovoltaic panels to power the lighting system with minimal energy losses. Most power systems lose some energy by converting the direct-current power to alternating current. See the Whole Foods Market press release at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_BRKsolar.html. Across the bay, the San Francisco International Airport has installed a 20-kilowatt solar power system as part of the roof of one of its support buildings. The system's thin-film solar cells were laminated to metal roofing materials, so they actually form part of the building's roof. Such building- integrated photovoltaic systems improve the economics of solar power installations by allowing them to serve a dual
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 03/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extended Through 2003 Southern California Seeks 120 Megawatts of Renewable Power Solar Power Systems Installed in Arizona, California New Solar Panels Boost Power to Hubble Space Telescope Nissan to Develop Fuel-Cell Vehicles with UTC Fuel Cells Study: Most New Car Buyers Would Consider Buying Hybrids DOE Awards $31.2 Million for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips Study Links Particulates to Lung Cancer, Heart Disease *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extended Through 2003 Congress last week approved the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act -- commonly known as the economic stimulus bill -- and in the process provided a two-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC). The PTC provides renewable power producers with a tax break of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (in 1992 dollars, adjusted for inflation) and applies to electricity produced from wind power, poultry waste, and biomass power produced from dedicated energy crops. The credit now applies retroactively to installations placed in service since the beginning of this year, and extends through the end of 2003. The PTC is crucial for wind energy development in the United States, and its extension was hailed by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news010308ptc.html. President Bush signed the bill into law on Saturday. See the White House press release at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020309-2.html. Wind energy is currently the world's fastest-growing energy source, with an average growth rate of 30 percent per year for the past five years, according to AWEA. In early April, the organization will be teaming with the European Wind Energy Association and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers' Association to host the 2002 Global Windpower Conference in Paris. See the AWEA press release at: http://www.awea.org/news/news010307gce.html. Southern California Seeks 120 Megawatts of Renewable Power The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) announced in late February that it is requesting proposals for 70 to 120 megawatts of electrical power from renewable energy sources. The SCPPA represents 12 municipal utilities and one irrigation district in Southern California. The organization intends to finance and own any new renewable power facilities and sell the power to its member utilities. The deadline for proposals, originally set at March 18th, was extended last week to April 4th. See the press release and request for proposals on the SCPPA Web site at: http://www.scppa.org/homemain.htm. Solar Power Systems Installed in Arizona, California Several large solar electric systems have gone online in recent weeks in Arizona and California. In Arizona, Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) expanded its solar power installation near Springerville to 1.4 megawatts. The utility commissioned the expanded system last week and plans to further expand the solar power system to 2.4 megawatts in 2002. See the TEP press release at: http://www.tucsonelectric.com/News/NewsReleases/2002/GSE020307.htm. TEP started installing the Springerville system last year. As of October 2001, the system had a capacity of 619 kilowatts. See the October 3, 2001, edition of EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/oct03_01.html. In California, two new solar electric systems are more notable for their location and use than for their size. In Berkeley, a Whole Foods Market installed a 33-kilowatt solar electric system on its roof. The system was commissioned last week. The organic supermarket also installed a new advanced direct-current fluorescent lighting system, allowing the photovoltaic panels to power the lighting system with minimal energy losses. Most power systems lose some energy by converting the direct-current power to alternating current. See the Whole Foods Market press release at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_BRKsolar.html. Across the bay, the San Francisco International Airport has installed a 20-kilowatt solar power system as part of the roof of one of its support buildings. The system's thin-film solar cells were laminated to metal roofing materials, so they actually form part of the building's roof. Such building- integrated photovoltaic systems improve the economics of solar power installations by allowing them to serve a dual
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 03/06/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Nevada Power to Buy Wind Power from DOE's Nevada Test Site Wave Energy Demonstrations Planned for North America New Commercial Building Energy Codes Take Effect in Seattle DOE and States Team Up on Clean Energy Research Report Finds Efficiency, Clean Power Potential in U.S. South California Electricity Report Confirms Energy Savings *Energy Facts and Tips Have Scientists Found A New Version of Cold Fusion? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Nevada Power to Buy Wind Power from DOE's Nevada Test Site Nevada Power Company announced last week that it will buy the power from a new 85-megawatt wind power plant at DOE's Nevada Test Site (NTS). MNS Wind Company LLC, a joint venture of Global Renewable Energy Partners and Siemens Energy and Automation, will build the 60-turbine wind plant. Construction is expected to begin as soon as this summer, and the plant should begin operating in 2003. The wind power agreement will help Nevada Power meet the goals of the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which calls for using renewable energy sources for five percent of the company's energy sales in 2003. See the Nevada Power press release at: http://www.nevadapower.com/news/releases/1014969600.html. The NTS, located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, was used for testing nuclear weapons until 1992. Last year, plans were announced to build a 260-megawatt wind facility on the site, but that facility has yet to materialize. See the January 24, 2001, edition of EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/jan24_01.html. U.S. wind power facilities may someday be dwarfed by an installation on the coast of our northern neighbor: a 700-megawatt offshore wind plant in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Uniterre Resources Ltd. signed an agreement last month with ABB New Ventures GmbH to conduct a feasibility study for such a wind facility. The study will examine building the plant in two phases in Hecate Strait, at the extreme northeast tip of Haida Gwaii in the Queen Charlotte Islands. The agreement was one of 29 business deals signed between Canada and Germany in Berlin. See the February 19th press release by selecting News Releases on Prime Minister Jean Chretien's Web site at: http://pm.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=EPage=newsroom. Wave Energy Demonstrations Planned for North America British Columbia may also be the site of the first wave power facility in North America. BC Hydro, the province's electric utility, announced last week that it will help develop a 3 to 4 megawatt ocean wave energy demonstration project on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro signed a memorandum of understanding with Energetech Australia Pty Ltd. for the project. The Energetech system uses an oscillating water column (OWC) system to produce electricity. OWC systems consist of a large fixed tube that is open to the ocean at the bottom and projects above the ocean surface. Waves cause the water level in the tube, or column, to move up and down. These oscillations push air in and out of the top of the column, past an air-driven turbine that generates electricity. BC Hydro is currently verifying the wave energy resource at a site near Amphitrite Point off Ucluelet. The project is part of a 20-megawatt Vancouver Island Green Energy Demonstration project, which will include 10 megawatts of wind power and 6 to 8 megawatts of micro-hydroelectric power by 2004. See the BC Hydro press release at: http://eww.bchydro.bc.ca/news/2002/feb/feb02-26a.html. To help develop such projects in North and South America, Energetech has established a U.S. subsidiary, Energetech America, which it says will be based in Connecticut. See the Energetech Web site (particularly the What's New section) at: http://www.energetech.com.au/index.html. BC Hydro may have some competition from down south: a wave energy project is also being planned for the northwest coast of Washington State. AquaEnergy Group Ltd. is proposing to build a $2.5 million demonstration plant off Wa'atch Point in Neah Bay. The local utility, Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1 of Clallam County, has agreed to buy 1 megawatt of power from the project. Although the published information on the project is limited, it was discussed in the January 28th meeting of the PUD's Board of Commissioners. See: http://www.clallampud.net/staff-minutes.htm. AquaEnergy's system uses a moored buoy that captures the kinetic energy of the waves. See the AquaEnergy Web
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 03/06/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- March 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Nevada Power to Buy Wind Power from DOE's Nevada Test Site Wave Energy Demonstrations Planned for North America New Commercial Building Energy Codes Take Effect in Seattle DOE and States Team Up on Clean Energy Research Report Finds Efficiency, Clean Power Potential in U.S. South California Electricity Report Confirms Energy Savings *Energy Facts and Tips Have Scientists Found A New Version of Cold Fusion? *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Nevada Power to Buy Wind Power from DOE's Nevada Test Site Nevada Power Company announced last week that it will buy the power from a new 85-megawatt wind power plant at DOE's Nevada Test Site (NTS). MNS Wind Company LLC, a joint venture of Global Renewable Energy Partners and Siemens Energy and Automation, will build the 60-turbine wind plant. Construction is expected to begin as soon as this summer, and the plant should begin operating in 2003. The wind power agreement will help Nevada Power meet the goals of the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which calls for using renewable energy sources for five percent of the company's energy sales in 2003. See the Nevada Power press release at: http://www.nevadapower.com/news/releases/1014969600.html. The NTS, located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, was used for testing nuclear weapons until 1992. Last year, plans were announced to build a 260-megawatt wind facility on the site, but that facility has yet to materialize. See the January 24, 2001, edition of EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/jan24_01.html. U.S. wind power facilities may someday be dwarfed by an installation on the coast of our northern neighbor: a 700-megawatt offshore wind plant in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Uniterre Resources Ltd. signed an agreement last month with ABB New Ventures GmbH to conduct a feasibility study for such a wind facility. The study will examine building the plant in two phases in Hecate Strait, at the extreme northeast tip of Haida Gwaii in the Queen Charlotte Islands. The agreement was one of 29 business deals signed between Canada and Germany in Berlin. See the February 19th press release by selecting News Releases on Prime Minister Jean Chretien's Web site at: http://pm.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=EPage=newsroom. Wave Energy Demonstrations Planned for North America British Columbia may also be the site of the first wave power facility in North America. BC Hydro, the province's electric utility, announced last week that it will help develop a 3 to 4 megawatt ocean wave energy demonstration project on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro signed a memorandum of understanding with Energetech Australia Pty Ltd. for the project. The Energetech system uses an oscillating water column (OWC) system to produce electricity. OWC systems consist of a large fixed tube that is open to the ocean at the bottom and projects above the ocean surface. Waves cause the water level in the tube, or column, to move up and down. These oscillations push air in and out of the top of the column, past an air-driven turbine that generates electricity. BC Hydro is currently verifying the wave energy resource at a site near Amphitrite Point off Ucluelet. The project is part of a 20-megawatt Vancouver Island Green Energy Demonstration project, which will include 10 megawatts of wind power and 6 to 8 megawatts of micro-hydroelectric power by 2004. See the BC Hydro press release at: http://eww.bchydro.bc.ca/news/2002/feb/feb02-26a.html. To help develop such projects in North and South America, Energetech has established a U.S. subsidiary, Energetech America, which it says will be based in Connecticut. See the Energetech Web site (particularly the What's New section) at: http://www.energetech.com.au/index.html. BC Hydro may have some competition from down south: a wave energy project is also being planned for the northwest coast of Washington State. AquaEnergy Group Ltd. is proposing to build a $2.5 million demonstration plant off Wa'atch Point in Neah Bay. The local utility, Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1 of Clallam County, has agreed to buy 1 megawatt of power from the project. Although the published information on the project is limited, it was discussed in the January 28th meeting of the PUD's Board of Commissioners. See: http://www.clallampud.net/staff-minutes.htm. AquaEnergy's system uses a moored buoy that captures the kinetic energy of the waves. See the AquaEnergy Web
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 02/27/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 27, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events General Electric Buys Enron Wind, Buoys U.S. Wind Industry NREL Updates Top-Ten List of Utility Green Power Programs Study: Economy Can Grow While Carbon Emissions Are Cut Army Corps Releases Final Report on Snake River Dams IBM Introduces New Energy-Saving Web Server Microbes Found to Convert Organic Matter Into Electricity *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Releases Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gases *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- General Electric Buys Enron Wind, Buoys U.S. Wind Industry GE Power Systems -- a General Electric company -- nnounced last week that it plans to buy Enron Wind from its parent company, the bankrupt Enron Corporation. GE Power Systems will take ownership of the Enron's wind turbine manufacturing and marketing operations, but not the wind facilities owned or operated by Enron. The news was a relief to the U.S. wind energy industry, which feared that one of the largest U.S. wind turbine manufacturers -- the seventh largest in the world -- would be sold to a company overseas. If approved by bankruptcy court, the deal should be finalized in April. See the press releases from Enron and General Electric on the Enron Wind Web site at: http://www.enronwind.com/newsroom/pressrel/index.html. Meanwhile, the progress on U.S. wind power installations has slowed dramatically this year. One of the few recent wind power additions was a single 900-kilowatt wind turbine installed near Valley City, North Dakota, by Minnkota Power Cooperative. Power from the turbine will be sold through the utility's green power program. Commissioned in late January, the turbine holds the honor of being the first utility- scale wind turbine in North Dakota. See the Minnkota press release at: http://www.minnkota.com/infinity1.htm. Despite the slowdown, larger wind power installations are still being planned and pursued by several companies. Endless Energy Corporation, for instance, has announced plans to install a 7-turbine wind facility near Manchester, Vermont, and a 29-turbine facility near Stratton, Maine. Combined, the two facilities could generate enough electricity to power 35,000 New England homes. The company hopes to install the Vermont facility this summer. See the Endless Energy Web site at: http://www.endlessenergy.com/. NREL Updates Top-Ten List of Utility Green Power Programs DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) updated this month its popular top-ten lists of utility programs that sell green power, which is electricity from renewable energy sources. NREL ranks the most effective of these utility programs -- sometimes called green pricing programs -- based on customer participation, new renewable energy installed capacity, and cost premiums. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ranked first for total number of customers: its Green Power for a Green L.A. program has 87,000 participants, although about half of those are low-income customers who are signed up at no cost. In terms of percentages, Moorhead Public Service of Minnesota comes in first with 7.0 percent of its customers signed up. For new renewable power capacity, Austin Energy of Texas takes first place with 76.9 megawatts of wind and solar power installed. And there's a three-way tie for the lowest premium, with two California utilities -- Roseville Electric and Sacramento Municipal Utility District -- and the Texas-New Mexico Power Company each charging customers just a penny extra per kilowatt-hour for green power. See the top-ten lists on the EREN Green Power Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/topten.shtml. Green power experts believe these numbers will get even better: at a green power conference last week, experts predicted that utilities would achieve 10 percent participation rates in green pricing programs within the next five years. Xenergy Inc. organized the conference in cooperation with the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). See the February 21st press release by selecting For the Press on the Xenergy Web site at: http://ragtime.xenergy.com/XENHome.nsf/HTMLDocs/1_About. CRS, by the way, is offering an accreditation program for utility green pricing programs. Three programs -- Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Power Switch, Wisconsin Electric's Energy for Tomorrow, and Madison Gas and Electric's MGE Wind Power -- have already been accredited. See the CRS Web site at: http://www.resource-solutions.org/CRSprograms/greenpricing.html. Study: Economy Can Grow
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 02/27/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 27, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events General Electric Buys Enron Wind, Buoys U.S. Wind Industry NREL Updates Top-Ten List of Utility Green Power Programs Study: Economy Can Grow While Carbon Emissions Are Cut Army Corps Releases Final Report on Snake River Dams IBM Introduces New Energy-Saving Web Server Microbes Found to Convert Organic Matter Into Electricity *Energy Facts and Tips EPA Releases Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gases *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- General Electric Buys Enron Wind, Buoys U.S. Wind Industry GE Power Systems -- a General Electric company -- nnounced last week that it plans to buy Enron Wind from its parent company, the bankrupt Enron Corporation. GE Power Systems will take ownership of the Enron's wind turbine manufacturing and marketing operations, but not the wind facilities owned or operated by Enron. The news was a relief to the U.S. wind energy industry, which feared that one of the largest U.S. wind turbine manufacturers -- the seventh largest in the world -- would be sold to a company overseas. If approved by bankruptcy court, the deal should be finalized in April. See the press releases from Enron and General Electric on the Enron Wind Web site at: http://www.enronwind.com/newsroom/pressrel/index.html. Meanwhile, the progress on U.S. wind power installations has slowed dramatically this year. One of the few recent wind power additions was a single 900-kilowatt wind turbine installed near Valley City, North Dakota, by Minnkota Power Cooperative. Power from the turbine will be sold through the utility's green power program. Commissioned in late January, the turbine holds the honor of being the first utility- scale wind turbine in North Dakota. See the Minnkota press release at: http://www.minnkota.com/infinity1.htm. Despite the slowdown, larger wind power installations are still being planned and pursued by several companies. Endless Energy Corporation, for instance, has announced plans to install a 7-turbine wind facility near Manchester, Vermont, and a 29-turbine facility near Stratton, Maine. Combined, the two facilities could generate enough electricity to power 35,000 New England homes. The company hopes to install the Vermont facility this summer. See the Endless Energy Web site at: http://www.endlessenergy.com/. NREL Updates Top-Ten List of Utility Green Power Programs DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) updated this month its popular top-ten lists of utility programs that sell green power, which is electricity from renewable energy sources. NREL ranks the most effective of these utility programs -- sometimes called green pricing programs -- based on customer participation, new renewable energy installed capacity, and cost premiums. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ranked first for total number of customers: its Green Power for a Green L.A. program has 87,000 participants, although about half of those are low-income customers who are signed up at no cost. In terms of percentages, Moorhead Public Service of Minnesota comes in first with 7.0 percent of its customers signed up. For new renewable power capacity, Austin Energy of Texas takes first place with 76.9 megawatts of wind and solar power installed. And there's a three-way tie for the lowest premium, with two California utilities -- Roseville Electric and Sacramento Municipal Utility District -- and the Texas-New Mexico Power Company each charging customers just a penny extra per kilowatt-hour for green power. See the top-ten lists on the EREN Green Power Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/topten.shtml. Green power experts believe these numbers will get even better: at a green power conference last week, experts predicted that utilities would achieve 10 percent participation rates in green pricing programs within the next five years. Xenergy Inc. organized the conference in cooperation with the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). See the February 21st press release by selecting For the Press on the Xenergy Web site at: http://ragtime.xenergy.com/XENHome.nsf/HTMLDocs/1_About. CRS, by the way, is offering an accreditation program for utility green pricing programs. Three programs -- Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Power Switch, Wisconsin Electric's Energy for Tomorrow, and Madison Gas and Electric's MGE Wind Power -- have already been accredited. See the CRS Web site at: http://www.resource-solutions.org/CRSprograms/greenpricing.html. Study: Economy Can Grow
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 02/20/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 20, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events President Bush Unveils U.S. Global Warming Initiative California Power Authority Issues Resource Investment Plan Distributed Generation Powers Much of the Winter Olympics California Sets Tough Air-Conditioner Efficiency Standard Soy-Based Biodiesel Firm Earns $7.5 Million Subsidy DOE Awards Florida $3.5 Million for Energy Efficiency *Energy Facts and Tips NRC Orders Nuclear Plants to Tighten Security *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- President Bush Unveils U.S. Global Warming Initiative President Bush unveiled a new U.S. initiative for addressing global climate change last week. Rather than focusing on the absolute amount of greenhouse gases emitted each year, the Bush administration's plan emphasizes greenhouse gas intensity, that is, the amount of greenhouse gases produced per dollar of gross domestic product (GDP). The initiative sets a goal of reducing the U.S. greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent in the next ten years -- from 183 metric tons of emissions per million dollars of GDP to 151 metric tons of emissions per million dollars of GDP. The initiative relies on a combination of voluntary emissions reductions, advances in energy technologies, and tax credits for renewable energy installations, energy efficient vehicles, and other energy technologies. President Bush also announced a new initiative for cutting power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. The Clean Skies initiative proposes a system of tradable emissions credits that will lead to lower emissions, similar to the system already in place for sulfur dioxide emissions. If enacted into legislation, the initiative will mark the first time that power plant emissions of mercury have been regulated. See the Global Climate Change Policy Book, with links to the President's speech and the Clean Skies documents, on the White House Web site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/climatechange.html. DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted last week that voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are making headway. Companies that are currently reporting on their voluntary greenhouse gas reductions achieved 269 million metric tons of equivalent carbon dioxide reductions in 2000. The 222 companies participating in the voluntary program implemented 1,882 projects to achieve those reductions, which equaled nearly 4 percent of the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2000. See the EIA press release at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/press/press189.html. EIA included such advances in its Annual Energy Outlook 2002, released last November. Based on past trends toward a more energy-efficient economy, the outlook projected that the carbon intensity of the economy -- essentially equivalent to the greenhouse gas intensity -- would decline at an average annual rate of 1.5 percent per year through 2020. That projection would result in a 14 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2012. But with the anticipated growth in the U.S. economy, the projection shows actual greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion increasing to about 1.9 billion metric tons -- about 40 percent above 1990 levels. See the EIA press release at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/press/press185.html. California Power Authority Issues Resource Investment Plan California's Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority released its energy resource investment plan last week. Based on a number of gaps in the state's electricity supply -- including inadequate reserves of electrical capacity, an inadequate diversity of fuels to provide the state's power, and a lack of power choices for the state's consumers -- the power authority proposes a cost-effective energy resource investment strategy based on an aggressive investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. The power authority proposes to provide 3,500 megawatts of reserve electrical capacity by 2006 through investments in energy efficiency, electrical load management, clean forms of distributed generation, and renewable energy. By issuing bonds for up to $5 billion, the authority plans to finance a variety of projects, including 1,275 megawatts of new generating capacity powered by renewable energy. The power authority's investment plan was approved by its board last Thursday and sent on to the California legislature. See the power authority's Web site, with a link to the full plan, at: http://www.capowerauthority.ca.gov
[biofuels-biz] EREN Network News -- 02/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Massachusetts Moves Ahead on Renewable Energy Requirement DOE Releases Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Schools U.S. Ethanol Fuel Industry Sets Production Record in 2001 Environmental Assessment: GM Falls Short on Fuel Efficiency DOE Awards $6 Million to Missouri for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips EIA: Expect a Rise in Gasoline Costs, Drop in Heating Costs *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Massachusetts Moves Ahead on Renewable Energy Requirement The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) released last week its final renewable energy portfolio regulation, which sets a minimum requirement for generating electricity from new renewable energy sources. The regulation requires all retail electricity providers in the state to draw on new renewable energy sources for at least one percent of their power supply in 2003, increasing to four percent by 2009. The state mandated the renewable energy regulation in its Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act, enacted in 1997. The DOER regulation allows the use of solar, wind, and ocean energy, as well as landfill methane gas, anaerobic digester gas, and low-emission biomass power (but not from municipal waste), to meet the requirement. In general, only facilities that started commercial operation in 1998 or later will qualify. Biomass can also be co-fired with other fuels for partial credit if the facility meets certain criteria. Electricity providers that fall short of the requirements can opt to pay 5 cents per kilowatt-hour to the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation (MTPC), which administers the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. The MTPC, in turn, will use the funds to maximize the commercial development of new renewable generation facilities in the state. See the DOER press release, with a link to the full regulation, at: http://www.state.ma.us/doer/pub_info/nr020207.htm. The State of New York is also pressing ahead with plans to encourage renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency. The state's draft energy plan, now being reviewed in public hearings, includes plans to solicit long-term contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources, examine the feasibility of a requirement similar to Massachusetts' new regulation, help create a biofuels industry in the state, and encourage the use of distributed generation and combined heat and power technologies. The plan also proposes a statewide energy efficiency standard, voluntary energy- efficiency agreements with businesses, efforts to encourage alternative modes of transportation, and programs to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The plan specifically suggests a coordinated effort to include energy efficiency and other green building principles in rebuilding efforts in New York City. See the draft energy plan on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/sep.html. DOE Releases Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Schools DOE released last week the first of seven volumes of design guidelines for energy-efficient schools, providing the detailed information needed for schools to save millions of dollars in energy costs. U.S. schools for kindergarten through the twelfth grade spend a total of about $6 billion on energy each year, a quarter of which could be saved through energy efficiency. In addition, a number of recent studies show that students learn better in comfortable classrooms that make use of natural sunlight. The new design guidelines cover a wide range of technologies for schools in hot and dry climates, and also include numerous case studies. The remaining six volumes will cover the other U.S. climate zones and will be released by this summer. DOE aims to help school districts achieve energy savings as they renovate old schools or build new ones -- U.S. school districts are expected to spend $79 billion on such projects over the next three years. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/febpr/pr02021.htm. The design guidelines are a product of EnergySmart Schools, a part of DOE's Rebuild America Program. See the EnergySmart Schools Web site, including a link to the new design guidelines, on EREN at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/energysmartschools/. U.S. Ethanol Fuel Industry Sets Production Record in 2001 The U.S. ethanol fuel industry achieved a record production of 1.77 billion gallons in 2001. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 02/13/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 13, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Massachusetts Moves Ahead on Renewable Energy Requirement DOE Releases Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Schools U.S. Ethanol Fuel Industry Sets Production Record in 2001 Environmental Assessment: GM Falls Short on Fuel Efficiency DOE Awards $6 Million to Missouri for Home Weatherization *Energy Facts and Tips EIA: Expect a Rise in Gasoline Costs, Drop in Heating Costs *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Massachusetts Moves Ahead on Renewable Energy Requirement The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) released last week its final renewable energy portfolio regulation, which sets a minimum requirement for generating electricity from new renewable energy sources. The regulation requires all retail electricity providers in the state to draw on new renewable energy sources for at least one percent of their power supply in 2003, increasing to four percent by 2009. The state mandated the renewable energy regulation in its Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act, enacted in 1997. The DOER regulation allows the use of solar, wind, and ocean energy, as well as landfill methane gas, anaerobic digester gas, and low-emission biomass power (but not from municipal waste), to meet the requirement. In general, only facilities that started commercial operation in 1998 or later will qualify. Biomass can also be co-fired with other fuels for partial credit if the facility meets certain criteria. Electricity providers that fall short of the requirements can opt to pay 5 cents per kilowatt-hour to the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation (MTPC), which administers the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. The MTPC, in turn, will use the funds to maximize the commercial development of new renewable generation facilities in the state. See the DOER press release, with a link to the full regulation, at: http://www.state.ma.us/doer/pub_info/nr020207.htm. The State of New York is also pressing ahead with plans to encourage renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency. The state's draft energy plan, now being reviewed in public hearings, includes plans to solicit long-term contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources, examine the feasibility of a requirement similar to Massachusetts' new regulation, help create a biofuels industry in the state, and encourage the use of distributed generation and combined heat and power technologies. The plan also proposes a statewide energy efficiency standard, voluntary energy- efficiency agreements with businesses, efforts to encourage alternative modes of transportation, and programs to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The plan specifically suggests a coordinated effort to include energy efficiency and other green building principles in rebuilding efforts in New York City. See the draft energy plan on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Web site at: http://www.nyserda.org/sep.html. DOE Releases Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Schools DOE released last week the first of seven volumes of design guidelines for energy-efficient schools, providing the detailed information needed for schools to save millions of dollars in energy costs. U.S. schools for kindergarten through the twelfth grade spend a total of about $6 billion on energy each year, a quarter of which could be saved through energy efficiency. In addition, a number of recent studies show that students learn better in comfortable classrooms that make use of natural sunlight. The new design guidelines cover a wide range of technologies for schools in hot and dry climates, and also include numerous case studies. The remaining six volumes will cover the other U.S. climate zones and will be released by this summer. DOE aims to help school districts achieve energy savings as they renovate old schools or build new ones -- U.S. school districts are expected to spend $79 billion on such projects over the next three years. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/febpr/pr02021.htm. The design guidelines are a product of EnergySmart Schools, a part of DOE's Rebuild America Program. See the EnergySmart Schools Web site, including a link to the new design guidelines, on EREN at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/energysmartschools/. U.S. Ethanol Fuel Industry Sets Production Record in 2001 The U.S. ethanol fuel industry achieved a record production of 1.77 billion gallons in 2001. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 02/06/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- February 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events President's Budget Supports Efficiency, Renewable Energy Budget Includes Tax Incentives for Renewables, CHP, Hybrids Alliant Energy Seeks Renewable Power Sources for Iowa DOE Awards More Than $500,000 for Metal Casting Research Explosion at FuelCell Energy Plant Delays Shipments New Energy Corporation Retracts Claim of Solar Contract *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Issues U.S. Renewable Energy Maps *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- President's Budget Supports Efficiency, Renewable Energy President Bush released his administration's proposed $2.13 trillion federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2003 on Monday. Although the budget emphasis is on the war on terrorism and U.S. homeland security, the budget maintains funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, while providing new tax incentives to encourage the use of these technologies (see second story below). See the full budget on the White House Web site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2003/. The proposed overall budget for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which funds this newsletter and the EREN Web site, remains nearly steady, increasing about 0.8 percent above FY 2002 funding levels. Funding for renewable energy programs increases 5.5 percent in the budget, with significant funding boosts for hydrogen, hydropower, and solar building technology research and development, as well as for programs that encourage renewable energy use on Indian reservations and internationally. However, the research budget for concentrating solar power technologies suffers a cut of 86 percent. Overall funding for energy efficiency programs decreases by about 1.3 percent. The largest change is a budget increase of 25 percent for the Federal Energy Management Program, which helps the federal government reduce its energy use. EERE estimates that the combined energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, which cost about $1.3 billion per year, will save the country between $76 billion and $125 billion in energy costs by 2020. See EERE's Budget-in-Brief on the EREN Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/budget/budget_summary03.html. See also the Renewable Energy Resources and Energy Conservation sections under the Detailed Budget Justifications heading of DOE's budget request, posted at: http://www.mbe.doe.gov/budget/03budget/index.htm. In his announcement of the DOE budget, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham specifically noted that the proposed budget will support the President's commitment to double funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program over the next 10 years, and will provide roughly $150 million for FreedomCAR, which aims to develop the infrastructure and technologies needed for hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles. See the DOE press release at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/febpr/pr02016.htm. The administration's proposed budget is only the first step in the budget process. Both the House and Senate will now start working on a series of bills to set a budget and appropriate funds. For FY 2002, for instance, the President's budget originally proposed cutting funding for EERE, but as shown in the budget documents cited above, funding for FY 2002 ended up higher than the previous year's funding. See the news about last year's proposed budget in the April 11, 2001, edition of the EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/apr11_01.html. Budget Includes Tax Incentives for Renewables, CHP, Hybrids The President's budget for fiscal year 2002 includes $9.1 billion in tax incentives over 10 years to encourage the use of renewable energy, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and energy-efficient vehicles. For power producers, the budget includes a new 10-percent investment tax credit for qualifying CHP systems, an extension of the tax credit for landfill methane power plants, an extension of the production tax credit (PTC) through 2005, and an expansion of the PTC to include more biomass energy facilities. The PTC provides renewable power producers with a tax break of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (in 1992 dollars, adjusted for inflation) and was formerly applicable only to electricity produced from wind power, poultry waste, and biomass power produced from dedicated energy crops. The PTC expired in December, leading to a slowdown in the wind energy business. For example, Vestas Wind Systems A/S shifted 1,200 employees to half-time work
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/30/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 30, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Interior Department Budget to Boost Geothermal Energy Large Wind Power Plant Under Evaluation for Nantucket Sound Acquisitions a Growing Trend in Solar and Wind Power Hawaii Resort Dedicates 250-Kilowatt Solar Power System New Zero-Emission Vehicle Rules On Hold in California DOE Awards $8 Million for Weatherization in Texas, Oklahoma *Energy Facts and Tips 2001 Ranked as Second Warmest Year on Record *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Interior Department Budget to Boost Geothermal Energy Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced in mid- January that the Interior Department's proposed budget for next year will include funds to encourage geothermal energy development on public lands. The President's budget proposal for fiscal year 2003 will include $350,000 for the Bureau of Land Management to improve access for geothermal energy leasing in California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and New Mexico. The budget will also include $500,000 for the U.S. Geological Survey to produce improved and updated information on geothermal resources. See the Department of Interior press release at: http://www.doi.gov/news/020118a.html. Secretary Norton's announcement came as a follow-up to the National Conference on Opportunities to Expand Renewable Energy on Public Lands, co-hosted by DOE and the Interior Department in November of last year. See the December 5th edition of the EREN Network News at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/archives/2001/dec05_01.html. Further details of President Bush's budget proposal were anticipated in last night's State of the Union Address, but the text of the speech was not available at press time. The President is also expected to release his full budget proposal next week. Watch for further news of the President's budget in future editions of the EREN Network News. Large Wind Power Plant Under Evaluation for Nantucket Sound Cape Wind Associates, LLC is currently proposing to build a 420-megawatt wind power plant in the waters offshore of Massachusetts. If built, the facility will be the first offshore wind facility in the United States and the largest U.S. wind power plant yet. The company plans to erect 170 turbines in a part of Nantucket Sound called Horseshoe Shoal. A submarine cable system consisting of two power lines, each 115 kilovolts, will transmit the power from the facility to the shore at Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on Monday that it will require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the facility, which will be built on state and federal waters stretching across about 28 square miles of the sound. The site is closest to land at Point Gammond, which is 4.1 miles away. The Corps will work closely with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which is also performing an environmental review. On March 6th and 7th, the Corps will hold public meetings to help determine the range of issues the EIS should address and to identify significant issues that should be analyzed in depth. See the press release on the Corps' New England District Web site at: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/news/2002-16.html. Cape Wind expects to begin construction on the facility in 2004 and complete it by 2005. See the Cape Wind Web site at: http://www.capewind.org/learning/pglan02.htm. The Web site also includes a map of the site with overlays of shipping channels, ferry routes, and airplane flight lanes, as well as a link to computer-simulated views of the site from the shore, at: http://www.capewind.org/benefiting/sitev02.htm. Pennsylvania also hopes to increase its wind power capacity: the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a permit for a new 60-megawatt wind facility in Wayne County last week. National Wind Power and Orion Energy LLC are developing the project, which will consist of 47 turbines on two parcels of land covering 858 acres. See the DEP press release at: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=1468. Acquisitions a Growing Trend in Solar and Wind Power While wind power developers are at work in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, acquisitions appear to be growing in popularity as a way to obtain wind power capacity. For example, Entergy Corporation, a global energy company, announced in mid-month its purchase of a majority ownership in the newly completed Top of Iowa Wind Farm, an 80-megawatt facility in northern Iowa. See the Entergy press release at: http://www.entergy.com
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/23/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 23, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events California Cut Electricity Use by 6.7 Percent in 2001 Spire Solar Chicago Installs 100 Kilowatts of Solar Power DOT Proposes No Change in Light Truck Efficiency Standards Real-World Test of Superconductor Cable Delayed Report Questions Government Support for Renewable Energy *Energy Facts and Tips Report Claims Utilities are Struggling to Power Data Centers *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- California Cut Electricity Use by 6.7 Percent in 2001 The final numbers for California's electricity use in 2001 are in, and they're impressive: compared to 2000, the state reduced its total electricity use by 6.7 percent and its peak electricity demand by 8.9 percent, or nearly 3,800 megawatts. Those numbers are adjusted for economic growth and differences in weather, but the cold, raw numbers still show a 4.4 percent drop in electricity use and a 5.4 percent drop in peak demand. Governor Gray Davis lauded Californians for their achievement. See the statistics, with a link to a January 17th press release from Governor Davis, at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/electricity/peak_demand_reduction.html. The Pacific Northwest can be proud, too, according to DOE's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA): the region reduced its electricity demand by roughly 85 megawatts, or enough to power more than 80,000 homes, in 2001. See the BPA press release at: http://www.bpa.gov/Corporate/KCC/nr/02nr/nr011702.shtml. Spire Solar Chicago Installs 100 Kilowatts of Solar Power Spire Solar Chicago, a business unit of Spire Corporation, announced last week the installation of a total of 100 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic systems on six roofs in Chicago. The systems were installed on the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Homan Square Community Center, Commonwealth Edison's South Hydome facility, two Chicago public schools, and a small commercial building. The installations are part of a local public/private partnership to produce clean energy in Chicago. See the Spire press release at: http://www.spirecorp.com/Spire/news/PV369.html. DOT Proposes No Change in Light Truck Efficiency Standards The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), released last week its proposed fuel efficiency standards for Model Year 2004 light trucks. The proposed standard holds the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standard for light trucks at its current level of 20.7 miles per gallon. The light truck classification includes vans, pickup trucks, and most sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Since 1996, Congress has prohibited NHTSA from spending any funds to consider changes to the CAFE standards. Although that prohibition was lifted in December, the NHTSA claims it has not had sufficient time to consider changes to the standard. The NHTSA must issue its proposed rules early enough to allow public comment and changes prior to a final rulemaking, which must be issued by April 1st. The public is invited to provide comments on the proposed fuel efficiency standard before mid-February. See the January 18th press release on the NHTSA Web site at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/index.cfm. On January 14th, four days before the proposed standards were released, the National Research Council (NRC) sent NHTSA a report confirming the NRC's conclusions on CAFE standards, originally released in a detailed report published in July 2001. The reassessment was performed after the initial report was challenged by the automotive industry. The latest report reaffirms that technologies exist that, if applied to passenger cars and light-duty trucks, would significantly reduce fuel consumption within 15 years, and that assessment of currently offered product technologies suggest that light-duty trucks, including SUVs, pickups, and minivans, offer the greatest potential to reduce fuel consumption... See the new report on the National Academy Press Web site at: http://books.nap.edu/books/NI000377/html/R1.html. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the overall fuel economy of light vehicles -- including both light trucks and cars -- is now at a 21-year low of 20.4 miles per gallon. Although car mileage has remained essentially flat for the past 16 years and light truck mileage has stayed largely unchanged for the past 20 years, the growing market share of light trucks has dragged down the overall fuel economy of light vehicles. See the EPA Light Duty
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 01/16/02
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 16, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events FreedomCAR Program to Advance Fuel-Cell Vehicles Ford Shows Hybrid Escape SUV at Detroit Auto Show Wind Capacity Surges Ahead in the U.S. and the World Wind Turbine Installed on Novel Tower Without Large Crane North Carolina Utilities to Pursue Green Power New York Power Authority Buys Eight 200-Kilowatt Fuel Cells *Energy Facts and Tips U.S. Energy Companies Expanded Oil, Gas Reserves in 2000 *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- FreedomCAR Program to Advance Fuel-Cell Vehicles DOE announced last week a new government-industry program for the advancement of high-efficiency cars: freedomCAR. The new program will focus on fuel cells and hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. DOE will carry out the freedomCAR program in partnership with the U.S. Council of Automotive Research -- a cooperative research organization formed by Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and DaimlerChrysler Corporation. In fact, the CAR in freedomCAR stands for Cooperative Automotive Research. FreedomCAR replaces the Clinton-era Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), which aimed to produce an affordable sedan that achieves 80 miles per gallon by 2004. In contrast, the long-term goal for freedomCAR is to develop technologies for hydrogen- powered fuel cell vehicles that will require no foreign oil and emit no harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases. An interesting aspect of freedomCAR is its emphasis on developing a hydrogen supply infrastructure: many automotive companies are currently developing cars that would be fueled with low-sulfur gasoline, methanol, or natural gas fuels, which would be converted to hydrogen using onboard fuel processors. FreedomCAR looks farther ahead to an energy economy that is built around hydrogen as the energy carrier. See the DOE press release, with a link to a fact sheet, at: http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/janpr/pr02001.htm. So how do you produce hydrogen? Today, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. It can also be produced by passing a current through two electrodes immersed in water, but that technique tends to be expensive. Researchers are now examining ways to make hydrogen from organic materials, to generate it from organic processes, or to produce it directly from sunlight and water. Some catalysts help sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, but researchers are also using modified solar cells immersed in water, called photoelectrodes. For more information, see the Hydrogen Information Network on EREN at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen/. For those more technically inclined, the proceedings of the 2001 DOE Hydrogen Program Review are posted on the Hydrogen Information Network at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen/docs/30535toc.html. Ford Shows Hybrid Escape SUV at Detroit Auto Show Ford Motor Company is displaying the hybrid electric version of its Escape sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the North American International Auto Show, now underway in Detroit. Ford confirmed that the vehicle will be available in 2003, and announced that its emissions will be low enough to qualify as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) under California law. The vehicle is expected to achieve nearly 40 miles to the gallon. See the Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle Web site at: http://www.hybridford.com/index.asp. While domestic auto companies continue to prepare their hybrid-electric vehicles for production, U.S. sales of the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight continue to grow. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. announced that it sold 15,556 Priuses in the United States in 2001, up from 5,562 in 2000 (U.S. sales of the Prius began in mid-2000). American Honda announced Insight sales of 4,726 in 2001, up from 3,788 in 2000. See the Toyota press release, Toyota Sets Sales Record for Sixth Year in a Row, on the Toyota Pressroom Web site at: http://pressroom.toyota.com/. See the American Honda press release at: http://www.hondacars.com/news/press.html?y=2002r=770. The Honda Civic Hybrid, unveiled in Japan last month, had its U.S. debut in Los Angeles early this month. Honda claims the Civic Hybrid will achieve about 50 miles per gallon and will cost about $20,000. Honda expects to sell 2,000 vehicles per month when it goes on sale in the United States in April. See the American Honda press release at: http://www.hondacars.com/news/press.html?y=2002r=774. Wind Capacity Surges Ahead in the U.S. and the World U.S. wind power
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/19/01
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 19, 2001 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Kansas Adds Large Wind Plant, Plans Announced for Montana Bonneville Power Administration Doubles Its Wind Purchase Electric Vehicles to be Sold in California, Rented in Atlanta Honda Unveils the Hybrid Civic in Japan DOE Awards $26 Million for Industrial Energy-Efficiency Survey Finds Consumers are Looking for Energy Efficiency LED Lights Brighten Oregon, Montana Christmas Trees *Site News High-Performance Photovoltaic Project *Energy Facts and Tips DOE: Don't Worry About Natural Gas Prices and Supplies *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Editor's Note: The EREN Network News will be taking the next two weeks off for the holidays. We'll return with a New Year's bundle of news on January 9th. Until then, we wish all our readers a joyous, peaceful, and energy-efficient holiday season. Kansas Adds Large Wind Plant, Plans Announced for Montana Kansas became a major wind power producer late last month with the completion of a 110-megawatt wind power facility near Montezuma. FPL Energy dedicated its Gray County Wind Farm on Monday in a ceremony attended by Kansas Governor Bill Graves. The wind plant -- the first major wind facility in Kansas -- will produce enough electricity each year to power 33,000 homes. UtiliCorp United will buy the entire output from the wind plant and provide it to UtiliCorp's customers in Kansas and Missouri. See the FPL Energy press release at: http://www.fplenergy.com/newsreleases/2001/01162.html. Montana will also join the major leagues of wind power within the next two years, thanks to an agreement announced early this month by Montana Power Company. The utility will buy a total of 150 megawatts of wind power from Montana Wind Harness, a wind plant developer. The wind power capacity will be spread among at least three sites in the state, with construction beginning next year and finishing by 2003. Montana Power will buy the wind power for the next 20 years at a cost of less than 3.2 cents per kilowatt-hour. Montana Wind Harness has engaged Nordex USA -- the U.S. subsidiary of Nordex AG, a major European wind turbine company -- to build the project. One of the conditions of the contract, and contingent upon Nordex AG Board approval, calls for the wind turbine manufacturer to build an assembly plant in the state that will initially create 35 to 50 new full time jobs and an operations and maintenance center that will create an additional 10 to 15 new jobs. See the Montana Power press release at: http://www.mtpower.com/news/2001_pr/12-04-2001.htm. Texas is also expecting a new addition to its wind portfolio this month with the completion of the Llano Estacano Wind Ranch near White Deer. Xcel Energy is purchasing the power from the 80-megawatt facility for the next 15 years. See the Xcel Energy press release at: http://www.xcelenergy.com/NewsRelease/newsRelease112601.asp. On a much smaller scale, Mackinaw City, Michigan, also joined the ranks of wind energy producers recently. Two wind turbines -- producing enough power each year for 700 homes -- were dedicated early this month. The turbines are owned by Bay Windpower and the power will be sold through Consumers Energy's green power program. See the Mackinaw City Web site at: http://www.mackinawcity.org/. Bonneville Power Administration Doubles Its Wind Purchase DOE's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) announced last week that it is doubling its purchase of electricity from wind power through a new agreement with PacifiCorp Power Marketing Inc. BPA will buy 34 percent of the output from the Stateline Wind Project, located along the Oregon-Washington border and now nearing completion. BPA's purchase can provide enough wind energy to power about 18,000 homes. See the BPA press release at: http://www.bpa.gov/Corporate/KCC/nr/01nr/nr121401.shtml. Electric Vehicles to be Sold in California, Rented in Atlanta Toyota Motor Corporation will begin selling its all-electric RAV4-EV to retail customers in California starting in February 2000, the company announced last week. In 1997, Toyota began making the RAV4-EV available nationally through a special fleet lease program to major corporations and utilities, but this is the first opportunity for people to buy the car. Toyota is making the car available to meet the Zero Emissions Vehicle requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Orders will be accepted online for the RAV4-EV, which features a 50-kilowatt motor
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/12/01
= EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 12, 2001 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events State of Pennsylvania Makes Large Green Power Purchase Iowa Project Tests Switchgrass for Power Production Seed Corn Production Plant Tests Waste Seed as Heat Source DOE Selects Companies to Test Ultra-Low Sulfur Fuels NC State University to Develop Molecular-Based Solar Cells Eleven Large Geothermal Projects Planned for New York California PUC Opens Efficiency Programs to Non-Utilities *Site News DOE's Office of Distributed Energy Resources *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Publishes State Electricity, Energy Cost Facts *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- State of Pennsylvania Makes Large Green Power Purchase Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker announced last week that Pennsylvania will buy enough electricity from renewable energy sources to meet 5 percent of the state government's power needs for the next two years. The state awarded a contract to Community Energy Inc. for the purchase of 100 million kilowatt-hours of green power from the start of 2002 through the end of 2003. Twenty percent of this green power purchase will be supplied by the new Exelon-Community Energy wind facilities in Fayette and Somerset counties (thereby using 5 percent of the output from those facilities), and the remainder will be generated from hydroelectric sources, landfill gas power plants, and solar power. See the governor's press release at: http://papress.state.pa.us/ctc/data/20011205.001.htm. Iowa Project Tests Switchgrass for Power Production John Deere announced last week its support of a groundbreaking project in central Iowa to generate electricity from switchgrass. Switchgrass is a common prairie grass grown on marginal farmland throughout many parts of North America. Its high energy output per acre of harvested crop makes it an attractive crop for energy production. The Chariton Valley Biomass Project involves more than 80 farmers managing 7,000 acres of switchgrass. The project is managed by Chariton Valley Resource Conservation Development, Inc., a non-profit corporation helping southern Iowa farmers. John Deere provided equipment to harvest and bale the switchgrass, and the company provided expertise on when to harvest and how to store the crop. Iowa State University is testing the impact of harvests on the environment, including water runoff, wildlife, and soil stress. Alliant Energy is testing small portions of the switchgrass at its coal-fired Ottumwa Generating Station in Chillicothe, Iowa, which is co-owned with MidAmerican Energy. If the project reaches its goal, five percent of the fuel burned at the generating station will be switchgrass, eventually adding up to 200,000 tons burned annually at the site. A final report on the project is expected next year from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. See the John Deere press release at: http://www.deere.com/deerecom/_newsroom/grass.htm. John Deere also provided some support for the biodiesel industry last week when the company announced that the use of soy-based biodiesel is approved for all of its diesel- powered products. However, the company cautions against possible fuel degradation and water absorption if the fuel is stored improperly. To demonstrate further support for the use of farm-based products, the company is exploring soy- based resins to replace sheet metal on its products, and expects to use corn- and soybean-based plastic panels on its combines built in 2002. See the John Deere press release at: http://www.deere.com/deerecom/_newsroom/ecofriendbio.htm. Seed Corn Production Plant Tests Waste Seed as Heat Source Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. has a waste problem at its Toledo, Iowa, seed corn production plant: unsold seed that is returned and cannot be resold. But Pioneer is turning that problem into an opportunity, as it is now investigating high- temperature gasification to convert the waste corn into a gas that can be burned as a heat source. Pioneer hopes to eventually reduce its use of natural gas -- it uses a lot of it to dry seed corn each fall -- and also hopes the process may be used on farms. The company is working on the project with Iowa State University and Carbon Energy Technology, Inc. See the December 5th press release on the Pioneer Web site at: http://www.pioneer.com/media/releases.htm. DOE Selects Companies to Test Ultra-Low Sulfur Fuels DOE announced yesterday its award of $10.7 million to four firms for research and testing of ultra-low sulfur fuels
[biofuel] EREN Network News -- 12/05/01
Gecko/20011019 Netscape6/6.2 X-Accept-Language: en-us MIME-Version: 1.0 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: EREN Network News -- 12/05/01 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] = EREN NETWORK NEWS -- December 5, 2001 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/ = Featuring: *News and Events Interior, DOE Examine Renewable Energy on Public Lands Green Mountain Energy to Supply Green Power to Oregon Green Certificates: An Alternative Way to Buy Green Power Boeing Investigates Fuel Cell Power for Airplanes GM Announces Ethanol-Fuel Capability for Full-Size Pickups Segway Unveils the Scooter-Like Human Transporter Conoco Starts Up a 420-Megawatt Cogeneration Plant *Energy Facts and Tips October 2001 was the Warmest on Record Globally *About this Newsletter -- NEWS AND EVENTS -- Interior, DOE Examine Renewable Energy on Public Lands U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and DOE co-sponsored a conference last week that examined ways to increase the production of renewable energy on U.S. public lands. Secretary Norton and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham will present recommendations to the President and Vice President based on the conference. Secretary Norton noted that the President's National Energy Policy specifically directs her to reduce delays in geothermal lease processing. Our shared mission is both simple and noble, said Norton to the conference attendees. We must explore ways to better capture the sun's light, the sky's winds, the land's bounty, and the earth's heat to provide energy security for America's families. David Garman, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, attended the meeting, as did representatives from the President's Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Senator Byron Dorgan, who co-chairs the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, and Congressmen Zach Wamp and Mark Udall, co-chairs of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, also attended. Panels on renewable energy technologies were chaired by leaders in the fields of geothermal, wind, solar, biomass and hydropower energy. See the press release and Secretary Norton's speech on the U.S. Department of Interior Web site at: http://www.doi.gov/news/energy/. Panelists from the renewable energy industry made several recommendations at the conference. For example, the National Hydropower Association (NHA) called for reform of the hydropower licensing process and financial incentives for new hydropower development. See the NHA press release at: http://www.hydro.org/newsroom/default.asp. Green Mountain Energy to Supply Green Power to Oregon Oregon's two largest electric utilities have selected Green Mountain Energy Company (GMEC) to provide a green power option to their customers. Pacific Power and Portland General Electric announced Monday that, pending the signing of final contracts, GMEC will start offering green power options in March 2002. This will include an option for customers to receive all their electricity from renewable energy sources. Oregon's new electric restructuring law requires that utilities provide access to such green power options. GMEC has been active on several fronts lately. In mid- November, the company started switching thousands of customers over from the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company in Ohio. The company also dedicated a new 30-kilowatt solar electric system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. See the GMEC press releases at: http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/greenm. If you are able to buy green power in your area, and you happen to be buying one of the 27 Green-e certified green power products sold in four states, we have good news: you're getting more than you paid for. In 2000, for the third year in a row, green power companies delivered more renewable power to the electric grid than they had promised -- a total of 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable power. See the news, with links to the full Green-e report and press release, on the EREN Green Power Web site at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/greeneMM_1101.shtml. Green Certificates: An Alternative Way to Buy Green Power Are you unable to buy green power from your utility? You might consider buying so-called green tags or green certificates, which typically allow you to pay the extra cost of producing
