Greg Routley says Calgary is a great city to own a solar air heater.
Solar industry warns against two price system Microfit Program in Ont, Canada
July 07, 2010
Rob O'Flanagan roflanagan@guelphmercury.com
GUELPH — Solar energy insiders say the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is being misleading and irresponsible in its proposal to
change a popular program that encourages homeowners, farmers, small businesses and institutions to install small-scale solar systems
that generate electricity for Ontario’s power grid.
Reducing the price that certain solar power producers receive could have disastrous consequences for the industry,
solar company officials said Wednesday. Jobs could be lost and progress in solar generation stalled.
The OPA has received over 16,000 applications for the microFIT (feed-in tariff) Program, which pays small-scale producers of solar energy
a fixed amount for each kilowatt hour of power produced and fed back into the provincial power grid.
That amount is currently 80.2 cents per kWh for both ground-mounted and rooftop systems. A review of the program’s tariff rates was
scheduled for August, 2011.
But in a recent communiqué, OPA has proposed a significant reduction in the rate ground-mounted solar systems receive — from the 80.2 cent rate to 58.8 cents.
OPA admits that the “large majority” of applications to the microFIT program are for ground-mounted projects.
Brad Duguid, Ontario's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, defended the proposed price change Wednesday. He said the goal of the program is to
increase the supply of renewable energy, and to provide program participants a fair rate of return over a 20 year period.
Because it is less expensive to install, ground-mount solar, he said, provides a high rate of return on investment, somewhere in the 25 to 30 per cent range.
“Which means that ratepayers, which is almost all Ontarians, are going to be paying an exorbitant rate of return for ground-mount solar,” Duguid said in an interview.
“So it has to be adjusted to put it in line with other forms of renewable energy projects.”
Duguid said it would be unfair to ask ratepayers to pay the higher rate. A 10 to 11 per cent rate of return for proponents is fair, he added.
But solar industry insiders see the issue differently.
“They decided that they don’t want to pay for ground-mount systems,” said Tom Church, controller for Green & Clean Energy Co. Ltd., which has offices in Guelph.
Church said pole-mounted solar tracking systems, which are classified as ground-mounted, are more efficient than stationary rooftop systems, and can potentially
produce more electricity.
“Which means they (OPA) has to pay more money,” Church said. “They have decided that they don’t want people to be able to get that sort of return.”
Green & Clean Energy currently has ten pole-mounted systems ready to be installed for microFIT participants.
Farmers have been particularly interested in the ground-mounted tracking systems, and have invested upwards of $100,000 in systems they see not only as
generators of electricity, but of income. If the price for ground-mounted solar electricity is cut, many who planned to make those investments will change their minds,
Church predicted.
Those who already have contracts with OPA will receive the original price of 80.2 cents, according to OPA. At 80.2 cents, Church said, investments can be recouped
within about eight years, but at 58.8 cents it would take 12 years.
In its communiqué, OPA said the rate change “will help ensure the program remains sustainable and electricity ratepayers — Ontario families — receive good value for new,
clean, reliable renewable energy.”
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals said her constituency office has received a number of inquiries about the proposed rate changes. Sandals said microFIT has been surprisingly well
received, so much so that OPA has not had the capacity to process all the applications.
“The demand has been overwhelming,” she said, adding that setting the right price has been challenging for OPA.
“The public policy conundrum is, how do you price an exciting new form of electricity generation at a price that is high enough to continue to maintain that enthusiasm for
people to get into microFIT solar installation, while at the same time balancing off the interests of the consumer, who want to have electricity at a reasonable price,” Sandals said.
John Verway, president of Copperhill Solar, said the ground-mounted component of the microFIT program has proven very successful, based on the large number of
applications. The rooftop component, he said, is not as successful as the OPA would like.
“It’s a misguided effort to create more success in the roof-mounted,” Verway said, speaking of the proposal to change the pay structure.
“What they’ve done is, they’ve made the rates unreasonable for the ground-mounts to try to force people to go to the roof-mount, not recognizing that a lot of these people
are going to walk away from the program, because they had no interest in rooftops to begin with,” Verway said, adding that OPA has not publicly stated why there is a push toward rooftop systems.
Verway said his company could lose up to 50 jobs if the price reduction is brought in, because it will put a chill on the installation of solar systems. Church said one salesperson
from Green & Clean Energy had over 60 microFIT projects on the go. Most of those clients will cancel if the rates are changed, he said.
Both Verway and Church said ground-mounted systems are not necessarily less expensive to install than rooftop systems. OPA is saying the ground-mounted systems are considerably
less expensive and the new price category will better reflect the lower installation costs.
Having a much lower price for ground-mounted systems is unfair, said Church, and is not a true reflection of the actual difference in costs between ground and rooftop systems.
Duguid said the price change won’t dampen enthusiasm for solar energy.
“We are very confident that Ontario will continue to be a global leader when it comes to building, development and manufacturing of solar opportunities here in this province,
” he said, adding that microFIT will continue. “Certainly we expect that there will be more ground-mount solar built in Ontario, and we expect there will be more rooftop built as well.
We don’t anticipate there being any real impact in terms of the overall amount of renewable energy built under the Green Energy Act as a result of this decision.”
June 30,2010 Winnipeg Sun Reports
The provincial government is offering subsidies of up to $35,000 to homeowners who want to add a secondary suite — often referred to as a “granny suite” — to their home.
Housing Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced a program Tuesday that will offer a total of $1.4 million in subsidies to encourage people to build a new, self-sufficient suite within or attached to their house or in their yard. The program does not apply to upgrades to existing suites because it is meant to increase the current housing stock.
“We know that we have a low vacancy rate,” Irvin-Ross said. “The idea is to make sure there are affordable housing options for individuals.”
Homeowners who apply for the program will have the option of either renting out the new suites or allowing people such as relatives to live in them for free, Irvin-Ross said. Those who do rent them out must ensure they qualify as “affordable housing” by keeping the rent below a threshold known as the median market rent, which the government tracks for different areas.
Irvin-Ross said there will be expectations beyond that, including requirements the new suite must comply with zoning and building code regulations and have all the necessary permits. There will be follow-up inspections and those who break the terms of the agreement will have to pay back all or part of the money.
The program offers a forgivable loan worth 50% of the value of the work, up to $35,000 (for a $70,000 reno).
Jino Distasio, director of the University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies, praised the program as an “innovative” way of addressing a low vacancy rate, increasing density in established neighbourhoods, and getting landlords to comply with building regulations.
There are many existing secondary suites in Winnipeg that have been illegally built, Distasio said.
paul.turenne@sunmedia.ca
Great for using this grant to add solar hot water heating or Solar panels to the Granny suite!
Oct 27, 2009 08:00 ET
Enphase Energy Expands Commercial Market With New Product
New D380 "TwinPack" Microinverter Offers Twice the Power at Half the Labor
PETALUMA, CA--(Marketwire - October 27, 2009) - Enphase Energy, the leader in solar microinverter systems, today announced the D380 "TwinPack," a new product optimized for commercial installations. The D380 "TwinPack" is comprised of two Enphase Microinverters in a single enclosure and an innovative cabling system, further reducing Balance-of-System costs and installation time.
"This new model is a direct result of the experience we've gained from tens of thousands of units in the field, and the input of our strong community of customers," said Raghu Belur, vice president of marketing, Enphase Energy. "The D380 will help us reinforce our competitive advantage and strengthen our position in the commercial market by providing all the proven benefits of the Enphase Microinverter at twice the power and half the labor."
The D380 maintains the benefits of the award-winning per-module Enphase Microinverter while reducing installation costs through the two-in-one design. Balance-of-System costs and reduced installation time are realized via a 50 percent reduction in the number of microinverter units, 33 percent fewer connections and junction boxes. The D380 further reduces installation time by introducing an innovative cabling system.
"The Enphase Microinverter has made significant inroads into the solar market, particularly in the residential space," said Mike Hall, chief executive officer, Borrego Solar. "With faster payback and simplified installation, this new product from Enphase is certain to expand their reach into the commercial sector."
The Enphase Microinverter System is the first and only commercially available microinverter system for residential and commercial solar PV applications. Enphase Microinverter Systems convert the DC output of a single solar module into grid-compliant AC power. Enphase systems offer a number of advantages over traditional central inverters, including a five- to 25-percent increase in energy harvest, increased system reliability and a simpler -- and safer -- installation. Enphase products also remove design constraints because modules can now be installed in any combination of type, age and location. In addition, a proprietary communication technology, Enlighten, is embedded into each microinverter enabling continuous, remote, per-module monitoring to maximize energy production.
The D380 is currently undergoing field testing, with general availability scheduled for Q1 2010. Please come to the Enphase booth (#1727) at Solar Power International to see the D380 and hear about other exciting new initiatives in development. These include the AC Module and a new focus on safety.
About Enphase
Enphase Energy provides solar energy management systems for residential and commercial markets. The company offers a system that includes high-efficiency microinverters, communications and web-based monitoring and analysis. The systems increase energy harvest, improve system reliability, and simplify design, installation and management. Founded in 2006 and based in Northern California, the company is led by veterans from the solar and high tech industries and backed by industry leaders. For more information about Enphase, please visit www.enphaseenergy.com.
RM Of Morris Tries Turbines
Friday June 26, 2009
The RM of Morris has unveiled an installation of 3 roof-mounted, vertical-axis wind turbines on its municipal service garage in Rosenort. Reeve Herm Martens says the wind energy will generate enough energy to power the building’s geothermal heat exhange pumps. Alex Stuart, President of Global Wind Group, says the three vertical axis wind turbines are bird safe, silent and energy efficient. The RM of Morris received a conservation grant of $25,000.00 to help cover the $50,000.00 dollar cost of installation. Reeve Herm Martens says the wind energy is a good addition to the already green, geo-thermal building.
Is The Sky The Limit For Wind Power? High-flying Kites Could Light Up New York
ScienceDaily (June 16, 2009) — In the future, will wind power tapped by high-flying kites light up New York? A new study by scientists at the Carnegie Institution and California State University identifies New York as a prime location for exploiting high-altitude winds, which globally contain enough energy to meet world demand 100 times over. The researchers found that the regions best suited for harvesting this energy match with population centers in the eastern U.S. and East Asia, but fluctuating wind strength still presents a challenge for exploiting this energy source on a large scale.
Using 28 years of data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction and the Department of Energy, Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology and Cristina Archer of California State University, Chico, compiled the first-ever global survey of wind energy available at high altitudes in the atmosphere. The researchers assessed potential for wind power in terms of "wind power density," which takes into account both wind speed and air density at different altitudes.
"There is a huge amount of energy available in high altitude winds," said coauthor Ken Caldeira. "These winds blow much more strongly and steadily than near-surface winds, but you need to go get up miles to get a big advantage. Ideally, you would like to be up near the jet streams, around 30,000 feet."
Jet streams are meandering belts of fast winds at altitudes between 20 and 50,000 feet that shift seasonally, but otherwise are persistent features in the atmosphere. Jet stream winds are generally steadier and 10 times faster than winds near the ground, making them a potentially vast and dependable source of energy. Several technological schemes have been proposed to harvest this energy, including tethered, kite-like wind turbines that would be lofted to the altitude of the jet streams. Up to 40 megawatts of electricity could be generated by current designs and transmitted to the ground via the tether.
"We found the highest wind power densities over Japan and eastern China, the eastern coast of the United States, southern Australia, and north-eastern Africa," said lead author Archer. "The median values in these areas are greater than 10 kilowatts per square meter. This is unthinkable near the ground, where even the best locations have usually less than one kilowatt per square meter."
Included in the analysis were assessments of high altitude wind energy for the world's five largest cities: Tokyo, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, and Mexico City. "For cities that are affected by polar jet streams such as Tokyo, Seoul, and New York, the high-altitude resource is phenomenal," said Archer. "New York, which has the highest average high-altitude wind power density of any U.S. city, has an average wind power density of up to 16 kilowatts per square meter."
Tokyo and Seoul also have high wind power density because they are both affected by the East Asian jet stream. Mexico City and Sao Paulo are located at tropical latitudes, so they are rarely affected by the polar jet streams and just occasionally by the weaker sub-tropical jets. As a result they have lower wind power densities than the other three cities.
"While there is enough power in these high altitude winds to power all of modern civilization, at any specific location there are still times when the winds do not blow," said Caldeira. Even over the best areas, the wind can be expected to fail about five percent of the time. "This means that you either need back-up power, massive amounts of energy storage, or a continental or even global scale electricity grid to assure power availability. So, while high-altitude wind may ultimately prove to be a major energy source, it requires substantial infrastructure."
Home renovations are smart investments in the long term value of a home and also create economic activity by increasing the demand for labour, building materials and other goods. Renovations can also reduce energy consumption and the long-term cost of owning a home.
To provide some $3 billion of much-needed fiscal stimulus and encourage investments in Canada’s housing stock, Budget 2009 proposes to implement a temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC).
Temporary, Timely and Targeted Stimulus
The HRTC will apply to eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered into after January 27, 2009. The temporary nature of the credit will provide an immediate incentive for Canadians to undertake new renovations or accelerate planned projects.
The HRTC can be claimed for renovations and enduring alterations to a dwelling, or the land on which it sits.
How the HRTC Will Work
The 15-per-cent credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, meaning that the maximum tax credit that can be received is $1,350.
The credit can be claimed on eligible expenditures incurred on one or more of an individual’s eligible dwellings. Properties eligible for the HRTC include houses, cottages and condominium units that are owned for personal use.
Renovation costs for projects such as finishing a basement or re-modelling a kitchen will be eligible for the credit, along with associated expenses such as building permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.
Routine repairs and maintenance will not qualify for the credit. Nor will the cost of purchasing furniture, appliances, audio-visual electronics or construction equipment.
Who Can Claim the HRTC?
About 4.6 million families in Canada are expected to benefit from the credit.
Taxpayers can claim the HRTC when filing their 2009 tax return.
Eligibility for the HRTC will be family-based. For the purpose of the credit, a family is generally considered to consist of an individual, and where applicable, the individual’s spouse or common-law partner.
Family members will be able to share the credit.
Examples of HRTC Eligible and Ineligible Expenditures
Eligible
Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
New carpet or hardwood floors
Building an addition, deck, fence or retaining wall
A new furnace or water heater
Painting the interior or exterior of a house
Resurfacing a driveway
Laying new sod
Ineligible
Furniture and appliances (refrigerator, stove, couch)
Purchase of tools
Carpet cleaning
Maintenance contracts (furnace cleaning, snow removal, lawn care, pool cleaning, etc.)
Examples of the Benefits of the Home Renovation Tax Credit
The following examples illustrate how homeowners can benefit from the HRTC
Sally and Ed are a couple who have recently purchased a house. In response to the temporary HRTC, they decide to replace their old windows and improve the insulation in their home in 2009, instead of waiting, incurring $10,000 in expenditures. After taking into account the $1,000 minimum threshold, a 15-per-cent credit will be available on $9,000 in eligible expenditures, providing tax relief of $1,350.
William and Marie are a couple who are planning to purchase a more energy-efficient furnace for their home, and build a deck at their cottage sometime later. To take full advantage of the temporary HRTC, they decide to do both projects in 2009 rather than waiting. They pay $5,000 for the furnace and $3,500 for the deck. They also decide to have the area around the deck landscaped for $2,500, bringing their total costs to $11,000 ($5,000 + $3,500 + $2,500). Marie claims a credit of $1,350 on the maximum allowable amount of $9,000.
Karen and Heather are sisters who share ownership of a condominium unit. They each incur $7,500 in expenditures renovating the kitchen in the condo. Karen and Heather each claim a $975 credit on eligible expenditures of $6,500 ($7,500 - $1,000).
How Can I Get More Information?
Additional information on the Home Renovation Tax Credit will soon be available on Canada Revenue Agency’s website at (www.cra-arc.gc.ca).
Copies of this brochure are available from the Department of Finance or Service Canada:
Department of Finance Canada
Distribution Centre
Room P-135, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: 613-995-2855
Fax: 613-996-0518
Service Canada
1-800 O-Canada ( 1-800-622-6232 ) 1-800-926-9105 (TTY)
We are experiencing the effects of economic recession remotely or directly. Our political leaders are trying to assuage the situation on several levels. United States House and Senate members reached an agreement last week on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. President Obama is about to sign economic stimulus package. President Obama has already anticipated the future of solar energy and other renewable energy sources. He has clearly emphasized this by stating, “the country that figures out how to make cheaper energy that’s also clean, is going to win the economic competition of the future.”
The final version of the stimulus bill is a total of US$787 billion. After the Great Depression this package is the government’s most expensive economic rescue package, even after the cuts. The House and Senate both voted to pass this final version of the bill.
The final version of the stimulus package has thrilled many alternative energy enthusiasts. A tenth of the $787 billion will be allotted to environmental endeavors. This package is supposed to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The bill makes a provision of $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects. Its main focus is on solar energy. Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch’s response is quite positive. He states, “The solar provisions in the bill will allow us to begin hiring, create growth opportunities for small businesses throughout the country and keep the economic engine going.” Alternative energy representatives have estimated that this step of government might lead to 67,000 job creations in the solar energy sector this year and a total of 119,000 jobs over the next two years.
The package has also paid attention to manufacturing processes and equipments. The package has also crafted a new 30% tax credit for equipment and facilities that produce renewable energy-generating materials, such as solar panels. This step also extracted an enthusiastic response from the President and CEO of Applied Materials, Inc. Mike Splinter. He is of the view that “this bill does a lot for solar energy, and will create thousands of ‘green’ jobs just when we need them the most.” He reaffirms again, “The manufacturing credit is a huge step forward to put Americans to work making solar panels so we all can benefit from clean, affordable, renewable energy.”
Another benefit of the new rollout is that through a grant program, taxpayers will be able to redeem solar investment tax credits that are unusable because they do not have a sufficient tax liability to offset. Additionally, the tax penalty for subsidized energy financing will be repealed.
The stimulus bill also pays attention to a number of other energy funding measures. It has allotted US$11 billion for the development of “smart grid” project. This project will undertake the much needed effort to bring forth new technologies so that solar panels can be efficient and cost-effective. Another plan has US$6.3 billion for energy efficiency and conservation grants, and another fund of US$2.5 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research.
Manitoba Agriculture News
Canada’s largest wind farm slated for development in southern Manitoba
01/10/2009
Manitoba’s green economy received a major boost with Manitoba Hydro Board’s acceptance of an RFP proposal from St. Joseph Wind Farm Inc., owned by Babcock & Brown Canada ULC, to develop a 300 megawatt wind farm, the largest in Canada, at St. Joseph near Letellier in southern Manitoba, Premier Gary Doer and Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Bob Brennan announced recently.
They said the St. Joseph proposal was the best received in response to Manitoba Hydro’s request for proposals in 2007 and brings the province one step closer to achieving its goal of developing 1,000 MW of wind power. Manitoba Hydro received over 84 proposals throughout the tender process.
The project is subject to regulatory approvals and execution of a power purchase agreement with construction expected to start in 2009 and power deliveries starting as early as 2011. The exact schedule will depend upon the availability of materials and equipment for the wind turbines and related transmission facilities.
“This new wind farm underlines Manitoba’s position as a leader in clean energy and will bring economic and environmental benefits to the local municipalities, Manitoba and the region,” said Doer. “The St. Joseph wind farm represents another important step in diversifying Manitoba’s energy resources.”
“The St. Joseph wind farm will add another renewable resource to Manitoba’s considerable portfolio of renewable hydroelectric generating facilities. We supply 97 per cent of Manitoba’s electricity from renewable sources,” said Brennan.
The project is worth over $800 million and will generate electricity from 130 turbines. It will result in $300 million in operational expenditures, $70 million in local landholder payments and $198 million in provincial and municipal revenues over the life of the project. Environmental benefits include displacing 800,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the equivalent of taking 145,000 cars off the road.
Manitoba Hydro will purchase wind-generated power as part of a proposed 25-year agreement with Babcock & Brown’s North American Energy Group which has interests in more than 20 wind farms across North America with an aggregate value in excess of $3 billion. The group has worked closely on this project with local residents and Calgary-based wind developer BowArk Energy.
“Babcock & Brown is pleased to have reached this stage of the wind procurement process and we thank Manitoba Hydro for selecting the St. Joseph wind project,” said Hunter Armistead, head of Babcock & Brown’s North American Energy Group. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with local communities, Manitoba Hydro and the Province of Manitoba.”
Manitoba’s first wind farm, located near St. Leon and 99 megawatts in size, became fully operational in June 2006. It also provides electricity to Manitoba Hydro under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.
Boosting Solar Cell Power
December 29th, 2008
Scientists are continuously improving the existing solar cells. Now they are taking the help of computer simulations and real lab testing. A group of physicists and engineers at MIT have discovered new methods to make the existing solar cells more efficient by 50%. Currently the most efficient solar cell gives 45% output and is extremely expensive to produce. Cells produced by using this new technology will be more efficient and cost effective. Their cost effectiveness emerges from just 1% use of refined silicon. It should be noted that refined silicon is quite costly.
Cost Benefits:
Scientists want to bring clean and green energy on par with energy produced by fossil fuels. One of the biggest hurdles they face is cost. Most of the green energy is quite expensive and they have a longer break-even time. So here the MIT team has reduced the amount of extremely thin layer of silicon used in the solar cell. They are using hundreds of times less material.
Choosing Different but Simple Path:
The MIT team has paid close attention to the limiting factors of the solar cells. One of the greatest disadvantages in the existing solar cells is that whatever amount of light is falling on the solar cell has got very little time to be converted into energy. So this MIT team has concentrated its efforts on making the sunlight stay inside the cell for a longer duration of time therefore these cell can produce more energy. Peter Bermel, a postdoctoral researcher in MIT’s physics department and his team took the help of computer simulations and applied various advanced chip-manufacturing techniques.
They went for the anti-reflection coating to the front of the cell and a multi-layered reflective coating to the back of the silicon films which were ultra thin. In the end, the team settled for the best result in a multi-layered reflective coating coupled to a tightly spaced array of lines. This technique armed the cells like a laser around the cell, where light can bounce back and forth before finally exiting. This way the light stays longer inside the cell and can produce more energy. Current solar cells don’t have these coatings so the light is just reflected back to the surrounding air in the atmosphere.
“It’s critical to ensure that any light that enters the layer travels through a long path in the silicon,” Bermel said. “The issue is how far does light have to travel [in the silicon] before there’s a high probability of being absorbed” and knocking loose electrons to produce an electric current.
Trying out various combinations by computer simulations
When you have to try out various combinations and don’t know which combination will yield that magical results, its best to try out computer simulations. They will give out the excellent and almost correct results and save the time and material costs. The MIT team ran thousands of simulations with each one designed to try a slightly different approach toward keeping photons within the cell for longer. Using computer simulations they will be able to find the magical combination of multi-layered reflective coating coupled to a tightly spaced array of lines. This approach enhances the energy output of the cells by as much as 50%.
Examining the Correct combination in Laboratory
When this research team thought that they have found the right combination in the computer simulation they verified the results in the laboratory. These tests were carried out by the graduate student Lirong Zeng, in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. According to Lionel Kimerling, who directed the project, “The experiments confirmed the predictions, and the results have drawn considerable industry interest.”
This project has caught the attention of like-minded people. Stephen Saylor, CEO of SiOnyx in Beverly, MA says, “This work demonstrates the importance of improving the performance of thin-film technologies. “SiOnyx is engaged in increasing the absorption of red and infrared light in thin silicon devices.
Bermel says that his team is already thinking of other production methods. One sound option is nanoimprint lithography, but they haven’t tried it yet. “A 35 percent efficiency increase is clearly predicted in simulations,” he opines, “but the challenge is, ‘Can you make it practically?’ That’s what we’re working on.”
World’s Most Ambitious Solar Plan in LA
December 19th, 2008
The city of Los Angles is taking up the world’s most ambitious solar power project. Till date this project will be the largest solar power plan started by any city in the world. They are planning to install 1.3 Giga Watts (GW) of solar power and register their city’s name in the book of green economy. The plan was announced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Council member Jan Perry and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This program is known as Solar LA. They aim to replace the fossil fuels during peak energy requirement and the program lays out a far-reaching and long-lasting course of action for a network of residential, commercial and municipally-owned solar systems to replace fossil fuels during peak energy demand.
The Solar LA plan covers three primary components: first one is the programs to boost residential and commercial customer solar systems; second one will be the LADWP-owned solar projects in Los Angeles; and the third one will be the large-scale solar projects owned by the LADWP outside of the LA basin.
They are taking other steps too. For example, LADWP will utilize $313 million in state funds for solar projects. Using this fund, it will expand its rebate programs by encouraging customers to install solar panels for their power needs. LADWP will provide free systems to a limited number of customers belonging to the low-income group. LADWP will also encourage residential customers to opt for low-interest loans for the installation of solar systems till now available to commercial customers. This project will incorporate a new feed-in-tariff (FiT). Using this FiT, Solar developers can sell power to LAWDP by engaging in a long-term contract.
Mayor Villaraigosa is of the view that it’s time to use the most abundant natural source to generate electricity and jobs for the future. He wants people to view LA as the shining example of green growth worldwide. Investment in green power will create new openings in the area of research and development, manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair. A release from the mayor’s office stated that every 10 MW of solar energy would generate 200 to 400 jobs. Los Angles would be giving the necessary push to “cleantech” economy by generating varied types of jobs.
“Solar LA serves as more than a blueprint to a greener LADWP,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “By sparking a broad movement to solar energy across a city of 4 million residents, we are priming the pump for Los Angeles to become a world leader in the solar industry and delivering on the vision of re-making Los Angeles into the cleanest, greenest big city in America.”
If this plan is completed by 2020 then LA will generate a tenth of Los Angeles’ power through solar energy by 2020. LADWP will put in 400 MW of roof-top solar systems on city-owned properties by 2014. It will also obtain 500 MW of utility-scale solar power from projects developed under agreement by third-party solar developers.
“L.A. has everything it takes to make this [solar plan] work,” said Villaraigosa, standing alongside environmentalists, union leaders and City Council members. “We have the sun in abundance. We have the space. We have the largest municipal utility in the country.”
Cars of Tomorrow With Energy-Saving Technology
November 12th, 2008
Automobiles companies are on the lookout to manufacture tomorrow’s car. They want to minimize the disadvantages of the today’s hybrid cars and capitalize on its positive features. Mechanical and electrical engineers at DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and BMW are jointly making an effort in this direction. They want to roll out a tomorrow’s car equipped with technology that shuts off the internal combustion engine on its own when the vehicle is not moving. This car will work well within the city where traffic is characterized by stop and start again. But you can safely drive this car on highways too where you can speed up and enjoy a smooth ride. This car will be 100-percent electric. “It takes the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water, and at the same time produce electricity,” says Doanh Tran, an advanced vehicle engineer with DaimlerChrysler’s Fuel Cell Vehicles & Technologies. The exhaust pipe of the car will emit water vapor.
Many people want to go green but the costs of hybrid cars are exorbitant. A new Edmonds.com study shows that with the cost of gas — combined with tax credits — it takes about three years to break even. But this tomorrow’s car will lessen that break-even period. The engineers are also considering replacing the platinum in fuel cells with less expensive material in hydrogen cars.”The hybrid system that we’re developing, we can apply to any vehicle that we have,” Glenn Denomme, a chief engineer of Hybrid Powertrain Programs at DaimlerChrysler in Auburn Hills, Michigan, tells DBIS. It allows for increased performance compared to a conventional SUV and improves fuel economy by up to 25 percent. Denomme says, “You can still haul your cargo, but you can still be environmentally sound too.”
The engineers at DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and BMW are taking into account today’s lifestyle and its demands. They know that a smooth ride is impossible if one is going to office. One has to drive the vehicle in stop-and-go mode. This stop and pick up situation consumes most of the fuel. So their eyes are set on tomorrow’s hybrid that will yield better fuel economy, not only in the city, but on the highway too. When the new hybrid is stopped at the traffic signals or in the jam, the advanced system shuts the internal combustion engine off, conserving fuel. When the car is on the move again, electric power is used to conserve fuel, adding power from the engine as needed. If you want to drive at faster pace, power from both the engine and electric motors are directed to the wheels for greater acceleration. Think about having the best of both worlds!
Thermoelectric Materials Can Increase Energy Efficiency
October 22nd, 2008
It seems humans are facing the biggest challenge of the century i.e. to solve energy crisis. We are running the risk of exhausting fossil fuel reserves. Scientists all over the world are working hard to solve this problem. Researchers at the University of Arhus, Riso-DTU and the University of Copenhagen are banking heavily on properties of thermoelectric materials, which is of great importance for their practical application. This material turns heat into electricity more efficiently than anything available today.
Thermoelectric materials can be used for the development of new cooling methods. This improvement can arrest the use of greenhouse gas (R-134a). The researchers are optimistic about thermoelectric materials in the group of clathrates, which create crystals full of ‘nano-cages’. Thermal conductivity of the nano-cages can be reduced if a heavy atom is placed inside those cages.
Thermoelectric materials can be used to build up vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and for more environmentally friendly. Thermoelectric materials have some unique properties; these materials can be assembled into units, which can convert the thermal difference into electrical energy or vice versa - electrical current to cooling. For efficient use, the material should supply a high voltage and have good electrical conductivity. But the thermal conductivity of the material should be low. This low thermal conductivity is very important because it will lessen the “electrical” wear and tear of a device. Car manufacturers are finding the thermoelectric materials very attractive for the conversion of wasted heat into electrical energy.
Overall the majority of the heat from vehicles is wasted. Using thermoelectric materials we can turn the wasted heat of various devices such as a car’s exhaust pipe or a power station, into useful power. This material transforms heat into electricity by using the difference in temperature across the different sides of a device. If we attach a thermoelectric device into a car’s exhaust pipe, it can produce electricity which can be used for driving the car or charging a battery.
Bailout Bill Benefits Wind and Solar Power Companies
By Sarah Lai StirlandOctober 03, 2008 | 4:58:10 PMCategories: Politics
The general public may not be thrilled with the $700 billion "financial rescue" package that the House approved and President Bush signed Friday, but the alternative energy industry cheered its passage because the legislation includes renewals of tax breaks that company executives had worried would expire at the end of the year.
Included in the legislation Friday was a one-year extension of a tax break for wind energy production companies, and an eight year extension of a 30 percent tax break for residential and commercial solar installations.
"The bill is a major step in our long journey toward energy independence and ensures that solar energy will be a significant part of America's energy future," said the Solar Energy Industries Association president Rhone Resch in a statement. "This long-term extension of solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses and communities."
The renewable energy industry had been fretting all year that members of Congress would adjourn without renewing the tax breaks, which company representatives said would have put a crimp in the industry's growth because they would have had a harder time obtaining financing.
The bailout legislation included several other items that gave obscure tax breaks to the makers of wooden arrows, the film industry in Puerto Rico and a tariff suspension on wool imports, among other things.
Various accounts of the passage of the legislation over the past couple of days suggest that the inclusion of these earmarks didn't really have much of an impact on changing House members' votes.
For example, OpenCongress, a citizen-powered project that uses the web to track federal legislation, cobbled together a list of House members who had supported some of the amendments.
There doesn't appear to be a clear linkage between the sponsors of those amendments, and their voting patterns (here's the final roll call vote.) Many of the sponsors of the amendments ended up voting "no" to the bailout legislation on Friday.
Meanwhile, a report from National Journal's CongressDaily says that Democrats who voted for the bill were persuaded by phone calls from Barack Obama, and several Republicans who changed their votes were persuaded by calls from members of the US Chamber of Commerce.
Bacteria Could Power the Future
September 12th, 2008
Everyday alternative energy scene is garnering bigger and important space in newspapers and industrial lives. People are feeling the need for greener energy and cleaner environment. Some researchers are focusing their attention on one of the ancient living organisms, the cyanobacteria.
The process of photosynthesis occurred in cyanobacteria 3.7 billion years ago. This light harvesting system imparted the cyanobacteria with blue (cyan) color. The bacteria used water molecules to transport energy. They derived this energy from sunlight, while converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. We all know how this activity proved helpful for the plant and animal kingdom. Plants evolved by using bacteria to provide their photosynthetic engines. Animals got oxygen to breathe. But here scientists are trying to breakdown each and every mechanism of photosynthesis of cyanobacteria to produce fuels like hydrogen, hydrocarbons or alcohols.
Progress made in this field has been promising. Scientists are not only focusing on energy needs they also want to use photosynthesis for manufacturing precious compounds for the chemical and biotech industries. Researchers are trying to alter genetic pattern of plants and cyanobacteria so that humans can get products they want. But another group of scientists is trying to imitate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratories on human-made chemical compounds.
Both the approaches will be pursued simultaneously, as they both are potentially beneficial, as was discussed at a recent workshop focusing on the photosynthetic reaction centers of cyanobacteria, organized by the European Science Foundation (ESF).
A key point noted by Eva Mari Aro, the vice-chair of the ESF conference, was that there is now universal agreement over the ability of photosynthesis to provide large amounts of clean energy in future.
Currently biofuel producing crops generally alter less than 1% of the solar energy they receive to biomass. This way they are likely to consume a substantial portion of agricultural land used for food — an option no one would like to consider. But this can be solved by developing dedicated systems, using cyanobacteria, plants, or artificial components. They should be of much higher efficiencies, reaching 10% efficiency of solar energy conversion. This would enable enough energy and fuel to be produced for a large part of the planet’s needs without causing significant loss of space for food production.
August 18, 2008
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PROVINCEWIDE GEOTHERMAL PROGRAM
– – – Program Designed to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Help Consumers Control Energy Costs: Rondeau
A new provincewide geothermal program designed to reduce greenhouse gases and help Manitobans cope with rising energy costs was announced today by Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau.
“We believe this program will help Manitobans make the choice to use this proven technology to reduce their energy bills while helping us reach our Kyoto target,” Rondeau said.
The program, designed to expand on an industry that has already seen 6,000 Manitobans convert to geothermal heating and cooling systems, contains the following components:
For geothermal installations in new homes, Manitobans can receive up to $ 3,000 in incentives including a refundable Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit worth about $2,000 and a $1,000 grant.
For conversions in existing homes, Manitobans can also receive a refundable Green Energy Tax Credit worth about $2,100. When included with existing federal grants, existing homeowners can receive up to $5,600 in incentives.
Commercial building owners are eligible to receive up to 10 per cent of the value of their installed systems.
Building owners who install district geothermal service systems are eligible to up to $150,000.
The Manitoba government will also provide financial assistance to the industry to expand their drilling capacity.
“As a Canadian leader in geothermal installations, Manitoba is well-positioned to launch a provincewide market-assisted approach,” said Rondeau. “These incentives will help reduce upfront costs with this technology while complementing existing financial support available from the federal government and/or Manitoba Hydro.”
As an example, Rondeau noted that a homeowner who installs a $22,000 high-efficiency geothermal system into their existing home and receives a $5,600 incentive and a 4.9 per cent loan from Manitoba Hydro could see the investment returned in just seven years.
The Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act was passed earlier this year and is supported by Beyond Kyoto which includes 60 actions such as clean-energy expansion including energy-efficiency initiatives and the further development of hydro, wind and geothermal technologies.
The Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance will work with Manitobans in assessing geothermal options for their specific needs, providing accredited installers and accessing various provincial, federal and Manitoba Hydro incentives. For more information, visit www.mgea.ca.
A Step Closer to the Optimum Solar Cell
August 11th, 2008
We are conversant with the fact that solar cells absorb the visible light of the sun, though half of the sun’s output is made up of infrared light that too strikes the earth and it remains completely un-utilized. That is why only about 30% of the total sunlight can be converted to electricity thus lowering photovoltaic cells’ efficiency. But Spanish scientists have developed a new material that can absorb this invisible infrared light too. It will possibly give a boost to the solar cells producing energy and help in combating the current energy crisis. These special solar cells are developed by the scientists from Institute for Solar Energy at the Polytechnic University and the Institute of Catalysis of the Spanish Higher Scientific Research Council in Madrid, Spain.
This technology is not new. Even back in 1997 a group of Spanish scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California made the very first cells based on the technology with a theoretical absorption limit of 57 percent. Now researchers led by Perla Wahnón and José Conesa both in Madrid, have used that idea to design their new solar-cell material. They added titanium and vanadium atoms into a conventional semiconductor, altering its electronic properties to create the intermediate energy level. The Spanish team calculates that its material can theoretically capture 63% of the Sun’s rays.
Though practically the real-world effectiveness of cells based on the new design wouldn’t be attainable by 63%, explains Conesa. “But if the [theoretical] limit is higher, you can presume that the real figure that you will be able to reach will also be higher.” Early versions of the material match the properties predicted and, although a solar cell hasn’t yet been made, the team aims to in the near future.
Solar Energy Plant Coming to Philadelphia
August 8th, 2008
A company called Green Energy Capital Partners based in Philadelphia is planning to build what they term as the second largest solar energy plant in the nation, in the Carbon County. The $60 million, 100-megawatt solar energy plant will be built on 100 acres of land near the Green Acres Industrial Park in Nesquehoning. The solar energy plant is predicted to contain 40,000 solar panels on rotating mounts.
“We were between a cogeneration plant and another facility so we have two tie-ins with PPL and First Energy and we also have two industrial customers that may be able to take the power,” John Curtis, the founder of Green Energy Capital Partners, said.
The company claims that the solar panels will produce enough energy to power almost 15,000 homes even during cloudy weather.
The City of Philadelphia plans to get a quarter of its power from clean energy resources and this project will help it move nearer to the target. It’s not a surprise therefore that the state government is providing all the needed financial as well as material support to the company. In fact the company is getting several million dollars in incentive money to help build the facility.
Comparison Matrix of Ready and Emerging Innovative Transportation Technologies
Both ready and emerging technologies are included in this matrix. Links are provided to more detailed on-line information about all technologies. The current status of emerging transportation technologies (i.e. not currently available for sale or not currently in revenue operation somewhere) in the world is evaluated. Technologies that are developed and ready for sale have a yellow background.
The status of each emerging technology has been self-evaluated by the inventors/developers of that technology, as of mid-2008. Updates will be made as they become available. The definitions of the symbols used in the matrix are given below, following the comparison table.
Systems current available for sale, was operational several years ago in Europe and Canada. A system is currently being constructed in WeiHai, China (2008)
History of efforts to develop a tracked air-cushion, high-speed, jet-propelled train in the 1970's; designed for 60 passengers with speed at 150 mph, by Rohr Industries
Extensive test facility and development program completed in Germany in1979. Shuttle system in operation since 1976. US company pursuing private sector applications
For sale, extensive test and demo program continuing, first application in Japan has been completed. Has been studied in the U.S. under a FTA Urban Maglev contract. First public service initiated on Linimo line in March, 2005, in Japan
Prototype 6-passenger vehicle being developed, uses permanent magnets for suspension and linear motors for propulsion, test track being constructed near Port Angeles, Washington
One of FTA's Urban Maglev contractors, working toward demonstration project planned for near future, prototypes operating, recently awarded large FTA grant (2008)
Modular automated railway system that combines a sophisticated undercarriage with the advantages of maglev. using existing railways - for both people and cargo
Symbols Used to Describe the Status of Design Engineering and Testing Programs for Each Technology
Vehicle Development
H = Highly developed, fully built, being tested or ready for testing
M = Partially developed, some components and/or reduced scale prototype built and tested
L = Still mostly on paper, some engineering studies completed
N = All on paper or elsewhere
Guideway
H = Highly developed, full scale or scale model built, some testing accomplished
M = Engineering design, analysis and cost studies completed
L = Still mostly on paper, some engineering studies completed
N = All on paper or elsewhere
Command and Control Software
H = Software fully developed, simulation capability tested and available for application studies
M = Software designed, partially developed, no simulation capability available as yet
L = Concepts in mind, some preliminary studies completed
N = Not much progress yet
Testing Program
H = Test track built and being used for vehicle and software testing and demonstrations
M = Section of test track built, some testing accomplished
L = Only small scale or prototype test facilities available
N = No progress on test program other than planning so far
Cost Target (rough estimate of system capital cost, which includes all necessary components for operational system - contact vendor for specifics)
H = More that $30 million/mile ($18.75/km)
MH = $20-30 million/mile ($12.5-$18.75/km)
M = $10-20 million/mile ($6.25-12.5/km)
L = $5-10 million/mile ($3.125-6.25/km)
VL = Less than $5 million/mile ($3.125/km)
Active Marketing Program?
H = Established and active sales/marketing program, some market research undertaken
M = Brochures, videos, extensive written materials, active website
L = Some details and illustrations available
N = Not ready for this yet
Operational System Available for Inspection?
H = Test facility in operation and can provide rides and be inspected
M = Operating prototype available as are simulation results
L = Illustrations and/or static models available
N = Nothing available so far
T. Boone Pickens proposes energy plan for America
A critical message from T. Boone Pickens: "America is in a hole and it's getting deeper every day. We import 70 percent of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year - four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. I've been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we're organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes toward cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources.To get this done, I need your help. Check out the plan. If you think it's worth fighting for, please join our effort, and encourage everyone you know to do the same."
GreenField, Enerkem to build waste to ethanol plant in Edmonton
June 27, 2008
Toronto-based Greenfield Ethanol and Montreal's Enerkem said they plan to jointly build a $70 million waste to ethanol plant in Edmonton, Alberta.
The 36 million liter per year plant is the first under a partnership announced earlier this year from ethanol producer GreenField Ethanol and biofuels technology firm Enerkem.
"This new facility will be a first for both the biofuels and waste management industries. This is the world's first agreement signed between a large urban centre and a biofuel producer to turn municipal waste into ethanol," said Vincent Chornet, president and CEO of Enerkem.
The project is getting $29 million in backing from the Alberta Energy Research Institute, with the city of Edmonton and the government of Alberta contributing the bulk of that cash.
Enerkem said the city of Edmonton would also contribute $50 million to a related processing plant and research facility.
"This next generation biofuels facility will offer drivers a new choice in transportation fuels," said Donald Pierce, president of Greenfield Ethanol's Advanced Biofuels Group.
Enerkem said the new facility would reduce Alberta's carbon dioxide footprint by more than 6 million tonnes over the next 25 years, which it said is the equivalent of removing 12,000 cars off the road every year.
The city of Edmonton has signed a 25 year agreement with GreenField Ethanol and Enerkem for the project, which Enerkem said would be the world's first industrial scale facility to produce biofuels from municipal solid waste.
Electric Folding Bikes: Ultra-Efficient City Travel
June 26th, 2008
Folding bikes are particularly efficient when used in conjunction with public transit. Unlike regular bikes, they can be taken easily on buses, trains or ferries. In fact, some transit systems will only allow folding bikes to be taken on board. I recently reviewed the Best Folding Bikes of 2008. An efficient addition to these bikes is an electric motor. For a little extra weight, you get the benefit of going up hills easily, and this is often very important to commuters who do not work up a sweat before getting into work. Let’s take a look at one of the better folding electric bikes out there: a Dahon Mu P8 custom fitted with a BionX electric assist motor.
This bike is called Dahon Conversion and its sold by NYCEWheels for $1899 (see photos above and below).
The Dahon Conversion weighs just 42 pounds. It can be folded in less than 20 seconds into a size roughly 13″ x 25″ x 30″.
The folding of the bicycle requires the loosening of 4 clasps and the bicycle collapses to its folded size without removing any of the wheels or adjusting any of the gears. The wires are out of the way and do not obstruct the folding and require no special attention in the folding process.
The bike has a range of 20-30 miles. This version of the bike uses a 250 watt motor and NiMH batteries. If you spend more, you can get a 350 watt motor (add $230) or lithium-ion batteries (add $300).
The BionX standard system includes a control console, a battery and a motor. The control console includes a multi-functional odometer, four assistance levels, four generative settings as well as a battery charge indicator.
You can also create your own folding electric bike. For example, to recreate the Dahon Conversion you could get the Dahon Mu P8 (about $590) and install the BionX motor system yourself (kits start at $1100). Of course you can also use other folding bikes and electric assist kits. Some kits are available for less than $500, however I do not know if they are quality products. There’s also DVD that will tell you how to fit your bike with an electric motor — its a bit hokey but it shows the basic method of installation.
Duke Energy Acquires Wind Developer
June 27, 2008
Source: Clean Edge News
Duke Energy recently announced the acquisition of Catamount Energy Corporation from funds affiliated with Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC, a transaction that will significantly increase Duke Energy's wind energy operations.
"This acquisition reinforces Duke Energy's commitment to clean, renewable energy as a major component of electricity generation throughout the U.S.," said Wouter van Kempen, president of Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a business unit of Duke Energy that owns and develops renewable energy assets.
Catamount Energy was formed in 1992. Since 2001, the company has focused on developing wind projects in the U.S. and United Kingdom. Catamount has approximately 300 megawatts of renewable energy in operation, including its interests in the Sweetwater project in Nolan County, Texas, which is one of the largest wind projects in the world. Additionally, Catamount has approximately 1,750 megawatts of development interests in several states and the U.K.
Michael Ranger, a senior managing director of Diamond Castle, said: "We are very proud of the growth that Catamount experienced during our ownership period. Catamount's management team took an early stage wind business and grew it into a strong operating company with a great development function."
"Bringing in the experience and proven track record of Catamount provides Duke Energy with an opportunity to broaden its investment in renewable energy, and continue its efforts to reduce carbon emissions," said David Marks, DEGS senior vice president of wind energy.
The acquisition, according to the company, valued at approximately $240 million plus assumed debt, is a continuation of their strategy to develop renewable energy. In May 2007, Duke purchased Tierra Energy, a leading wind developer in Austin, Texas. The combined entity will have more than 5,000 megawatts of wind energy under development in 12 states and approximately 500 megawatts of operating assets by the end of 2008.
Several other recent renewable initiatives announced by Duke Energy include a $100 million plan to install electricity generating solar panels at up to 850 North Carolina sites; a plan to purchase electricity output from the nation's largest photovoltaic solar farm to be built in Davidson County, N.C.; a 20-year contract to purchase 100 megawatts from a wind farm in Indiana; and a request for proposals to purchase significant amounts of electricity from renewable energy providers in Ohio.
At first Agassi raised some Congressional eyebrows when he explained he wanted to offer electric cars for free. But by the end Chairman Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) concluded by saying “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Agassi said that for a “mere” $100 billion, or the equivalent of two months of U.S. oil imports, we could build the necessary infrastructure to support an electrified fleet — $80 billion of which would stimulate domestic jobs. Agassi implored:
Cut away the red tape, put in the incentives to actually accelerate this plan, and probably call Detroit again… We owe a debt to Detroit. In 1942 the President called them up and said “Please stop making cars and start making tanks.” Maybe it’s time the president called Detroit again and said “Stop making tanks. Please make the right cars.”
Agassi was flanked by Project Better Place Partners, Dominique Thormann, Senior VP of Nissan North America, and Torben Holm of Denmark’s DONG Energy. Both echoed Agassi’s assurances that the means and will to electrify a nation’s auto fleet exist today.
The inclusion of Agassi and his business partners at the hearing shows that some members of congress are seriously considering going electric in a big way. Agassi has already won over the politicians of two other nations and he’s been spending an awful lot of time on the Hill as gas prices continue to soar. Perhaps D.C. is slowly warming to the idea that a plug could be the solution to our oil woes.
The campaign trail got heated over energy this week with Obama calling McCain’s plans for offshore drilling and a $300 million battery prize “gimmicks” while the McCain campaign tried to label Obama’s opposition to many energy proposals as a move by “Dr. No.” Since then, Obama has met with Detroit automakers and new critics have come out against McCain’s offshore oil proposal:
GM to Obama: ‘We Need Money’: In a panel discussion on the economy in Pittsburgh, Obama asked GM Chairman Rick Wagoner what he could do as president to best help Detroit “pivot” as quickly as possible and start making greener cars. Wagoner listed three things: research assistance for new technologies, incentives and rebates for consumers, and help converting manufacturing plants. So, really, he said Detroit needs one thing: money, money and money.
Schwarzenegger Criticizes McCain on Offshore Drilling: Speaking yesterday in Miami, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attacked McCain’s claim that offshore drilling would lower gas prices. “Anyone who tells you this would bring down gas prices any time soon is blowing smoke,” the governor said. Schwarzenegger’s host, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, had modified his stance on the issue earlier in the week, saying he’d support offshore drilling if it was environmentally safe.
Obama Launches Energy Policy Website: To highlight the differences between Obama’s and McCain’s energy policies, the Obama campaign has launched a new web site with a side-by-side comparison of the two candidates’ energy plans. In case you were getting tired of clicking back and forth between our takes on Obama’s and McCain’s energy plans, this could be useful.
Renault intends to produce annually 100,000 units of its new range of electric vehicles until the year 2015. The estimate is almost two times higher compared to normal demand of about 30,000-50,000 units per year. “These figures show the confidence that Renault and Nissan put in the electric cars,” said Carlos Ghosn, executive director of the company.
Renault initially will convert models Clio, Megane saloon and Kangoo light van, to work with electricity. Cars will be destined for Israel and Denmark markets until 2011.Nissan will also be on these markets in the same year.
Since 2012, both companies will launch an electric car. Renault officials have said that the new car will be from steel, for cost reasons. The car will have almost 4 meters length and space in interior for at least four people.
Energy will be stored in lithium-ion batteries, produced by a partnership between the Alliance and NEC, the Japanese electronics giant. The loading will be four to eight hours to an almost empty battery and two to four hours for a battery half downloaded.
Renault officials have said that technology of start-stop for cars will be introduced gradually on the entire range of Renault since 2009-2010.
Manitoba Hydro grants tentative approval to St. Joseph wind farm energy project
By Elmer Heinrichs (Posted on website: mysteinbach.ca)
The hamlet of St. Joseph is the likely site of Manitoba's second wind farm, slated to be one of the biggest in Canada.
Just recently Manitoba Hydro announced it is pursuing final negotiations with Calgary-based BowArk Energy, the winner of a year-long bidding war between more than a dozen wind power companies vying to build the province's second wind farm.
BowArk will spend about $750 million to build a 300 megawatt wind farm around the hamlet, located just east of Altona. That's three times the size of the wind farm at St. Leon, and it will add enough electricity to Manitoba's grid to provide power to 100,000 homes.
More than 100 people came to the open house recently to check out the exhibits for the St. Joseph wind farm project prepared by BowArk Energy and partner Babcock and Brown.
100 tour BowArk project
The project, located in the RMs of Montcalm and Rhineland, was submitted in 2007 to Manitoba Hydro following its request for proposals for the purchase of up to 300 megawatts of wind generated electricity.
The open house on April 8, gave residents a chance to look at maps and spot where the wind turbines might be situated. Ten proponents were short-listed in December, and Manitoba Hydro recently announced that "initial discussions will concentrate on proposals submitted by St. Joseph Wind Farms Inc."
Simulated before and after pictures covered the displays and with directional views showed how the turbines would enhance or detract from the present area skyline. The project also showed off three distinct phases, and will involve more than 250 landowners.
Two groups of people, distinct in their attitude towards the proposed wind power, came to view the exhibits. Some view it as a boon to local landowners and the economy, while others do not favour the project for a myriad of reasons, effect on the environment, appearance, or noise.
Hydro's contract with BowArk isn't a done deal yet – the two must reach a final power sale agreement, which could take another couple of months. There's also a long wait for turbines and BowArk must also complete its environmental licensing process.
A fact sheet, distributed at the open house, stated that construction would likely start in early 2009, and so it's safe to project that windmills won't likely be turning for another two years.
"Let's face it. There's no hiding a wind turbine. They are 30 stories tall and tend to be set in clusters. Having said that, many people find beauty and elegance in these sleek and modern structures," says the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
It also notes that rural economies tend to have traditional ties to the land and nature. "(In hard times) there's a bright spot on the horizon and that bright spot is wind energy."
Ron Parent, head of a local seven-member committee, says it'll be good for both landowners and Montcalm.
A bonanza for landowners?
The new wind farm awaiting final approval could very well be the richest in Canada with landowners paid up to $10,500 annually, depending on the amount of energy produced, for every turbine on their land.
As well, BowArk proposes to pay out a one-time bonus (compensation) of $195 an acre to all eligible landowners in the vicinity who have been invited to sign right-of-way agreements. This would amount to approximately $29,000 per quarter section.
Right now, the big question is which of three proposals by BowArk Manitoba Hydro will choose; will it be the 100 megawatt, the 200 megawatt, or the largest, a 300 megawatt 120-turbine project. Signing of right-of-way agreements with landowners (Phase 3) continues in April.
Company president Brad Sparkes says many things drew the company to St. Joseph such as the wind, the community support, and the open land. But not least of all, a Hydro substation down the road in Letellier played a major part in the company's decision to build a wind farm here.
Electric Cars for 2010
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
By John Addison (6/4/08). With oil prices rocketing past $130 per barrel, a growing number of vehicle makers are planning to offer electric vehicles by 2010. Zero gasoline will be used.
Over 40,000 electric vehicles (EV) are currently used in the United States. Most are used in fleet applications, from maintenance to checking parking meters; these EVs are mostly limited to 25 mph speed and 20 mile range. A growing number of fleet EVs, however, are early trails of a new generation of freeway-speed EVs that will be available to the mass consumer market in 2010.
Mitsubishi is on target to sell its electric vehicle in the U.S. in 2010. The i-EV is a friendly looking sub-compact which easily handles freeway speeds. It’s expected 100 mile-plus range per charge will meet the needs of urban dwellers and most in suburbia. The drive system uses three permanent magnetic synchronous motors which receive power from a 16kWh lithium battery stack. Tokyo Electric Power is currently testing ten i-EV
Nissan’s and Renault’s famous CEO, Carlos Ghosn, plans to be selling electric vehicles in the U.S. market in 2010. He anticipates more cities following London’s model of expensive congestion fees, with fee exemptions and preferred parking for zero-emission vehicles. In many markets, Nissan will offer electric vehicles with permanently installed lithium batteries that will be trickle charged. Nissan owns 51% of Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, which plans to be producing lithium batteries for 10,000 vehicles annually by 2010. Plant expansion has begun to produce lithium batteries for 60,000 electric vehicles annually.
By 2012, Ghosn plans to have a Renault-Nissan alliance offering a wide range of electric vehicles in many major markets, charging ahead of all competition. Economist Article
In Israel and Denmark, Renault and Nissan will partner with Project Better Place. to sell electric vehicles without batteries. Project Better Place will lease batteries that can be quickly exchanged at many locations. The exchange will take no longer than a traditional gasoline fill-up, appealing to motorists needing extended range. The battery lease will cost a fraction of what most now spend on gasoline.
Popular in Europe, Think will bring its electric vehicle to the U.S. Think city reaches a top speed of 65 miles per hour and can drive up to 110 miles on a single charge. Think city meets all European and US federal motor vehicle safety requirements. At the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year, Think announced a strategic partnership with energy giant General Electric, also an investor in Think. By 2011 look for a larger TH!NK Ox. Think has also established partnerships in the US with battery suppliers A123 and EnerDel. Think has established a U.S. headquarters and will begin sales in the U.S. before 2010. A123 Technology Review Article
In 2009, the smart ev may be available in the U.S. The cars 70/70 specs are appealing for city drivers: 70 mile range, 70 mile per hour freeway speed. Daimler’s smart ev is in trail in the UK with the Energy Saving Trust, Islington and Coventry Councils, Lloyds Pharmacy, EDF Energy, BT, and other fleets. To achieve a range of 72 miles, it is using the Zebra sodium-nickel-chloride battery which has caused maintenance difficulties in some U.S. fleets.
The cityZENN is planned for a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 250 miles. Powered by EEStor barium-titanate ceramic ultracapacitors, the cityZENN will be rechargeable in less than 5 minutes! Venture capitalists are betting that stealth EEStor is real. On Friday, May 30, ZENN Motor Company announced that it had raised another $15 million dollars.
Most major auto makers continue to believe that most U.S. customers will insist on ranges exceeding 250 miles and a national infrastructure of fuel refilling (or recharging) in five minutes. Even as GM announces factory closings and plummeting sales, CEO Richard Wagner states that GM is committed to bring the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt to market by the end of 2010. If it can deliver at under $30,000, the vehicle will offer tough competition to some of the smaller EV players.
As Toyota solidifies its number one global market share leadership, it also remains on target to deliver a plug-in hybrid to the U.S. market by the end of 2010. It is likely to have an all-electric range of 40 miles and a gasoline range 10X that amount. Watch Toyota use an expanded line of hybrid vehicles to unset GM, making Toyota the market leader is the U.S.
May rained on every auto maker’s parade in the U.S., except Honda, which set sales records with its fuel efficient Civic. Honda is passing Chrysler to become the #4 seller in the U.S. Honda is rumored to be bringing a new hybrid to the U.S. next year priced in the mid-teens. This will give hybrids a big boost in market share from the current 3% of total vehicle sales.
While I was giving a speech at the Fuel Cell 2008 , Honda announced that it would lease 200 Clarity FCX hydrogen fuel cell cars for $600 per month, including maintenance. In June, it will start selecting from 50,000 who have expressed interest in the 270-mile range four-door sedan. The FCX Clarity is aerodynamic and beautifully styled. Honda’s new hybrid is likely to have a similar body style.
Some critics have dismissed electric vehicles as golf carts for retirees and sport car toys for millionaires. These critics have missed a fundamental market shift that started with the success of hybrid-electric cars, light electric vehicles, and with e-scooters. Customer enthusiasm for electric vehicles is the result of many factors:
Oil Prices
ZEV Cities & Congestion Tax
Electronic drive simplifies auto design
Vehicle weight reduction with electric accessories and components
Reduced maintenance because of few mechanical components
GHG Regulation
Battery technology advances that reduce cost and weight
Increased battery safety
Success of hybrid-electrics
At the FRA Renewable Energy Investor Conference (my presentation handouts), I led a panel discussion about electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Major private equity and project finance investors were optimistic in sessions about electric vehicles, solar power, wind power, and carbon trading. Many expressed discouragement in the biofuels sessions, but at the same time saw increased opportunities with bioenergy and bio-methane from landfills.
In a few years, millions will be driving full-featured freeway-speed four-door sedan electric vehicles. Look for a shift away from foreign oil to riding on local renewable energy.
John Addison publishes the Clean Fleet Report and speaks at transportation and energy conferences.
Here’s another flashy concept that uses solar energy for transportation: the solar speedboat! Unlike the solar sailor we talked about earlier, the Dutch MK1 prototype is designed to travel at speeds up to 30 knots per hour! In 2006 the Delft Technical University Solarboat Team raced the speedboat to first place in the Nuon Frisian Solar Challenge. The 10 meter long lightweight boat has a carbon fibre body and an 80 kilowatt motor powered by 14 square meters of solar panels. The boat is obviously not designed for utalitarian purposes, but it is a positive step toward further development of solar technologies.
Future of Humanity at Risk from Climate Change, Warns United Nations
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 by: David Gutierrez | Key concepts: climate change, international community and natural health.
(NaturalNews) The United Nations has issued a report warning that global climate change and other environmental destruction is rapidly pushing the planet's life support systems past the point of no return. The U.N. Environment Program referred to the fourth Global Environmental Outlook report as "the final wake-up call to the international community."
The report, prepared by a group of 338 experts, compared current levels of consumption and population with the resources available on the planet. According to the researchers' calculations, current resource demand requires 22 hectares (54 acres) per person. However, current population levels mean that only 2.02 hectares per person are available. This is estimated to fall to 1.63 hectares per person by 2050 as the population climbs to a projected stabilization point of 8 to 10 billion.
According to Achim Steiner, executive direction of the U.N. Environment Program, the problem is not population per se, but rather per capita impact on the planet.
"To force people to stop having children would be a simplistic answer," Steiner said. "The more realistic, ethical and practical issue is to accelerate human well-being and make more rational use of the resources we have."
The report says that the planet is increasingly stressed by factors such as global climate change. Indicators of this ecological stress are the spread of dead zones in oceans and the resurgence of certain diseases.
Steiner warned that the effects of climate change are "accelerating at a pace that goes beyond the scenarios and models we've been using." Certain regions of the planet are expected to reach ecological tipping points in the near future, meaning that the ecology will be so damaged that it can no longer recover. Steiner also warned that if climate change continues to dry out parts of Africa and melt Himalayan glaciers that supply water to vast portions of India and China, tipping points could be passed in those regions soon.
He called for the international community to put the same effort into combating other forms of environmental degradation as has been shown on climate change in recent years.
Climate Change Legislation for Manitoba
On April 11, 2008, Manitoba introduced new legislation - Bill 15 The Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act - that requires the province to meet Canada's Kyoto target for 2008-2012 and set long-term goals for 2020 and 2025.
In order to meet its Kyoto commitments, Manitoba must reduce its annual emissions to 17 megatonnes (MT) from approximately 20 MT. To achieve this, the first goal is to reduce GHGs below 2000 levels by 2010.
To meet its 2012 target, Manitoba is proposing to annually:
reduce emissions from transportation sector by up to one MT;
reduce emissions from large emitters by 650,000 tonnes;
reduce emissions through clean energy expansion by 670,000 tonnes;
reduce emissions through agriculture, forestry and community programs by 680,000 tonnes; and
reduce emissions through future climate action investments by 250,000-plus tonnes.
Some initiatives announced to achieve reduction of GHG emissions include: updating building codes, banning import of cars older than the 1995 model year, and allowing zero emission vehicles onto the province's roads. The government has committed $145 million over four years to implement the law.
The Climate Action Network (CAN-RAC), Canada's umbrella organization representing environmental and civil society from across the country who are concerned about global climate change, congratulated Manitoba for taking a leading role in the fight against climate change in Canada.
There are questions and concerns because the legislation leaves many questions that will only be answered as regulations are drafted and come into force - which will take some time.
Gaile Whelan Enns, Director of Manitoba Wildlands, emphasized the need for Manitobans to support the legislation and get involved in building the substance of the legislation, as it currently provides only a basic framework. "Our government is acting on its commitments to reduce emissions inside Manitoba by meeting the Kyoto target. Cooperative work with large emitters, and collaboration with Manitoban communities and companies, will provide models for other provinces and states."
Recommendations for the transportation regulations will not be made until 2009, which means that they may not come into effect until 2010 - a significant time gap that could be avoided if Manitoba simply follows California's lead.
Wind Energy Sets Global Growth Record in 2007
Canada Expects a Record Year for New Installations in 2008
02/01/2008 - Wind Energy Sets Global Growth Record in 2007
January 30, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario - As another global record was set in 2007 with the installation of 20,000 MW of new, emission-free wind power, Canada’s total installed capacity grew to 1,846 MW with the addition of 386 MW of new wind energy projects, its 2nd best year ever. Wind energy now produces enough electricity in Canada to meet the needs of 560,000 homes. The North American market experienced the strongest growth globally in 2007, with more than 5,200 MW of new wind energy capacity installed in the United States alone.
Canada currently ranks as the world’s 11th largest nation in terms of installed wind energy capacity. With an anticipated minimum installation of another 700 MW in 2008, representing well over $1.5 billion in investment, Canada is poised to set a new record for annual installed wind energy capacity. These 2008 installations have already begun with the commissioning of Sky Generation’s 10 MW Ravenswood project in January. This project is the first to be constructed under Ontario’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.
“Wind energy must be a key component of any Canadian strategy to address climate change and Canada has still only scratched the surface of its massive wind energy potential,” says Robert Hornung, President, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). “Although wind energy is growing rapidly in Canada, other countries continue to view wind energy as a strategic resource and are moving much more quickly to support its deployment. If Canada is to become a ‘global clean energy leader’ and capture the multiple economic and environmental benefits of wind energy, federal and provincial governments must start to “think big” about wind energy and make it a core element of their future energy development strategies.”
Provincial governments are currently seeking to put in place a minimum of 12,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity by 2016. This would meet 5% of Canada’s total electricity demand in that year and result in more than 10,000 annual person years of employment by that date. While this represents rapid growth, countries like Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Portugal already receive between 5 and 20 percent of their electricity from wind energy and have more aggressive targets in place.
Wind energy produces no air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to its environmental benefits, wind energy delivers substantial economic benefits to rural communities through investment and job creation, lease income for landowners, and a new tax base for municipal governments.
To view a map of Canada’s wind farm installations:
CanWEA is a national, not-for-profit, member-based association working on behalf of its more than 300 corporate members to facilitate and promote the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy in Canada.
Manitoba Signs Midwest Climate Accord/Energy and Climate Platform
Six Midwestern governors and the Premier of Manitoba signed agreements to promote renewable energy and climate stewardship in Milwaukee November 14, 2007.
The governors of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and the premier of Manitoba signed the "Greenhouse Gas Accord", which commits the states and Manitoba to work together to slash emissions linked to global warming over coming decades. They will establish regional targets for reducing greenhouse gases as well as a regional cap and trade mechanism for carbon emissions.
The Midwest Greenhouse Gas Accord will:
Establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and timeframes consistent with MGA member states' targets;
Develop a market-based and multi-sector cap-and-trade mechanism to help achieve reduction targets;
Establish a system to enable tracking, management, and crediting for entities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
Develop and implement additional steps to achieve reduction targets.
All 12 governors and Manitoba signed the "Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform for the Midwest". The Platform is designed to:
encourage development of hydro power, wind, biofuels, geothermal and other renewable energy sources
outline specific efforts to increase energy efficiency
set goals for development of next-generation coal-fired power plants and underground carbon dumps for carbon dioxide emissions
Among Platform goals:
All new coal-fired power plants built after 2020 required to capture carbon dioxide, ship to an underground storage site.
By 2030 30% of region's electricity comes from renewable energy sources (wind turbines, landfill gas).
One-third of region's gas stations selling the E85 blend of ethanol by 2025.
Sources: Manitoba Government, Governor of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online,
Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Canadians see financial benefits of going green, Investors Group poll finds
Winnipeg, MB – October 4, 2007: An overwhelming 82 per cent of Canadians plan to change their behaviour and adopt green practices, according to the findings of a new poll commissioned by Investors Group. They are especially interested in “going green” if it will save them money.
Sixty-three per cent would be willing to spend up to $10,000 in changes to their homes to reduce annual energy costs by 25 per cent. Eight per cent would invest up to $25,000 to achieve this goal, while five per cent would do whatever it costs.
“Canadians are looking at the cost of going green and realizing that a financial investment in lifestyle and behaviour changes can have positive impact on both the environment and their pocketbooks,” said Dan McClure, co-manager with Keith McLean, of Investors Group SummaTM Fund, the country’s largest socially responsible investment (SRI) fund. “Our research suggests that the majority of Canadians now view environmental best practices as being practical and financially astute, as well as the right thing to do.”
The findings substantiate learnings from other Investors Group research that revealed Canadians have been changing their behaviour and examining household expenses because of higher energy costs. In a poll released in June 2007, two-thirds of Canadian adults (69 per cent) said they are already avoiding the use of air conditioning or lowering the thermostat in winter to reduce the use of energy.
The Winds Of Change (St. Leon Wind Farm)
by Lee Gregg, WD Communications, Winnipeg
Seven years after the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) helped St. Léon establish a Community Development Corporation (CDC), the town finds itself at the centre of one of the most important wind energy parks in Canada. Located 150 kilometers southwest of the City of Winnipeg, St. Léon was chosen for this $90 million project over several other locations. Paul Grenier, President of the St. Léon CDC, credits CDEM for the success of this project. “St. Léon approached CDEM for assistance with economic development,” said Grenier. “They helped us to set up a round table, similar to a Chamber of Commerce, that became known as the Community Development Corporation. CDEM also helped the CDC negotiating committee by bringing in experts to develop a proposal for the farmers on whose lands the windmills are located. If it had not been for CDEM, this project would probably never have happened.”
Construction of the St. Léon wind farm created a significant economic impact in the region. Three hundred jobs were created during the construction phase, with ten permanent positions created to run the wind farm. Local companies saw an increase in sales for construction materials and accommodations. Meal service increased five-fold, which led to the hiring of additional employees.
All of the power generated is sold to Manitoba Hydro under a 25-year power purchase agreement. St. Léon farmers will earn about $275,000 a year from the 63 wind turbines scattered over their 51 farms. The municipality and school division will also earn approximately $750,000. The concept for a wind farm came from Sequoia Energy Inc., a project development company from British Columbia. Partnering with Global Renewable Energy Partners Canada, the two formed Bison Winds to develop the project. Air Source Power Fund (AirSource), a finance company established to invest in wind energy, was brought in to help with financing. AirSource established St. Léon Wind Energy to finance and run the wind farm.
Bison Winds—impressed with the outstanding support from the town of St. Léon, the CDC and CDEM—is now looking at establishing a wind farm in Pembina Hills, south of St. Léon. This is welcome news for southern Manitoba’s rural communities, which are still suffering from the most widespread summer flooding in the province’s history and the resulting economic fall-out. CDEM, a member of Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WD) Business Service Network, has been the driving force behind economic development in Manitoba’s bilingual communities since 1996.
Wind Farm at St. Leon, Manitoba (Watch Video Now!)
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