CESA News

Clean Energy States Alliance Announces New Members

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) welcomes six new organizations into its membership: District Department of the Environment, Energy Administration (D.C.); New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services; Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD); Long Island Power Authority (LIPA); and State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism.

These organizations join the growing list of subnational entities dedicated to deploying public funding for clean energy projects in states. As CESA members, they will benefit from ready access to the knowledge of their peers across the nation through biannual meetings, monthly members-only calls, coordinated projects with other members and with federal government agencies, and consulting services ' highly leveraging their time and investments.

More information about CESA membership is available here.

Clean Energy States Alliance Announces 2010 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) today announced seven state clean State Leadership in Clean Energy (SLICE) Awards to programs and projects that demonstrate leadership, effectiveness, and innovation in clean energy. The second annual SLICE awards were made today at The Monocle restaurant in Washington, DC, before an audience of state clean energy fund managers, federal energy program managers, renewable energy advocates, congressional staff, and invited press.

The programs and projects awarded this year for their uniquely effective and innovative approaches to deploying clean energy are: California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program/Advanced Energy Recovery System, California Energy Commission's Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's Community Scale Wind Initiative, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program's Local Government Energy Audit, Minnesota's Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund's Renewable Energy Kit for Remote Telecom Equipment, Energy Trust of Oregon's Solarize Portland, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Feed-In-Tariff Program.

Through the SLICE awards, CESA is recognizing the bold leadership states are providing in moving the clean energy economy forward. 'Today, the states are the major driving force in funding renewable energy projects throughout the U.S.,' said CESA's Executive Director, Mark Sinclair. 'States understand that clean energy has a key role in driving their environmental and economic progress. In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to champion state efforts to invest in the nation's clean energy future."

CESA's SLICE awards recognize the state programs that are most effectively accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies and advancing energy markets. The state programs honored by the SLICE awards have funded and supported innovative programs, established funds that provide critical capital investment for clean energy programs, and have collaborated effectively with industry partners, utility commissions, and local governments.

CESA member organizations from across the U.S. submitted nominations for the SLICE awards. Winners were chosen by a panel of distinguished judges, all experts in clean energy, including: Michael Northrop (Program Director, Rockefeller Brothers Fund), Gilbert Sperling (Director for the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), Glen Andersen (Energy Policy Specialist, National Conference of State Legislatures), Susan Sloan (Director of State Relations at the American Wind Energy Association), Robert Thresher (Senior Fellow at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory), and Scott Sklar (President of the Stella Group).

The awards reception was held as part of CESA's biannual conference, at which members have the opportunity to join forces and learn about new programs, tools, and funds available for accelerating clean energy deployment. More information about CESA's annual member meeting is available on its website at www.cleanenergystates.org.

About Clean Energy States Alliance

Clean Energy States Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that works with public funds and state agencies to advance clean energy technologies, projects, and markets. CESA provides information and technical services to its members and shares its knowledge with the federal government and influential policymakers. CESA's member states manage programs that will invest nearly $6 billion in the next ten years to support clean energy. CESA is managed by Clean Energy Group.

www.cleanenergystates.org, www.cleanegroup.org

New Report Finds States Take Clean Energy Lead, Investing Billions, Creating Jobs, and Reducing Carbon Emissions

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

A new report from Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) demonstrates how state clean energy funds have emerged as a major driver of renewable energy projects across the U.S. Within the past decade, states from Connecticut to California have funded 52,000 projects using the full range of renewable energy technologies, including wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower. The 10-year voluntary investment by states of $1.9 billion has leveraged $10.1 billion in additional project investment and added 2.5 new, clean gigawatts (GW) to the grid.

'Today, the states are the major driving force in funding renewable energy projects throughout the U.S.,' said CESA's Executive Director, Mark Sinclair. 'States understand that clean energy has a key role in driving their environmental and economic progress. In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to champion state efforts to invest in the nation's clean energy future."

The report, State Clean Energy Fund Support for Renewable Energy Projects, describes the progress of the fifteen most successful clean energy investment funds across the U.S. in the last decade:

From 1998-2008, CESA-member states supported 52,000 new renewable energy projects.
Over this period, the funds invested over $1.9 billion in state dollars, which in turn has leveraged $10.1 billion in private capital, bringing the total public and private investment to over $12 billion.
2008, the most recent year of complete records, was the most successful year to date, with 12,500 clean energy project installations (a 13% increase over 2007 and 24% of all installations since 1998).
The 12,500 projects installed in 2008 supported the creation of 5,000 jobs and will generate 1.2 million megawatt-hours of electricity per year and avoid 382,500 tons of CO₂ emissions per year ' the equivalent of taking 66,000 cars off the road.

By supporting creative finance, policy, and market initiatives, the states have been serving as laboratories where ideas for implementing clean energy can be tested and proven in the real world, and have been leading the way ' across the nation ' in deploying clean energy, even without a mandate at the federal level. The states are proving that they are key partners and allies in national efforts to secure a clean energy future, and have the right mechanisms in place to grow the green economy from the ground up.

The database and associated report were generously supported by the New York Community Trust.

A copy of the report can be downloaded at: http://www.cleanenergystates.org/Publications/CESA_2008_CEDatabase_Rpt_June2010.pdf.

New Solarize Guidebook: A tool for local governments and communities to pursue energy independence

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A new guidebook that shares best practices from recent volunteer-driven Solarize projects about volume purchasing of solar energy systems aims to help other communities grow clean energy programs and create family-wage jobs. The Solarize Guidebook, developed for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the City of Portland, is now available at: www.portlandonline.com/bps/solarizeguide.

Four Solarize Portland projects, plus efforts in Pendleton, Salem and other cities, have been completed since 2009. During each project, neighbors learn together the ins and outs of going solar - from how the technology works and finding a contractor to learning about available financing options such as Energy Trust of Oregon cash incentives and state and federal tax credits.

The guidebook features key elements of the Solarize campaigns in Portland, and offers several program variations from projects beyond Portland. The guidebook provides lessons, considerations, and step-by-step plans for project organizers who are looking to replicate a collective purchasing model.

"From green building to urban farming, Portland is proving to be a living laboratory for urban sustainability in America," said Portland Mayor Sam Adams. "With the new first-of-its-kind Solarize guidebook, Portlanders are showing once again their enthusiasm for making sustainability easier, more convenient and more affordable. I hope and am confident that the lessons learned here in Portland will benefit neighborhoods and cities around the nation."

The City of Portland launched its first solar program in 2006 with the help of an award from the DOE Solar America Cities program. This grant provided funding for the creation of The Solarize Guidebook as part of the larger DOE effort to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies for a cleaner and more secure energy future.

"We are delighted to share the practical tools from the Solarize campaigns with local governments and community organizers," said Susan Anderson, director of the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. "The City of Portland, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Cities program, is intent on continuing to develop creative approaches to increase market demand for solar. In addition, our bureau continues to help connect Portland's businesses and homeowners to resources and local solar contractors outside of the Solarize effort."

About Solar America Cities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has designated 25 major U.S. cities as Solar America Cities committed to accelerating the adoption of solar energy technologies. Best practices and lessons learned from the Solar America Cities are shared across the United States to help other communities replicate successes. Visit Solar America Cities at www.solaramericacommunities.energy.gov.

About National Renewable Energy Lab

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL's mission and strategy are focused on advancing the U.S. Department of Energy's and our nation's energy goals. The laboratory's scientists and researchers support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable alternative energy solutions. Learn more about NREL at www.nrel.gov.

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and tapping renewable resources. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save nearly $600 million on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.

About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

To create and enhance a vibrant city, the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability combines the disciplines of planning and sustainability to advance Portland's diverse and distinct neighborhoods, promote a prosperous and low-carbon economy, and help ensure that people and the natural environment are healthy and integrated into the cityscape. BPS provides a forum for community engagement and education, and is a catalyst for action. With a city full of partners, BPS develops creative and practical solutions on issues as far ranging as comprehensive, neighborhood and environmental planning, urban design, waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency and solar technologies. This innovative, interdisciplinary approach strengthens Portland's position as an international model of sustainable development practices and commerce. www.portlandonline.com/bps

# # #

DOE Releases Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments - Second Edition

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Energy developed Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments - Second Edition to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. This second edition of the guide was updated to include new market developments and innovations for advancing local solar markets that have emerged since the first edition was released in 2009. January 2011.

A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Nonprofit Project Development

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Non-profit Project Development is designed by the U.S. DOE to be used as a resource for those who want to develop community solar projects, from community organizers or solar energy advocates to government officials or utility managers. By exploring the range of incentives and policies while providing examples of operational community solar projects, this guide will help communities to plan and implement successful local energy projects. In addition, by highlighting some of the policy best practices, this guide suggests changes in the regulatory landscape that could significantly boost community solar installations across the country.

The Breakthrough Behind a 300% Increase in Photosynthesis Productivity

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A story about a recent breakthrough that will triple the productivity of photosynthesis in plants and algae to generate clean, renewable fuels, is currently posted on the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Blog. The blog entry was added by Fuel Cell Technologies Program Manager Sunita Satyapal.

For more information about the breakthrough, read the Breakthrough Behind a 300% Increase in Photosynthesis Productivity blog entry. You can also sign up for the Energy Blog RSS feed to receive regular updates.

Stop & Shop Steps Up Innovation with Fuel Cell

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced today a significant step in retail store innovation: a special dedication of a 400 kilowatt fuel cell ' a first for the supermarket chain ' at its store on Torringford Street in East Torrington, Conn.

The fuel cell, a UTC Power PureCell^® System Model 400, was supported with a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program and is the first fuel cell utilized by the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company. It is expected to generate over 90% of the store's electric energy.

"In our commitment to be a sustainable company, we continually look for new innovations and technologies that help us build more energy efficient stores," said Jihad Rizkallah, vice president of store planning for Stop & Shop. "The fuel cell technology is the latest step we've taken to ensure we're doing everything we can to lower our impact to the environment in each community we serve."

Since the fuel cell was commissioned in June of last year, it has produced over 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, accounting for 95% of the store's total electric energy requirements. This, coupled with the use of the thermal energy produced by the fuel cell, has reduced the total electric and natural gas utility bills for the store by roughly 50%.

By generating most of its power on site, Stop & Shop is able to reduce the burden on the local power grid and its impact on the environment. The fuel cell operates without fossil fuel combustion which in turn makes electricity production virtually pollution-free. Highlights:

Stop & Shop anticipates it will prevent the release of more than 523 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually ' the equivalent of planting more than 120 acres of trees.
The annual nitrogen oxide emissions reduction will be equivalent to removing 88 cars from roadways.
Designed to operate in water-balance, with no consumption or discharge of water under normal operations, the fuel cell at the Torrington Stop & Shop store will save 3.5 million gallons of water compared to central utility generated electricity.

'Stop & Shop did an outstanding job integrating this fuel cell into its new, energy-efficient supermarket in Torrington and maximizing the energy attributes of the fuel cell,' said Dale Hedman, acting president of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. 'The store will not only benefit from electricity produced by the fuel cell but will also benefit from the fuel cell's waste heat, which will be used for heating, cooling and refrigeration.'

The fuel cell at Stop & Shop in Torrington, Conn., joins a growing fleet of UTC Power's PureCell^® System Model 400 units. In 2010, UTC Power installed dozens of its stationary fuel cells at locations in California, Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin and South Korea. As UTC Power continues to expand its portfolio of fuel cell partners and implementations, the company recently completed a major upgrade to its production facility in South Windsor, Conn., to accommodate an increase in orders from customers.

November 2001 ' Stop & Shop opens first energy efficient store in Foxboro, Mass., also known as the Low Energy Super Store, or LESS.
August 2007 ' Stop & Shop opens first Energy Star^® store in Southbury, Conn., which utilizes approximately 35 percent less energy than average buildings.
December 2008 ' Stop & Shop installs first photovoltaic (solar panels) system at its Fairfield, Conn., store. The system generates around 8% of the store's electricity needs.
2009 ' Stop & Shop has over 50 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified stores. In the future, all new stores will be designed and built to meet the LEED NC (new construction) design and construction standards for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. Energy saving features include:
- White roof to reflect the sunlight and reduce the heat gains in the store, requiring less energy for space cooling in the summertime
- Skylights to harvest daylight to reduce the electricity consumption during peak daylight hours
- LED lighting in many areas of the store, including overhead track lights, spotlights on specialty areas & displays, exterior store signs and in the frozen food cases
May 2010 ' Stop & Shop installs photovoltaic systems in 3 stores in Dedham, Dorchester, and Somerville, Mass. Following in July 2010, the company completes the installation of additional photovoltaic systems in 4 stores in Aberdeen, Franklin Park, Somerset, and Whiting, New Jersey. These systems generate around 8% of stores' electricity needs.
June 2010 ' Through support of a grant from Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program, Stop & Shop installs a UTC Power PureCell^® System Model 400 in its second Torrington, Conn., store. The fuel cell ' a first of its kind for the company ' is expected to generate over 90 percent of the store's energy.
December 2010 ' Stop & Shop opens second store in West Hartford, Conn., that includes refrigeration systems which utilize a natural refrigerant to help reduce the store's carbon footprint by an equivalent of 500 tons of CO₂ per year. The West Hartford Stop & Shop is the first supermarket in the state of Connecticut operating with this technology.

About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company employs nearly 62,000 associates and operates more than 390 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer, and promotes general health and wellness ' with emphasis on children's educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA's Smart Way program; has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores; and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit http://www.stopandshop.com/.

About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF's mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut's ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut's economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

About UTC Power
UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, is a world leader in developing and producing fuel cells that generate energy for buildings and for transportation, space and defense applications. The company, with more than 50 years of experience, is based in South Windsor, Conn. UTC Power is the only fuel cell company in the world to have worked with all five major fuel cell technologies and to produce fuel cells for both stationary and transportation applications. For more information, please visit www.utcpower.com.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Portable Light Tower Lights Up the Golden Globe Awards

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered mobile light tower lit up the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 16th. The Multiquip portable light tower, developed in collaboration with Altergy Systems, integrates clean, reliable backup fuel cell power technology with filament-free, efficient plasma light technology. The DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Program and Sandia National Laboratories are key stakeholders supporting the development and commercialization of this product.

Designed to be an environmentally friendly and quiet alternative to noisy diesel generators, these portable light towers can be used in the entertainment industry, highway construction sites, and airports. The system is scheduled for use at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, GRAMMY Awards, and the Academy Awards as well as upcoming NASA space shuttle launches.

2010 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Global Commercialization Development Update Report Released

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Program, recently released the 2010 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Global Commercialization Development Update report. This document outlines the role hydrogen and fuel cells can play in a portfolio of technology options available to address the energy-related challenges faced by nations around the world. It offers examples of real-world hydrogen and fuel cell applications and the progress of the technologies, including government policies that increase technology development and commercialization.

The members of IPHE have been coordinating activities since 2003 to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies into the global economy. Four priority focus areas of the IPHE are: 1) accelerating the market penetration and early adoption of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their supporting infrastructure; 2) policy and regulatory actions to support widespread deployment; 3) raising the profile with policy-makers and the public; and 4) monitoring hydrogen, fuel cell and complementary technology developments.

CESA Executive Director Mark Sinclair Interviewed on New Hampshire Public Radio about NH RPS

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

CESA Executive Director Mark Sinclair was featured on New Hampshire Public Radio, where he discussed ways that New Hampshire can inprove its renewable energy standards law, passed in 2008.

'I think the one area where NH could be more bold on is requiring more local generation and thermal generation, using your resources for heat generation, not just electricity.'

Listen to the full story here.

CCAT to Support the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry Through a Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) of East Hartford, CT, today announced the receipt of a grant from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand a growing hydrogen and fuel cell regional cluster centered in the northeast United States. This energy technology cluster is currently driven by a global market and is poised for growth as a US based industry to meet worldwide demand for clean and efficient electric generation.

"Maximizing a region's economic assets is one of the best ways to create long term job growth, and that's what SBA's new Innovative Economies pilot initiative is doing," Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the SBA, said. "Today we are announcing funding support for 10 regional economic clusters. SBA's support will help expand the opportunities and the role small businesses play in these regional collaborations, which are enhancing the ability to create jobs locally and compete on a national and global scale. I'm thrilled to announce the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology's participation. They're creating jobs in the community and making the region an industry leader."

CCAT will work with its partners in New England and New York to undertake activities and provide services to support job growth and enhance the competitiveness of the region's hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain. The Project Team includes CCAT, the Hydrogen Energy Center, the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, Clean Energy States Alliance, and the New York Fuel Cell Network.

"This program will significantly enhance the economic growth and job creation for the region by building on the capacity of the diverse supply chain of over 170 companies and organizations in the New England / New York region that support the hydrogen and fuel cell industry," said Elliot Ginsberg, President and CEO of CCAT.

CCAT and the Project Team will seek to support the collective industry through a public-private partnership for business development, workforce training, establishment of strategic market development activities, and increased deployment of fuel cell generation facilities. These activities will lead to increased US based market share and productivity, economic development, and job creation.

"Assistance to expand this technology cluster will lead to lower energy costs, improved environmental performance, and an increase in U.S. based jobs", Joel Rinebold, Director of Energy Programs at CCAT and Chair of the Coalition, said. "This is a great opportunity to invest in an emerging technology made in the region that will serve an expanding global market."

CCAT is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a unique economic development center of excellence for the region, state and nation. CCAT offers a wide range of services to a diverse base of customers that spans manufacturers, high technology firms, small businesses and entrepreneurs, educators and public policy makers. The Energy Program at CCAT administers the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, which is comprised of representatives from the fuel cell and hydrogen industry, labor, academia, government, and other stakeholders. The Coalition works to advance the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technology and associated fueling systems in Connecticut and abroad.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

ABOUT CCAT

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. is a non-stock, tax exempt corporation that provides services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses, and through collaboration with industry, academia, and government, helps companies innovate and compete, thereby strengthening our nation in the global market

Interior and FERC Announce Agreement on Offshore Renewable Energy Development

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In a joint statement issued today Secretary of the Interior (DOI), Ken Salazar and Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Jon Wellinghoff announced that the two agencies have confirmed their intent to work together to facilitate the permitting of renewable energy in offshore waters.

'Our renewable energy is too important for bureaucratic turf battles to slow down our progress. I am proud that we have reached an agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding our respective roles in approving offshore renewable energy projects. This agreement will help sweep aside red tape so that our country can capture the great power of wave, tidal, wind and solar power off our coasts,' Secretary Salazar said.

'FERC is pleased to be working with the Department of the Interior and Secretary Salazar on a procedure that will help get renewable energy projects off the drawing board and onto the Outer Continental Shelf,' Acting FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said.

Below is the joint Statement between DOI and FERC signed by Secretary Salazar and Acting Chairman Wellinghoff:

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

The United States has significant renewable energy resources in offshore waters, including wind energy, solar energy, and wave and ocean current energy.

Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Minerals Management Service, has the authority to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way on the outer continental shelf for the development of oil and gas resources. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to provide the Interior Department with parallel permitting authority with regard to the production, transportation, or transmission of energy from additional sources of energy on the outer continental shelf, including renewable energy sources.

The Interior Department's responsibility for the permitting and development of renewable energy resources on the outer continental shelf is broad. In particular, the Department of the Interior has permitting and development authority over wind power projects that use offshore resources beyond state waters.

Interior's authority does not diminish existing responsibilities that other agencies have with regard to the outer continental shelf. In that regard, under the Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the statutory responsibility to oversee the development of hydropower resources in navigable waters of the United States. 'Hydrokinetic' power potentially can be developed offshore through new technologies that seek to convert wave, tidal and ocean current energy to electricity. FERC will have the primary responsibility to manage the licensing of such projects in offshore waters pursuant to the Federal Power Act, using procedures developed for hydropower licenses, and with the active involvement of relevant federal land and resource agencies, including the Department of the Interior.

We have requested our staffs to prepare a short Memorandum of Understanding that sets forth these principles, and which describes the process by which permits and licenses related to renewable energy resources in offshore waters will be developed.

/s/ Secretary of the Interior
Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

OREC Releases Overview of Tax Benefits for MHK Industry

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC) has prepared an overview of tax benefits for the MHK industry here. As the spreadsheet shows, MHK receives more benefits than it did five years ago, but at the same time, it lacks parity with other renewables: MHK projects do not qualify for 5 year MACRS, and are only eligible for half of the PTC available to other renewables. OREC continues to work to achieve parity.

New LBNL report profiles innovation in "community wind" project finance

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The 'community wind' sector in the United States ' loosely defined here as consisting of relatively small utility-scale wind power projects that sell power on the wholesale market and that are developed and owned primarily by local investors ' has historically served as a 'test bed' or 'proving grounds' not only for up-and-coming wind turbine manufacturers trying to break into the broader U.S. wind market, but also for wind project financing structures. For example, a variation of one of the most common financing arrangements in the U.S. wind market today ' the 'partnership flip' structure ' was first developed by community wind projects in Minnesota more than a decade ago before being adapted by the broader wind

More recently, a handful of community wind projects built over the past year have been financed via new and creative structures that push the envelope of wind project finance in the U.S. These

1) a 4.5 MW project in Maine that combines low-cost government debt with local tax equity,

2) a 25.3 MW project in Minnesota using a sale/leaseback structure,

3) a 10.5 MW project in South Dakota financed by an intrastate offering of both debt and equity,

4) a 6 MW project in Washington state that taps into New Markets Tax Credits using an 'inverted' or 'pass-through' lease structure, and

5) a 9 MW project in Oregon that combines a variety of state and federal incentives and loans with unconventional equity from high-net-worth

In most cases, these are first-of-their-kind structures that could serve as useful examples for other projects ' both community and commercial wind

I am pleased to announce the release of a new Berkeley Lab report that describes each of these innovative new financing structures in some detail, using a case-study approach. The purpose of this report is two-fold: (1) to disseminate useful information on these new financial structures, most of which are widely replicable; and (2) to highlight the recent policy changes ' many of them temporary unless extended ' that have facilitated this

The report begins by briefly summarizing how most community wind projects in the U.S. have been financed historically (i.e., prior to this latest wave of innovation). It then describes the recent federal policy changes, including several implemented as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that have enabled a new wave of financial innovation to occur. Brief case studies of each of the five projects mentioned above follow, describing how each project was financed and noting the financial significance of each. Finally, the report concludes by distilling a number of general observations or pertinent lessons learned from the experiences of these five

The full 28-page report, titled 'Community Wind: Once Again Pushing the Envelope of Project Finance,' can be downloaded at no charge from http://eetd.lbl.gov/EA/EMP/re-pubs.

A PowerPoint slide summary of the report can also be downloaded from the same web site.

Patrick-Murray Administration Celebrates New Wind Measurement Manufacturing Facility and Development of Wind Energy Data Partnership

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles today visited wind measurement company Second Wind to celebrate the company's new manufacturing facility in Newton. Secretary Bowles also announced a partnership between Somerville-based Second Wind, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Arlington-based WindPole Ventures to construct a wind measurement information network that will aggregate real-time, hub height standardized wind speed data, which will be used for future real-time forecasting and assure that Massachusetts' wind farms operate more efficiently.

'This strategic investment in the Commonwealth's wind information infrastructure will help make wind power generation more efficient and cost-effective, and help us further Governor Patrick's goals of installing 2,000 MW of wind energy by 2020,' said Secretary Bowles, who chairs the MassCEC board. 'Second Wind and WindPole are examples of emerging leaders in Massachusetts' wind energy cluster who are creating clean energy jobs and helping lead our clean energy future.'

Secretary Bowles announced that Second Wind, WindPole Ventures, and MassCEC will partner to deploy a regional network of technology to gather wind resource information, which will provide high quality data to help the state make the most of its wind resource. Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to deploy this type of regional network.

Second Wind, WindPole and MassCEC will construct a pilot wind measurement network in southeastern Massachusetts that will consist of seven to ten sites in which wind data will be collected on the ground with Second Wind's Triton Sonic Wind Profiler technology or via hub-height-tower based collection methods provided by WindPole. The wind data collection will serve a variety of wind project development needs, and will strengthen Massachusetts's position as a wind energy leader.

In announcing this unique partnership, Secretary Bowles joined Second Wind executives to announce the opening a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newton, where Massachusetts-based workers will manufacture the Triton Sonic Wind Profiler, the global wind power industry's market-leading remote sensing system, and export it to more than 50 countries around the world, including China. In 2008, Second Wind received a $500,000 loan from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to help develop the Triton. Today, the company employs three times as many as it did in 2008, and expects that the new manufacturing facility will add 115 jobs by 2014.

WindPole Ventures provides 'data as a service' from its network of more than 12,000 hub height towers to top U.S. wind developers and a regional ISO with a high penetration of wind. In December 2008, WindPole raised its first round of capital with support from MassCEC.

'Second Wind has made Massachusetts its home for 30 years. All the ingredients are here for Massachusetts to lead the nation as a wind energy center of excellence,' said Larry Letteney, CEO of Second Wind. 'Despite the economic downturn, wind energy is experiencing global growth. We are especially gratified that our technology, which has been encouraged by our state government, can now play such a vital role in making this vision a reality.'

'In the 1980s, government support and private investment made the Commonwealth a powerhouse in the telecommunications and data sectors and later Internet and Web services. Under Governor Patrick's leadership, I believe the Commonwealth is taking the same steps that will lead to a concentration of jobs in the wind power sector,' said Steve Kropper, CEO of WindPole Ventures. 'Massachusetts is laying the groundwork for value added jobs in wind information services. WindPole believes that information on wind is more profitable than wind power and we are committed to providing hub height, bankable data that will accelerate the wind power sector nationally.'

Wind power in Massachusetts has increased tenfold under Governor Patrick, from 3.1 MW in 2007 to over 30 MW by the end of this year. In addition, the Patrick-Murray administration landed a $25 million federal stimulus grant to construct a Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) in Charlestown. Now under construction, the WTTC will test the next generation of wind turbine blades - further boosting Massachusetts's place as a leader in the industry. Wind energy companies that have already chosen to locate here include Siemens, FloDesign, American Superconductor, TPI Composites and Vestas Power Systems, and developers and installers such as First Wind and Solaya

About WindPole Ventures, LLC

WindPole provides real-time, hub height wind resource data from a portfolio of almost 12,000 very tall towers in 39 states. WindPole Ventures, LLC is based in Arlington, MA. www.windpole.

About Second Wind

Second Wind develops wind measurement systems that make wind power pay off for consumers, investors and the environment. The company's technology provides wind farm developers with the bankable wind data they need to plan, finance and operate highly efficient wind generation facilities. Second Wind's systems are making wind farm development profitable in 50 countries on seven continents. Second Wind's systems include Triton, the wind industry's leading remote sensing system, Nomad 2 wind data logger systems, the ProMast 60, a 60-meter meteorological mast and the SkyServe® web-based data service. For more information about Boston-based Second Wind, please visit www.secondwind.com.

Created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008, MassCEC's mission is to foster growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through funding to companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations; job training programs; and workforce development grants. MassCEC is also home to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, which supports the installation of renewable energy technologies with funds provided by small renewable energy charges on electric bills. More information is available at www.MassCEC.com

Big Challenges Remain for U.S. Offshore Wind

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. could see as many as 10 GW of offshore wind capacity installed by 2020. But it won't be easy, say industry experts.

"There are some 5 GW in planning right now, but who knows how much of this can be realized," says Dirk Matthys, the North American chief executive of Spanish turbine maker Gamesa. He says that growth will hinge on how fast the government can streamline a new program to approve projects.

Other hurdles such as local opposition and the need for a new transmission network could also hinder progress, says Matthys.

Nevertheless, he believes it is possible to develop 5-10 GW in the U.S. within the next decade.

Washington's incentive programs must also be increased for longer-term planning, observers add.

"There is a big lack of long-term incentives which you need for project planning purposes," says Mark Rodgers, communications director at Cape Wind, the company trying to develop the country's first offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts.

According to Rodgers, the government has a project loan program and tax credit scheme in place for this year. But it's uncertain if these programs will be extended into 2012 and beyond.

Cape Wind, which has secured power purchase agreements for the first half of the facility's future output, hopes to begin building the 130 turbine wind farm late this year. However, the developer is still trying to find another buyer for the other half of the power.

Continued here.....

Department of Energy Offers Conditional Commitment for a Loan Guarantee to Support Maine Wind Project

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the offer of a conditional commitment to Record Hill Wind LLC for a $102 million loan guarantee.

The loan guarantee will support the Record Hill wind project, which includes a 50.6 megawatt wind power plant and an eight mile transmission line and associated interconnection equipment near the town of Roxbury, Maine. Developed and managed by Wagner Wind Energy of New Hampshire and Independence Wind of Maine, Record Hill is sponsored by the Yale University Endowment fund. In addition to providing clean, renewable power to New England's grid, the sponsor expects the project to create 200 construction jobs in Maine.

"Today's announcement is good for this country's clean energy future, and it's good for the people of Maine who will benefit from the jobs generated by this project," said Secretary Chu. "Record Hill introduces an innovative technology to the U.S. that will boost domestic wind generation and help us reach President Obama's goal of doubling clean energy produced in America by 2035."

Full story available here....

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs AB 2514 Into Law

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The nation's first energy storage bill was signed into law the afternoon of Thursday, September 29, 2010 by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Bill, AB 2514, puts a timetable in place for the integration of energy storage technologies and is seem as an important first step towards increasing the efficiency of the electric grid.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown issued a press release hailing the potential of 2514's implementation. The passage of AB 2514 was supported by ESA members CALMAC and Ice Energy in addition to the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA).

U.S. Solar Doubled in 2010, May Add 2 Gigawatts to Double Again

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

By Ehren Goossens, Bloomberg
The amount of new solar energy capacity in the U.S. doubled last year and may double again in 2011 because of government incentives, stronger demand and falling prices, a trade group said.

The total capacity of photovoltaic and solar thermal power systems that were installed last year reached 956 megawatts, compared with 441 megawatts added in 2009, according to a report released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Installed capacity of residential, commercial and utility- scale plants may increase by as much as 2 gigawatts this year, according to GTM Research, which worked with Washington-based SEIA to produce the report.

'Another doubling of U.S. installations in 2011 is likely, even in the absence of a substantial mid-year price decline,' Shayle Kann, GTM Research's managing director of solar research, said in an interview.

In total, 878 megawatts of photovoltaic systems and 78 megawatts of solar thermal power projects were installed in 2010, according to the report. The cost was $6 billion, up 67 percent from 2009.

The cumulative total of 2.6 gigawatts of installed capacity can power more than 500,000 households, the report said.

Largest Market

First Solar Inc. (FSLR), the world's largest maker of thin-film solar modules, expects the U.S. to be its largest market this year, and has 2,400 megawatts of North American projects in its development pipeline, Alan Bernheimer, a spokesman for the Tempe, Arizona-based company, said in an e-mail.

A U.S. Treasury grant program, which reimburses 30 percent of the costs of installing solar systems, helped drive up the number of projects, the report said. The installed price of photovoltaic systems fell by 10 percent for commercial and 8 percent for residential installations last year.

Other countries are cutting their subsidies for solar systems this year, potentially leading to an oversupply of panels and further price cuts.

'There is a strange effect where the worse things get in Germany and Italy, the more suppliers are going to price more competitively in new markets, like the U.S., ultimately growing the market,' Kann said.

California had 259 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity installed in 2010, more than all other states. New Jersey followed with 137 megawatts, more than doubling from 57 megawatts in 2009 and the highest growth rate.

SEIA represents about 1,000 companies involved in the solar energy industry, including installers, manufacturers, developers, financial companies and others, SEIA's assistant manager of communications Jared Blanton said in an e-mail.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ehren Goossens in New York at egoossens1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net

EESI Fuel Cell Briefing on Capitol Hill

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On February 16^th, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute help a briefing on Capitol Hill on Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Development. It may be useful for you to see the information and ideas that federal policymakers heard. Representative Charlie Dent (R-PA) kicked off the session and Ruth Cox (President and Executive Director, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association) served as moderator. There were four speakers, who discussed the state of the fuel cell industry and trends related to hydrogen energy development. They primarily focused on transportation applications, with an emphasis on California perspectives. The speakers were Tim Brown (Technical Manager, National Fuel Cell Research Center), Tom Cackette (Chief Deputy Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board), Catherine Dunwoody (Executive Director, California Fuel Cell Partnership), and Anthony Eggert (Member, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Energy; former Commissioner, California Energy Commission). You can access their presentations and a session summary at http://www.eesi.org/fuel-cell-and-hydrogen-energy-development-16-feb-2011.

Renewable Energy Standards -- California and Congress Moving in Different Directions

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

By Dustin Till, Marten Law
California and Congress seem to be headed in opposite directions on climate policy this year. California has expanded its renewable portfolio standard (RPS), meaning public and private utilities must now acquire up to a third of their energy from renewable energy sources. Congress, meanwhile, has been backing away from climate change regulation, including a federal clean energy standard (CES) that, until recently, was considered relatively non-controversial.

I. Background on CES

Alternative energy standards -- variously called CESs and RPSs -- are requirements that utilities acquire a certain percentage of the electricity from renewable resources. These type of regulations define the types of power generation that qualify as 'renewable' or 'clean,' and generally allow regulated utilities to purchase electricity from any qualifying renewable resource based on the characteristics the utility values most (e.g. price, quantity, duration, intermittency, reliability, etc.).[1] Many jurisdictions also allow regulated utilities to trade renewable energy certificates (RECs) (i.e. a credit issued for each megawatt [MW] of renewable energy generated) to further increase compliance flexibility. Some jurisdictions such as California allow compliance for a portion of the RPS requirements through the use of tradable RECs (TRECs), which are RECS that can be traded separate and apart from the energy associated with their creation. TRECs allow utilities in one state to take credit for renewable energy developed in another state without having to take delivery of the physical power.

At least thirty states have adopted mandatory RPSs, and another seven states have adopted non-mandatory RPS goals.[2] The types of generating technologies that qualify as 'renewable' vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, most states classify wind, solar, landfill gas, biofuels and biomass as 'renewable' sources, while other states have broader standards that classify advanced nuclear and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as 'clean.'[3] While most RPSs are neutral as to which qualifying resource is used for compliance, some states have enacted 'carve outs' that require that a certain percentage of the RPS is met via specific technologies, or 'multipliers' that incentivize particular technologies by awarding more than one REC per MW purchased.

II. The California RPS

The Scoping Plan for implementing the greenhouse gas emission reductions called for in California's greenhouse gas legislation (Assembly Bill 32) calls for a 33% mix of renewable resources.[4] Given the size of California's energy market, the structure of its RPS program has consequences for participants in renewable energy markets throughout the western U.S.

California has two RPS standards -- one legislative and one regulatory. In 2002, California passed Senate Bill 1078, which established a 20% by 2017 RPS for the state's investor-owned utilities (IOUs). In 2005, Senate Bill 107 accelerated the RPS to 20% by 2010. According to the California Public Utilities Commission, California's three largest IOUs[5] collectively served 18 percent of their 2010 retail electricity sales with renewable resources.

In 2009, the California legislature passed two bills (Senate Bill 14 and Assembly Bill 64) that would have increased the state's RPS to 33 percent. Governor Schwarzenegger, however, announced he would veto the bills over concerns about restricting the eligibility of out-of-state renewable energy resources through TRECs. Governor Schwarzenegger subsequently issued Executive Order No. S-21-09 which increased the RPS to 33 percent by 2020. The executive order also expanded the scope of the RPS to include customer-owned utilities (COUs) and cooperatives (in addition to IOUs). In September 2010, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued new regulations to implement the 33% by 2020 RPS.

Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) lifted its moratorium on the use of TRECs by IOUs to satisfy requirements pursuant to the legislative 20 percent RPS.[6] In March 2010, CPUC authorized the use of TRECs for compliance with the RPS. That decision allowed utilities to obtain TRECs from out-of-state generators in order to satisfy a portion of their compliance obligations. CPUC subsequently placed a moratorium on the use of TRECs. In CPUC's final ruling, utilities can obtain TRECs to satisfy up to 25 percent of their RPS compliance obligations, subject to a $50/REC price cap. The provisions will expire at the end of 2013, when the CPUC 'will consider modifying or removing those limitations all together.'

There is talk that the 25 percent limit on out-of-state TRECs could stifle renewable energy development in Oregon and Washington. Some experts have observed that the 25 percent limit on out-of-state TRECs is already fully subscribed, meaning that there is no additional market for RECs generated outside of California.[7]

There is, however, proposed legislation in California that would expand the market for out-of-state TRECs. On February 25, 2011, the California Senate passed legislation paralleling (and expressly superseding) CARB's RPS rules. Senate Bill 2X would increase the statutory RPS to 33 percent and would expand the program to include COUs. The bill would also set a 25 percent limit on the use of out-of-state TRECs. By increasing the statutory RPS, and expanding it to include California's many large COUs, the proposed legislation would have the effect of significantly increasing demand for out-of-state TRECs.

III. The Federal RPS Debate

Over the past decade, over twenty-five proposals for a federal RPS have been introduced in Congress, but none have passed both chambers.[8] Most recently, federal RPS provisions have been included in greenhouse gas cap-and-trade legislation, and efforts were made to include a federal RPS in legislation addressing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. President Obama proposed a broad CES in his 2011 State of the Union address. However, it seems unlikely there will be sufficient bipartisan support for CES in Congress. Indeed, the House has been voting to rollback EPA's greenhouse gas regulations and to defund clean energy development programs. Moreover, the recent nuclear power plant trouble in Japan has cast significant doubt on the future of any energy standard that includes nuclear generation.

A. Renewable and Clean Energy Proposals in the 111th Congress

The 111th Congress saw numerous bills with RPS or similar provisions. On June 26, 2009, the House narrowly passed HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). ACES would have established an economy-wide cap-and-trade program intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, as compared to 2005 levels.[9] ACES would also have established a federal RPS, requiring that six percent of electric power come from renewable resources by 2012, and twenty percent by 2020. Eligible renewable resources included in the ACES standard were solar, wind, geothermal, qualified hydropower, marine and hydrokinetic, biomass, and landfill gas. A portion of each utility's compliance obligation could have been met with qualifying energy efficiency measures.

ACES would not have preempted state-level RPS requirements; instead, regulated utilities would have received federal credits in an amount equal to the state credits they were already earning. While ACES was never introduced in the Senate, Senators Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) were slated to propose cap-and-trade legislation with RPS provisions similar to ACES. That legislation, however, was never formally introduced. A subsequent cap-and-trade proposal introduced by Senators Kerry and Lieberman did not include an RPS standard.[10]

Other legislation considered in the Senate included S. 1462 -- the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA) -- which was passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on June 17, 2009. The RPS provisions in ACELA were similar (yet less stringent) than ACES, requiring regulated utilities to obtain 12 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2020. Introduced by Senator Lugar (R-In.), the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act (PECPA) (S. 3464) would have established a diversified energy standard (DES) that included traditional renewable resources such as wind, incremental hydroelectric, and solar, while also including clean coal technology (i.e. coal combustion coupled with CCS technology) and new nuclear facilities.

Renewable energy advocates saw the legislative response to the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil spill as a vehicle for establishing a federal RPS.[11] On July 30, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act (H.R. 3534), that would add restrictions on offshore oil drilling and beef up response, safety and liability provisions in current law. A companion bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 (S. 3663), was introduced in the Senate. Neither bill, however, included a renewable energy standard.

B. President Obama's Proposed CES and Proposals in the 112th Congress

During his January 25, 2011, State of the Union address, President Obama proposed a goal of generating 80 percent of the nation's electricity from clean sources by 2035.[12] President Obama's proposed CES would include a broad range of sources, including nuclear power, coal-fired generation with CCS, and high-efficiency natural gas. President Obama has also proposed that any CES should include consumer price protections, as well as measures to ensure fairness for regions with limited (or late deployed) renewable resources. The President also proposed creating incentives for new clean energy technologies such as CCS.

CES legislation has not been introduced this year, although it has been reported that Senator Lugar is preparing comprehensive energy legislation that will include a CES similar to the one advanced by President Obama.[13] Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-Nv.) has indicated that two members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senators Murkowski (R-Ak.) and Bingaman (D-N.M.), are drafting energy legislation that would include a CES standard.[14]

For more information on RPS standards and climate change generally, please contact Dustin Till or any member of Marten Law's Climate Change or Energy practice groups.

[1] Lincoln L. Davis, Power Forward: The Argument for a National RPS, 42 Conn. L. Rev. 1339, 1357 (2010).

[2] Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) -- RPS Data Spreadsheet (Jan. 2011). A number of municipalities have adopted RPSs. For example, in 2004, the city of Columbia, Missouri adopted a RPS requiring the city's primary utility to acquire 15% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2022. See DSIRE, Columbia -- Renewable Portfolio Standard. Austin, Texas, has adopted a 30% (835 MW) by 2020 RPS. DSIRE, Austin -- Renewable Portfolio Standard. At least two utilities have voluntarily adopted RPS goals: the Long Island Power Authority (New York, NY) -- 30% by 2015, and the CPS Energy (San Antonio, TX) -- 20% by 2020. DSIRE, Long Island Power Authority -- Renewable Electricity Goal and DSIRE, CPS Energy -- Renewable Portfolio Goal.

[3] For a summary of the resources qualifying as 'renewable' under various state RPS, please see PEW Center for Climate Change, Comparison of Qualifying Resources for Individual States' RPS and AEPS.

[4] For more information on AB-32, please see One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: California Moves Toward Finalizing Climate Regulations, While Federal Action Stalls, Marten Law Environmental News (July 9, 2008).

[5] Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.

[6] CPUC Decision No. 11-01-025 (Jan. 14, 2011).

[7] Lee van der Voo, California Rule May Stunt Oregon Clean Energy Market, Sustainable Business Oregon (Jan. 20, 2011).

[8] Davies, Power Forward: the Argument for a National RPS, 42 Conn. L. Rev. at 1341.

[9] For a detailed summary of ACES, please see 111th Congress, Day 171: Following Heavy Presidential Lobbying, House Passes Energy and Climate Change Bill; All Eyes Now on the Senate, Marten Law Environmental News (June 29, 2009).

[10] See Senate Climate Bill Introduced Amid Considerable Fanfare, and an Uncertain Future, Marten Law Environmental News (May 14, 2010).

[11] Katie Howell and Robin Bravender, House, Senate Democrats Race to Complete Oil Spill and Energy Packages Before Recess, Greenwire/New York Times (July 28, 2010).

[12] White House, President Obama's Plan to Win the Future by Producing More Electricity Through Clean Energy.

[13] Katie Howell and Jean Chemnick, Sen. Lugar Prepping Bill That Could Include 'Clean Energy' Standard, Greenwire/New York Times (Feb. 11, 2011).

[14] Katie Howell, Reid Confident Bingaman, Murkowski Can Draft CES, E&E News PM (Feb. 16, 2011) (subscription required).

From: http://www.martenlaw.com/newsletter/20110317-calif-renewable-energy-standards

UK Minister for Climate Change Sets Out Government Support for Marine Energy

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Speaking today at the RukWave and Tidal conference in London, Greg Barker, the minister for Climate Change, gave some insights into the future level of government support for the nascent UK marine power industry.

He assured delegates that 'the Coalition is absolutely committed to harnessing the complete range of benefits which a successful marine renewables industry can bring to the UK -- the development of the sector is explicitly written into the fabric of the Coalition Agreement.'

Mr Barker went on to say that: 'We are already consulting on whether to offer generators a choice of ROCs or a new Feed-in-Tariff mechanism between introduction of the Electricity Markets Review legislation in 2013 or 14 and 2017. This will give marine generators access to this new form of FITs from the start, providing added certainty and a more stable revenue stream.'

He explained that 'It will take a little while before the new FITs are in place and the marine sector needs confidence that appropriate support will be in place before that to ensure that longer-term investments are made. Clearly the longer-term future of the sector is tied up with the new FITs. But we will address this immediate issue through the review of the current Renewables Obligation. We have already significantly speeded-up the RO review which is looking at ROC levels out to 2017. This means investors will have certainty over support a full year earlier than previously planned -- with a Government response this Autumn and legislation in place from April 2012. The evidence obtained from across the marine industry will feed into the decisions made on changes to the ROC levels and will help us to make informed decisions about the rates of support.

Speaking further on the issue of support for the marine sector, the minister explained that 'Before deciding what support we will provide to marine and to other important technologies I want to be sure we understand what the innovation needs truly are and how the government and the private sector can best act together to address them.

'With the Minister of State for Universities and Science I co-chair the Low Carbon Innovation Group that brings together the key government bodies supporting low carbon innovation so we can ensure they are acting in concert. That group has been developing Technology Innovation Needs Assessments -- 'TINAs' -- pooling their knowledge and developing a shared analysis of the innovation needs of a range of key low carbon technology families -- such as Off-shore wind, Marine energy and Bio-energy. This will give us an indication of where the market failures are. I am hoping that the Marine Energy Programme working group on finance will be able to participate in the stakeholder workshop on the marine TINA.'

'Over the next few months my officials will be inviting a range of stakeholders to contribute to that analysis so we can ensure it's a strong basis for decisions. My colleagues and I will weigh that evidence when deciding what support we can provide to which technologies. Decisions will be made in light of the outcome of that work. I expect to be saying more in a few months time.'

From: http://www.ifandp.com/article/0010174.html

CCEF Launches New Program - offers financing for development of emerging clean energy technologies

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) today announced that it has launched its newest initiative, the Alpha Program, which funds development and testing of emerging clean energy technologies to establish their technical viability and commercial potential. Successful commercialization of such technologies will help create jobs and grow Connecticut’s clean energy industry, as well as reduce clean energy costs, enhance energy security and ensure a healthier environment.

“Connecticut has a proud legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship and that legacy is now expanding into the realm of clean energy and sustainability clusters,” said Daniel C. Esty, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. “With Connecticut’s industrial infrastructure and pool of world-class talent and research institutions, we are well positioned to become a global leader in clean energy innovation, from assisting with technology feasibility to providing access to early-stage capital. CCEF’s Alpha Program is designed to leverage these assets and help accelerate emerging technology development and commercialization, the future engine of Connecticut’s clean energy industry.”

Connecticut companies undertaking early-stage clean energy technology development are encouraged to apply to the Alpha Program for funding of up to $200,000 per project. The funding is provided in two phases: Phase 1, which offers grants of up to $50,000 for Engineering Design and Development, and Phase 2, which offers loans of up to $150,000 for Prototype Construction and Testing. Applications will be reviewed and funded twice a year through a competitive judging and selection process. Applications for the first round of funding under the Alpha Program are due June 15, 2011.

Eligible projects can be full systems, system components or manufacturing innovations in technology areas including:

Electricity generation from renewable energy sources and waste energy recovery.
Geothermal and solar thermal for heating and cooling.
Combined heat and power.
Advanced energy efficiency.
Energy management for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Electric grid infrastructure improvements including energy storage.
Fuel cells, hydrogen production and biofuel production for stationary electricity generation.

The Alpha Program is one of three early-stage technology investment programs offered by CCEF and Connecticut Innovations to help advance the development and commercialization of emerging clean energy technologies in Connecticut. Successful Alpha Program participants will be encouraged to apply to the other two programs: the Operational Demonstration Program and the Connecticut Clean Tech Fund.

Peter Longo, president and executive director of Connecticut Innovations, said, “The Alpha Program offers our state’s innovators an outstanding ‘first step’ resource to help them turn cutting-edge ideas into prototypes. By supporting technology commercialization along a continuum of technology readiness levels, CCEF and CI are helping usher exciting new clean energy technologies into the marketplace. This, in turn, will enable our businesses, institutions and residents to benefit from a broader array of clean energy solutions and move toward greater sustainability.”

Prospective Alpha Program applicants are directed to a Pre-Qualification Survey to determine applicant eligibility.

For more information, visit ctcleanenergy.com/newtech and ctcleanenergy.com/AlphaProgram or contact the Alpha Program staff at newtech@ctcleanenergy.com.

About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)

CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

###

New Report from NREL and CESA Explores Clean Energy Deployment Lessons Learned by States

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Proposed federal clean energy initiatives and climate legislation have suggested significant increases to federal funding for clean energy deployment and investment. Many states and utilities have over a decade of experience and spend billions of public dollars every year to support EE/RE deployment through programs that reduce the cost of technologies, provide financing for EE/RE projects, offer technical assistance, and educate market participants. Meanwhile, constraints on public expenditures at all levels of government continue to call upon such programs to demonstrate their value.

This report, "State Support for Clean Energy Deployment: Lessons Learned for Potential Future Policy," reviews the results of these programs and the specific financial incentives and financing tools used to encourage clean energy investment. Lessons from such programs could be used to inform the future application of EE/RE incentives and financing tools. These lessons learned apply to use of distributed resources and the historical focus of these EE/RE programs.

The report is also available for download directly from the NREL website by clicking here.

DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program Publications - March 2011

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP)

A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Non-Profit Project Development (March 2011). This fact sheet summarizes A Guide to Community Solar, a new publication that provides options, examples, and legal and financial considerations for community solar projects.

Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments, Second Edition (March 2011). This fact sheet outlines the second edition of the DOE publication: Solar Powering Your Local Community: A Guide for Local Governments, a comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in designing and implementing a strategic local solar plan.

Solar Technical Assistance Team (STAT) (March 2011). The Solar Technical Assistance Team (STAT) is a team of solar technology and deployment experts who provide timely information to key state government decision makers on policies, regulations, financing and other issues.

DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee Releases Annual Report

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) issued its annual report on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Commercialization and Technical Development Activity. HTAC was established to provide technical and programmatic advice to the Energy Secretary on DOE’s hydrogen research, development, and demonstration efforts. The group includes representatives of domestic industry, academia, professional societies, government agencies, financial organizations, and environmental groups, as well as experts in hydrogen safety.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/news_detail.html?news_id=16850

NCLS Summarizes State and Federal Incentives for Fuel Cells

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Conference of State Legislatures has posted a webpage on “Fuel Cells—Clean and Reliable Energy.” It includes a summary of state and federal incentives for fuel cell implementation. It was written primarily with the needs of state legislators in mind and is a handy summary.

http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=22352

NJ Launches Process for Financing Offshore Wind Farms

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Christa Marshall, E&E reporter, ClimateWire 5.17.11 (Quote from Mark Sincliar, CESA)

New Jersey is opening up the application process for a new financing structure for offshore wind projects.

Yesterday, New Jersey's Republican governor, Chris Christie, announced that the state Board of Public Utilities would accept applications for offshore wind farms through June 14. It is the first step in the state's quest to become an early mover in the offshore wind space, which is still searching for its first constructed project in the United States.

The application process was set up by the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, signed by Christie last year. The bill called for a new financing system for offshore wind using "offshore wind renewable energy certificates," or ORECs.

It mirrors a state program providing solar credits that helped shoot New Jersey to second place in 2009 in terms of U.S. photovoltaic panel installations (ClimateWire, Aug. 20, 2010). Under the program, electricity suppliers will be required to hold ORECS, along with other renewable credits, to meet the state's renewable mandate.

Christie plans to meet with climate scientists

If offshore wind developers provide a complete application by the June 14 deadline, the board will have 180 days to make a decision on the whether a given developer can receive credits. Any viable project also will have to go through a multi-year process of state and federal permitting.

The state currently has several proposed projects at various stages of the permitting process, including a six-turbine wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City that received state permits last month.

"The wind power movement is providing us with a unique opportunity to advance energy as industry. By doing so, we have the ability to leverage our tremendous resources with ground-breaking technologies," Christie said yesterday in a statement.

The governor is expected to release his master energy plan for the state in coming weeks, according to Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts. Roberts also confirmed that Christie said over the weekend, as first reported by NJSpotlight.com, that comments in November 2010 about climate skepticism were made because he didn't have enough information at the time to make "an informed opinion."

Christie will be meeting with climate scientists this week, Roberts confirmed, although he would not disclose the details of the private meeting.

Report suggests that more states harness offshore wind

Last year, Christie said, "I think we're going to need more science to prove something one way or the other," when asked about global warming (ClimateWire, Nov. 11, 2010).

The offshore-wind announcement comes as New Jersey, along with other states, grapples with how to fund energy programs at a time of high budget deficits. In that regard, a group supportive of renewable energy released a study yesterday analyzing how states can best use available dollars.

One of the lessons from the report from the Clean Energy States Alliance is that rebate programs, like one offered in New Jersey, have limitations over the long term because of the uncertainty of their funding in the state appropriation process, according to Mark Sinclair, executive director of the alliance.

States should look more at "innovating financing," such as loan programs, he said. Northeastern states also should consider shifting some of their government funds from land-based wind, which has run into challenges in dense areas along the East Coast, to offshore projects, he said.

"Each state needs to figure out its strength and focus on that," he said.

States Advancing RPS Newsletter - Current Issue

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

To download the most recent issues of the States Advancing RPS Newsletter as a PDF, please click on the links below.

New Study Reveals Challenges and Opportunities in U.S. Wind Power Market

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Despite a trying year in which wind power capacity additions declined significantly compared to both 2008 and 2009, the U.S. remained one of the fastest-growing wind power markets in the world in 2010--second only to China--according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Energy and prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

"The delayed impact of the global financial crisis, relatively low natural gas and wholesale electricity prices, and slumping overall demand for energy combined to slow demand for new wind power installations in 2010," says Ryan Wiser, one of the authors of the study, and a scientist at Berkeley Lab. As a result, roughly 5 GW of new wind power capacity were connected to the U.S. grid in 2010, compared to nearly 10 GW in 2009 and more than 8 GW in 2008.

Wind power comprised 25% of new U.S. electric capacity additions in 2010 and represented $11 billion in new investment. Wind power contributes more than 10% of total electricity generation in four states, and provides more than 2% of total U.S. electricity supply.

The 2010 edition of the U.S. Department of Energy's “Wind Technologies Market Report” provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the rapidly evolving U.S. wind power market. Some of the key findings include:

• Due to the size and promise of the U.S. market, wind turbine manufacturers continued to localize production domestically in 2010, despite the relatively slow year. "Nine of the eleven wind turbine manufacturers with the largest share of the U.S. market in 2010 now have one or more manufacturing facilities in the United States – compared to just one such manufacturer with a domestic presence as recently as 2004," says Mark Bolinger, a co-author of the study and a Berkeley Lab scientist. In a major shift, the growth in U.S. wind turbine manufacturing capability, combined with the drop in wind power plant installations, led to an estimated over-capacity of U.S. turbine nacelle assembly capability of roughly 2.5 GW in 2010, in comparison to 4 GW of under-capacity in 2009.

• As a result, a growing percentage of the equipment used in U.S. wind power projects is domestically manufactured. U.S. trade data show that the United States remained a large importer of wind power equipment in 2010, but that wind power capacity growth has outpaced the growth in imports in recent years. When presented as a fraction of total equipment-related wind turbine costs, imports have declined significantly from 65% in 2005-2006 to roughly 40% in 2009-2010.

• Wind turbine prices have declined substantially since 2008. Price quotes for recent wind turbine transactions are in the range of $900-$1,400/kW, suggesting price declines of as much as 33% or more since late 2008, with an average decline closer to 20% for orders announced in 2010.

• Technological advancements have improved wind turbine performance, particularly at lower wind speed sites. Since 1998-99, the average nameplate capacity of wind turbines installed in the U.S. has increased by 151% (to 1.8 MW in 2010), the average turbine hub height has increased by 43% (to 80 meters), and the average rotor diameter has increased by 76% (to 84 meters). This significant up-scaling has increased the performance of wind projects. Substantial curtailment of wind energy output has occurred in some regions, however, while a variety of factors have resulted in a move by wind developers towards lower wind speed sites.

• Turbine price reductions, coupled with improved turbine technology, are expected to exert downward pressure on total project costs and wind power prices over time. Wind power cost and price reductions were not evident for projects installed in 2010, on average, as costs were driven by turbines ordered at higher prices in previous years. Early indications from projects built most recently, however, show the promise of substantial cost and price reductions, thereby improving the competitive position of wind energy as compared to the recent past.

• Looking ahead, projections are for modest growth in 2011 and 2012. Lower wind turbine and wind power pricing, along with key federal incentives for wind energy that are in place through 2012, are expected to lead to modest growth in annual wind power capacity additions in 2011 relative to 2010, with an even better year predicted in 2012. Capacity growth is expected to remain below the 2009 high, however, due in part to relatively low wholesale electricity prices and limited need for new electric capacity additions. Forecasts for 2013, meanwhile, are highly uncertain and depend in part on assumptions about the possible extension of federal incentives beyond 2012.

Berkeley Lab’s contributions to this report were funded by the Wind & Water Power Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 12 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. For more, visit www.lbl.gov.

Additional Information:

The full report (“2010 Wind Technologies Market Report”), a presentation slide deck that summarizes the report, and an Excel workbook that contains much of the data underlying the report, can all be downloaded from:
http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/re-pubs.html

The Department of Energy’s Progress Alert on this study is available at:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=568

Contact:
Allan Chen (510) 486-4210 a_chen@lbl.gov (media contact)
Ryan Wiser (510) 486-5474 RHWiser@lbl.gov (technical contact)
Mark Bolinger (603) 795-4937 MABolinger@lbl.gov (technical contact)

US Tidal Energy Resources Map

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Tidal energy—one of the fastest growing emerging technologies in the renewable sector—holds great promise for clean energy generation. And now, a first of its kind database gives researchers deeper insight into the potential of this vast energy resource for the United States.

The online database, developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) with the help of a $469,500 award from the U.S. Department of Energy, maps the energy available in the nation’s tidal streams. Researchers at Georgia Tech’s Savannah campus used the Regional Ocean Model to simulate tidal flows along the entire U.S. coastline, which is marked by thousands of streams, rivers and bays subject to daily tides. DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory validated the model’s accuracy and the resulting data are now publically available.

Full story

DOE/EERE Marine and Hydrokinetic Environmental Research Webinar Series

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Kickoff Wednesday, July 27, 2011
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT)

Emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies convert wave, tidal, ocean current, river in-stream, and ocean thermal energy into electricity. These technologies have potential to serve as low-carbon energy sources for many regions of the United States. In order to ensure the responsible deployment of these technologies as they are developed, a number of different agencies, federal research institutions, and universities are working to research the potential environmental impacts of MHK technologies. The Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies involved in reviewing, permitting, and regulating MHK are working to coordinate and collaborate on MHK environmental research as well as disseminate resulting products to other labs, federal agencies, industry, and interested stakeholders. This webinar series aims to increase awareness of current research efforts.

________________________________

Webinar Schedule:

July 27, 1-3pm (EDT) Hydrokinetics Environmental Data Management, Cumulative Impacts and Risk Assessment:

This webinar will focus on efforts to develop tools to manage and share data on environmental issues related to MHK deployment and methods to assess cumulative impacts and environmental risk. This webinar will provide information on current efforts to increase availability and initiate better management practices of these data to inform responsible permitting and siting of MHK projects. Projects highlighted will include:

Knowledge Management System, Tethys and Environmental Risk Evaluation System (Andrea Copping and Scott Butner, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
The Multipurpose Marine Cadastre (Christine Taylor, BOEM and Dave Stein, NOAA)
International Perspective on Environmental Risks of Wave and Tidal Energy Development (Gareth Davies, Aquatera)
Cumulative Impact Assessment and Probabilistic Modeling Tools to Inform MHK Siting (Paul Manson, Parametrix/Aquatera)
Conceptual Models of the Impacts of MHK Arrays (Mark Grippo and Ihor Hlohowskyj, Argonne National Laboratory)

August (Date TBD) Research on Potential Effects on Marine Animals This webinar will focus on research evaluating the probability of and potential effects of interactions between marine and hydrokinetic technologies and aquatic organisms.

September (Date TBD) Monitoring Technologies and Strategies: This webinar will focus on developing methodologies for monitoring MHK devices post-deployment, including monitoring framework development and the use of passive and active acoustics to monitor aquatic animal behavior around MHK devices. Another topic highlighted in this webinar will be insight into how these monitoring techniques may be used to develop mitigation measures in the future if needed.

New Carbon Trust Report: "Accelerating Marine Energy"

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The best marine energy sites could be cost-competitive with nuclear and onshore wind by 2025 with accelerated and targeted innovation, according to a new report from the Carbon Trust.

The report from the Carbon Trust, Accelerating Marine Energy is based on an evaluation of the Carbon Trust's £3.5 million Marine Energy Accelerator (MEA) programme of support for technology innovation.

It calculates that there is enough practically harvestable marine energy to provide for around 20% of the UK’s electricity consumption in 2025.

With sufficient effort on innovation, costs of will come down to around 28p/KWh for wave and 16p/kWh for tidal stream by the time the industry is half way through developing its most energetic sites.

These costs, particularly of wave power, could fall even faster if other countries install significant capacity as they are planning.

The report analyses the latest evidence on the practical marine energy resource and puts the wave resource at 50 tera-watt-hours per year (TWh/yr) and tidal (stream and flow) at 20.6 TWh/yr. This is broadly the same as previous studies.

Costs are very site-specific, though; for example energy would be cheapest at Pentland Firth Deep (http://www.tidalstream.co.uk/html/resource.html) - the biggest and the most energetic site - with over 6 TWh/yr of potential.

Estimating the future costs is also complex because of the many competing different emerging technologies with many components, such as cables, moorings and turbine blades, very few of which have been proven over significant periods of time in these harsh environments.

However, the first generation machines that have been tested in real conditions under the MEA do provide sufficient experience to give a reasonable estimate.

The report makes recommendations about what should happen over the first, second and third generations of implemented plants, each generation representing about five years of development.

It finds that installation costs can be lowered, as can the ability to tackle deeper sites. Marine Current Turbines (MCT)'s first-generation tidal device, currently being tested in Strangford Lough, is only suitable for shallow and relatively low wave sites.

But future iterations of the device will be able to deploy many more rotors in a single operation and access depths of over 40 metres and a more extreme tidal range. Significantly, version two will have a 20% lower capital cost per megawatt.

By the 2020s, third generation tidal flow machines will be able to generate electricity economically from sites with velocities too low to have been included in the main resource study.

As technology companies move towards 5MW projects - likely to require investments in the region of £30m-£50m - they will be working with developers to find equity investments in projects while also looking for continued investment at the company level. It is anticipated that it is utilities and project developers who will take the biggest stakes in marine energy farms.

A number of consortia have already formed with a view to developing commercial farms sites in the Orkney Waters Strategic Area identified by The Crown Estate.

These companies will have to install pre-commercial farms of around 5MW at these sites before technology is sufficiently developed for the 100MW+ farms they are planning.

To make this happen the Carbon Trust says that the government needs to create a stable framework for revenue support as well as capital support to enable developers to build the first tens and hundreds of megawatts of early commercial farms.

There also needs to be a clear position on planning for marine energy, with a streamlined consenting process and Strategic Environmental Assessments completed for some regions.

The Crown Estate, as owner of the seabed, must set out a roadmap for the wave and tidal industry.

The industry also needs to make a big push the technology innovation.

The stakes are high, but the rewards are fabulous, not only for the UK but for exporting the technology around the world, because already the UK is a world leader in this field.

Best Practices for Sustainable Wind Energy Development in the Great Lakes Region

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A new online guide to advancing wind energy while protecting the environment and addressing community concerns was released today by the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative (GLWC), a public/private coalition of interests advancing sustainable wind energy development within the Great Lakes region.

Best Practices for Sustainable Wind Energy Development in the Great Lakes Region highlights policies and practices to ensure wind development is environmentally protective, sensitive to community concerns and maximizes economic development potential. Best Practices for turbine siting, noise, environmental impacts and financial mechanisms are among the 18 “best practices,” which cover all phases of developing a wind energy project, from initial planning to operations and eventual decommissioning of spent turbines. Each best practice features a case example of that practice in action in the Great Lakes region or across the country.

“The stakeholders of the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative are steadfast in their belief that the need for renewable energy in the region must be balanced with sound economics and protection of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem,” said Terry Yonker, GLWC Steering Committee co-chair and president of Marine Services Diversified, LLC . “The development of wind power requires us to utilize the best practices that are available to us to insure that what results meets the highest possible standards of acceptance.”
The best practices were identified through a year-long process that included a literature review, online survey and interviews under the guidance of a Great Lakes Wind Collaborative workgroup that included environmental groups, industry, academia, and federal, state and local government regulators. The project was coordinated by the Great Lakes Commission, a compact of the eight Great Lakes states and the provinces of Ontario and Québec based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“These best practices will serve as a catalyst for innovation that will drive community and economic reinvention, diversification and development in the Great Lakes region,” said Mark Clevey, GLWC Steering Committee co-chair and manager of Consumer Education & Renewable Energy Programs for the Michigan Energy Office.

"Best Practices will help us develop wind farms to help meet our growing energy needs in an environmentally sustainable way,” added Matt Wagner, wind site development manager at DTE Energy. “Good project planning always involves communicating with our customers."
Although federal siting guidelines exist, ultimate decisions about whether and how a wind farm gets built are made at the state and local levels. The best practices identified in the report include both those that have been tested and shown to be effective, as well as new practices identified by experts as needed for future wind developments. They are intended to provide guidance for regulators, researchers, and wind industry interests who can choose from a mix of policies and practices that best advance the development of responsible and clean Great Lakes wind energy within a given locality, state or region.

Best Practices for Sustainable Wind Energy Development in the Great Lakes Region can be found on the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative web site at http://www.glc.org/energy/wind/bestpractices.html.

Contact: Victoria Pebbles, 734-971-9135 or vpebbles@glc.org.

Hydrokinetics: Quest For Renewable Energy Turns Back To Water

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Huffington Post GREEN blog by Alan Sayre, July 18, 2011. This is an interesting post about the potential future for hydrokinetic power generation in rivers.

DOE: Defense Department to Install Fuel Cells on Eight Military Bases

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

DOE, Defense Department to Install Fuel Cells on Eight Military Bases

A DOE-Defense Department agreement will support the use of fuel cells, like these at a Coca-Cola Refreshments bottling facility, on military sites.
Credit: UTC Power

DOE announced on July 19 that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) will install and operate 18 fuel cell backup power systems at eight military installations across the country as part of an interagency partnership with DOE. The eight installations include the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms in California; Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado; Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland; Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey; the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; Fort Bragg in North Carolina; the Ohio National Guard in Columbus, Ohio; and Fort Hood in Texas. The projects will test how the fuel cells perform in real world operations, identify technical improvements manufacturers could make to enhance performance, and highlight the benefits of fuel cells for emergency backup power applications. (Source: DOE EERE Newsletter July 27, 2011). Read the DOE Press Release.

New Jersey Surpasses Milestone of over 10,000 Solar Installations

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Press Release by the New Jersey Public Utilites Commission, July 25, 2011.

Offshore Wind Wire: Four Questions for Lew Milford and Mark Sinclair about Offshore Wind

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Offshore Wind Wire

FRIDAY INTERVIEW: Four Questions For Lewis Milford and Mark Sinclair

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

Lewis Milford is the president of the Clean Energy Group, Mark Sinclair is the vice president of the Clean Energy Group and the executive director of the Clean Energy States Alliance. Last week, Milford wrote an article in the Huffington Post about the economic argument for offshore wind.

Offshore Wind Wire: Please tell us about the Clean Energy Group: How was the CEG formed, and what is the relationship between CEG and the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA)?

Milford: Clean Energy Group is a leading nonprofit advocacy organization working in the U.S. and internationally on innovative clean energy technology, finance, and policy programs. I founded CEG in 1998, CEG is headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont, with staff based in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. (See www.cleanegroup.org). In 2002, CEG created and now manages a separate, national nonprofit alliance of state-based, U.S. public clean energy funds- Clean Energy States Alliance. CEG also serves as the Secretariat for the UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Alliance, the only convening body in the international system for public finance agencies in the clean energy sector. (See www.cleanenergystates.org). CEG is supported by major foundations, as well as state, federal and international energy agencies.

OWW: In your piece last week, you argue that state regulators need evidence of countervailing economic benefits to outweigh higher costs of emerging clean energy technologies. What is the right balance in weighing these factors, and which state has come closest to getting this right?

Milford: Each state will look at this question in light of its own regulatory policies. In many states, utility procurements will be judged by a general standard of whether the acquisition of power is in the public good or public interest of the state. That general standard usually contains several specific benefit type tests such as whether the power procurement would provide economic benefits, jobs, lower rates as compared to other resources, and otherwise contribute to local, state and regional economic development. The best example to date, and the only one so far to have specifically approved a power purchase contract for offshore wind, is the Cape Wind decision by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Under Massachusetts law, employment benefits are an explicit element to be used in rate case decision making. In this multi-hundred page decision, start at page 200 and read for about twenty pages to see how this is analyzed. You will see there were numerous studies showing job benefits and various other quantified and unquantified benefits-the analysis was used to offset the higher costs of the project as compared to commodity priced power. It’s very interesting to see how utility decision making is about much more than prices, it is now about jobs, environmental benefits, system reliability and regional impacts. Higher costs can be justified by economic development benefits.

So whether this is the right balance is still to be seen. But it is an excellent start to what are likely to be many more utility decisions in the future, if the industry starts taking off the way we expect it will. Of course, over time, we further expect the costs of offshore wind to decline with more supply, so this early stage industry cost dilemma will disappear with expanded deployment.

OWW: What can organizations such as the CEG or the CESA do to promote offshore wind as a reliable energy source in the United States?

Milford and Sinclair: Organizations like Clean Energy Group and CESA can and are taking many steps to promote offshore wind as a reliable energy source.

First, with Congress’ lack of support for advancing national renewable energy policy, state level policies and support for offshore wind, such as renewable portfolio standards, public financing, and tax credits for industry supply chain development, are critical to building a robust offshore wind industry. Therefore, CESA is working closely with several Atlantic Coast states to identify and advance best state policies and price support mechanisms tailored to accelerating offshore wind financing and infrastructure. Second, the siting of offshore wind projects is a significant challenge in the U.S., with numerous state and federal agencies having overlapping ocean management and regulatory roles. While the lead agency, the Department of Interior, has recently implemented an improved approach to the review and issuance of leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, there is a real need for increased coordination among state and federal agencies to facilitate smarter permitting. To address this regulatory barrier, CESA is working closely with key state and federal agencies to achieve greater regulatory collaboration and coordination across agencies.

OWW: Where do you think the first offshore wind farm in the United States will be built? When do you think the first turbine will be in the water?

Milford and Sinclair: From our perspective, it is not important where the first offshore wind project is built, but that it is built as soon as possible. Deployment of an initial project is essential to accelerating the offshore wind sector, because it will give confidence to future investors, regulators, and the public that the technology is viable and has much lower risks than other energy generation sources, including oil and gas drilling. If we were forced to make a bet on which project would be built first on the Outer Continental Shelf off the Atlantic coast and when, our crystal ball indicates Cape Wind with construction commencing in 2012.

See the original posting of this article at: http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/07/29/friday-interview-lewis-milford-and-mark-sinclair/.

NYSERDA Announces $20 Million in First Round of $150 Million Program to Help Fund Solar Energy Projects in New York City and Westchester

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in conjunction with the state Public Service Commission (PSC), announced today the award of $20 million in large-scale solar power projects to help facilities in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley generate electricity for their own use. This is the first round of a $150 million, five-year funding program. Another $10 million is available for a second round of proposals due Aug. 10, 2011.

Projects to receive incentives in the first round include a wide variety of Metropolitan New York businesses, all of which are major consumers of electricity. Potential recipients include five department stores, several discount stores, a half-dozen apartment complexes owned by Omni New York LLC, Pepsi Cola's Bronx bottling plant, two United States Postal Service distribution centers and about 20 other sites in and around New York. While contract negotiations are pending, these businesses and others have provided letters of interest.

The money is being awarded to solar contractors, who are seeking to install the systems on more than 30 commercial buildings and large apartment buildings. Having PV systems in prominent locations such as major retailers or large apartment complexes helps encourage others to make similar investments.

Because of the large size of these installations, NYSERDA's investment leverages a much greater return than solar incentives that concentrate on small-scale solar power (photovoltaic, or PV) projects.

"These large solar PV systems will reduce the strain on the electric grid while generating a significant amount of clean-energy electricity," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "By focusing on New York City and surrounding areas, this program will enable New Yorkers to make the most populous part of the state more energy efficient."

Garry Brown, Chairman of the state Public Service Commission, said: "We are very excited about promoting the growth of solar energy in New York City and the surrounding region. Developing renewable energy resources is a primary goal of the Commission. Programs that encourage renewable energy development will help ensure a cleaner environment and will enable us to take command of our energy future."

The projects were selected through a competitive process. Applicants submitted confidential price bids, enabling NYSERDA to choose the lowest price in order to get the most value. The NYSERDA incentive pays up to 50 percent of the cost of a project, up to $3 million. NYSERDA's contributions help encourage businesses to invest in this clean-energy technology by offsetting some of the cost. PV systems are also eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit and a 25 percent state tax credit.

Earlier this year, NYSERDA launched the $150 million program encouraging large businesses, especially manufacturing facilities; colleges and universities; schools; and other large buildings to take advantage of renewable energy incentives specifically for New York City and the lower the Hudson Valley. The incentives are for large-scale photovoltaic and biogas power initiatives.

NYSERDA will award up to $30 million each year, of which $25 million is targeted for New York City or southern Westchester County. The idea is to promote more clean-energy production in a part of the state that traditionally has been a large consumer of fossil fuels. The projects are meant to produce power for on-site use, not for direct sale to utilities. Under certain circumstances, however, unused power can be added to the grid in exchange for future utility credit.

The program is funded under the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS, created by the state Public Service Commission in 2004 to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, is administered by NYSERDA using a surcharge collected from ratepayers served by investor-owned utility companies. The funds help pay for more than a thousand clean-energy projects every year, ranging from large-scale wind farms to photovoltaic panels on private homes.

The funding is available to New York ratepayers who pay the RPS charge and can qualify based on the size of their facility.

For more information on this incentive: http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2156pon.asp

Contact:
Alan Wechsler
518 862-1090 ext. 3561
anw@nyserda.org<mailto:anw@nyserda.org>

NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

###

New Tool from the California Energy Commission Helps Homeowners Calculate Value of Their Solar Home

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A new online tool launched today by the California Energy Commission now helps the housing market evaluate the value of solar on California homes. The Solar Advantage Value Estimator (SAVE) will give the industry a long term and cost-effective method for calculating the added value of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on new and existing solar homes.

"This changes the perception of solar in the housing industry that benefits homeowners. California solar homes are essential to meet California's New Solar Homes Partnership goals and renewable energy mandates. Today's changing real estate market requires a credible method to determine a home's value with solar and this tool is an example of California's leadership to develop new methods to cultivate clean energy," said Energy Commission Commissioner Carla Peterman.

SAVE calculates the value of a solar PV system on a new or existing solar home including the estimated value in annual energy savings. The tool uses the homeowner's unique address and zip code, the solar system size, specific climate zone data, and local electric utility rates. The solar PV system information is captured from existing solar rebate data including the Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) and the Emerging Renewables Program. The information can also be entered by the user.

Once the three-step calculation is complete, the user receives a present value amount for their solar PV system. Real estate professionals, appraisers, and builders can connect this information to potential homebuyers who may be deciding to 'Go Solar,' or to homeowners who are selling their solar homes.

The Energy Commission released a market research* study in 2009 that revealed support for built-in solar electric systems in newly constructed homes that has not declined among new homebuyers despite economic pressures.

SAVE was developed through a coordinated effort of appraisers, realtors, and public/private stakeholders.

As of May 2011, the NSHP applications represent more than 15,223 new energy efficient solar homes and approximately 30 megawatts of solar capacity. To find a New Energy Efficient Solar Home in California, visit: www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/communities/nshp.php

For more information about SAVE and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, visit: www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/tools/calculators.php

*The NSHP market research was conducted by an independent contractor, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, from March to May, 2007, and in June and November, 2008 and October, 2009. (see market research at: http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/tools/marketing/nshp_mkt_research+surveys.php )

Media Contact: Amy Morgan - 916-654-4989

Debt Deal Puts States Back in the Clean Energy Driver's Seat

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The recent debt ceiling deal announced this week means two things for clean energy. One, forget Washington as a source of significant new funding and programs for a long time. Two, look once again to the states to keep momentum on clean energy alive.

The first point is fairly indisputable. Virtually every energy commentator has lamented how future, severe cuts to energy and environmental programs are an inevitable result of this new deal. Billions of dollars will come out of most clean energy and environmental programs for the next ten years, probably permanently below last year’s continuing resolution budget levels. DOE and Interior and EPA will see big hits to their programs. Unrealistic dreams of a new carbon tax are finally being put to rest. The cuts could well come to various renewable incentive and tax credit programs.

The second point of returning to the states is the only realistic answer. As Washington conducts a slash and burn campaign to gut clean energy and environmental programs the states are acting more responsibly. Just as they did under some rough times in Washington from 2000 to 2008, the states once again are stepping up their clean energy game.

Connecticut is the first state in the country, under Governor Malloy, to create a new green infrastructure bank, something that Washington has been unable to do. In Virginia, Republican Governor Bob McDonnell recently signed several initiatives into law: one would create a Clean Energy Manufacturing Incentive Grant Program; another raises the net metering limit for homeowners; and two others create a means for voluntary contributions on electric bills to a fund that will use proceeds to fund solar systems at residences, businesses, and nonprofits.

At the same time, Oregon and Massachusetts have created innovative new solar support programs (“Solarize Campaign”) that support communities and neighborhoods to use their collective purchasing power to help residents overcome the financial and logistical hurdles of going solar. The State of New Jersey is using its renewable portfolio program to support offshore wind and offering tax credits to build the associated supply chain to create local jobs and lower transmission investment costs.

Sure, some states are cutting back, or raiding some of their clean energy funds. But that is the rare exception. For the most part, we see steady state funding, and a renewed emphasis on the economic development benefits of clean energy programs, along with a raft of new economic development programs across the country. States are creating clean energy incubators, workforce training programs, technology innovation efforts and looking to major new projects like offshore wind to boost local manufacturing and employment.

So what gives with this schizophrenic state versus Beltway shift? It’s on old story. In Washington, the lowest common denominator policy prevails. The fossil fuel industry has enormous concentrated power to influence key lawmakers to do nothing on clean energy. It only takes a few no votes to kill federal legislation.

In the states, Governors of both parties tend to do what works, what creates jobs and brings in new industries. And for them, clean energy is the new nonpartisan economic driver. It is much harder for opponents to stop the spread of experimentation in 50 states.

This is clear from a recent study by the Brookings Institution that showed how renewable energy is one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the last ten years. It is perhaps the one bright spot in this bleak economy.

Governors get that story, and focus laser like on jobs. Unfortunately, some of our Washington politicians are now solely enamored of debt reduction and have forgotten the 16 million unemployed.

But the states have not. That is good news for clean energy. Now if only Washington understood how to work more with the states and ride that clean energy wave that is breaking outside the Beltway.

Lew Milford is the President of Clean Energy Group. The original blog piece, along with other CEG blog posts, can be found here: http://www.cleanegroup.org/blog/debt-deal-puts-states-back-in-the-clean-energy-driver-s-seat/

New Carbon Trust Report on Accelerating Marine Energy

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Carbon Trust released in July an update on marine energy activities and support: Accelerating Marine Energy.

This report provides an excellent overview of the state of the industry, updated cost of energy estimates for both tidal and wave power, as well as an overview of opportunities for cost reductions.

New Research in Puget Sound on Tidal Ocean Energy

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Experiments are under way to test the effects that a proposed tidal ocean energy project would have on wildlife in Washington's Puget Sound.

By the end of this month, the Snohomish County Utility District plans to apply to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a permit to build two large water turbines 200 feet deep in Admiralty Inlet. The aim is to complete the project by the summer of 2013, but first, scientists and engineers have to discover how marine life would react to the turbines and how the turbines would cope with harsh waters.

"This is all very new," said Craig Collar, senior manager of energy resource development at the Snohomish County utility. "Nobody has a commercial tidal energy plant running of the type we're talking about today, and probably we're years away from that."

The hydropower venture was spurred by Washington residents who demanded a move away from fossil fuel electricity production. If the project is successful, it could have implications for the entire country, since the 28 coastal states use 78 percent of the nation's electricity. Andrea Copping, a senior manager of the Puget Sound project with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Marine Sciences Laboratory, said tidal power should eventually join wind, solar and geothermal in the United States' renewable energy portfolio.

One of the main hurdles has been the repeated breaking of turbine blades in strong currents. As far as he knows, every turbine that has been tested in the water has failed, said Collar. He added: "It's just like wind in the early days. It's going to be expensive. It's not going to be very reliable. And it's going to be hard to permit."

Washington's pilot project is a $25 million endeavor, with up to $12 million coming from Snohomish County Utility and the rest from the Department of Energy. In addition to DOE, another 35 state, local and federal agencies claim jurisdiction over the project (Rob Hotakainen, Miami Herald, Aug. 9).

Marine Energy Demonstration hosted by MREC on August 15th

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Information Contact: John Miller, Executive Director, New England MREC, 508.999.6732. J2miller@umassd.edu

August 15 Press Briefing/ Marine Energy Demonstration Hosted by New England Marine Renewable Energy Center (MREC) and Patrick Administration

Please join us on Monday, August 15 at 12:00PM at the Falmouth Marine Park (Scranton Avenue, Falmouth, Massachusetts) for a press event to announce the state's first in-ocean demonstration project of a tidal energy device in Muskeget Channel, located between Martha's Vineyard and Muskeget Island.

This is a unique opportunity to show national leaders the capability of Massachusetts and New England as a marine renewable energy development region and the economic development potential of this growing industry.

The event will feature state and federal officials, university researchers and companies involved in wind and water power technologies.

This event is being coordinated by the New England Marine Renewable Energy Center (MREC) at UMass Dartmouth, the Patrick Administration's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

We also want to thank many of our New England MREC partners and participants for their roles in planning this event and contributing their time and resources.

Your attendance will highlight the renewable energy and economic development value of expanding the offshore energy industry in New England!

Please let us know if you can attend on August 15.

John Miller, J2miller@umassd.edu; 508.999.MREC (6732)

Clean Energy Is Booming And Creating Jobs

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

by Joel N. Shurkin | August 11, 2011
http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/clean-energy-is-booming-and-creating-jobs.php

Clean energy is now creating more jobs for the energy produced than coal or natural gas, and solar energy is the fastest growing industry in the United States, according to industry and academic sources.Solar energy alone employed 93,502 American jobs in 2010 and could grow from 25,000-50,000 this year, economy willing. Solar also is producing more jobs than any other energy source, and could generate four million jobs by 2030. Fifty percent of solar firms expect to be adding jobs this year in the teeth of the recession.

The Solar Energy Industries Association, the industry's trade association, said that in the last three years "the U.S. solar industry has gone from a start-up to a major industry that is creating well-paying jobs and growing the economy in all 50 states.

"Solar's robust growth in the past years has been the result of a very favorable combination of new, innovative business models, affordability for consumers, rapidly decreasing manufacturing costs and most importantly a strong commitment from the Obama administration and other policymakers in Washington," the industry report concluded.

In the first quarter of this year, the solar industry installed 252 megawatts of electric capacity, an increase of 66 percent from last year. There are now almost 3,000 megawatts of solar electric power in the U.S, enough to power 600,000 homes. Production of panels went up almost a third.

The average solar installation firm employes eight workers, the average manufacturing firm employs 24 solar workers. The average utility employes four, according to the job census.

That sunny picture was confirmed by two academic studies.

The Solar Foundation, a non-profit, non-lobbying group, and Cornell University reported in the National Solar Jobs Census 2011, that photovoltaic installations grew at a rate of 61 percent between 2006 and 2009.

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley, collating research from 15 job studies, concluded that photovoltaic technology produces more jobs per unit of electricity than any other energy source.

Most of the jobs are in construction and installation of solar facilities and can't be outsourced to other countries.

"Through replacing outdated infrastructure and developing better energy conservation and production practices a foundation is built for future domestic stability," the Berkeley group said.

Some of the stimulus is coming from government contracts.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will install solar panels at five VA hospitals and already has awarded $78 million in contracts; the Department of Energy has loan guarantees for solar projects which alone would create 26,000 jobs; the Department of the Interior has approved permits for projects which will power more than 730,000 homes, and the Department of Agriculture is now providing benefits for ranchers and farmers go to solar.

According to Rhone Resch of the industry's association, the industry goal is to install 10 gigawatts annual by 2015, adding enough power for 2 million homes a year.

Joel N. Shurkin is an author and freelance writer in Baltimore, MD. He is the author of nine books, which include: Invisible Fire, The Eradication of Smallpox; Engines Of The Mind, A History Of The Computer; Terman's Kids, The Groundbreaking Study Of How The Gifted Grow Up; and Broken Genius, The Rise And Fall of William Shockley.

http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/clean-energy-is-booming-and-creating-jobs.php

Energy Department Applauds World's First Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Station in Orange County

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Energy today issued the following statement in support of the commissioning of the world's first tri-generation fuel cell and hydrogen energy station to provide transportation fuel to the public and electric power to an industrial facility, located at the Orange County Sanitation District's wastewater treatment plant in Fountain Valley, California. The fuel cell commissioned today is a combined heat, hydrogen, and power system that co-produces hydrogen in addition to electricity and heat, making it a tri-generation system. The hydrogen produced by the system is sent to a hydrogen fueling station that will be open to the public and can support between 25 and 50 fuel cell electric vehicle fill-ups per day. The fuel cell also produces approximately 250 kW of power for use by the wastewater treatment plant. This on-site approach to hydrogen production advances hydrogen infrastructure technologies that will accelerate the use of this renewable fuel.

Learn More.

UMass Dartmouth-based Marine Renewable Energy Center conducts first in-ocean technology test in Massachusetts

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The first in-ocean demonstration project of a tidal energy device in Massachusetts was recently completed by UMass Dartmouth's New England Marine Renewable Energy Center (MREC) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) as officials outlined plans to establish a 300 square mile first-in-the-nation test site off Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

The MREC initiative is designed to incubate wave, tidal, and off-shore wind technology to capture a significant amount of the estimated 500-plus GW of wind, tidal and wave energy available off the coast of New England. Analysts believe the marine renewable energy sector has the potential to generate significant economic impact in the form of research, development, and manufacturing activity across New England.

For more information, see http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110818/PUB01/108180372

DOI Launches Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Energy Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

As part of Interior’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind energy initiative to spur rapid and responsible siting, leasing and construction of new wind projects, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich today announced the initial steps to develop commercial wind energy on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Link to the DOI Press Release.

Batteries for Energy Storage: New Developments Promise Grid Flexibility and Stability

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In this article from Renewable Energy World, Tildy Banyar looks at developments in large-scale battery energy storage solutions for integrating variable output renewable generation into the grid. The original article is available here: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/08/batteries-for-energy-storage-new-developments-promise-grid-flexibility-and-stability?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-August31-2011.

Balancing power supply and demand is always a complex process. When large volumes of renewables such as solar PV, wind and tidal energy, which can change abruptly with weather conditions, are integrated into the grid, this balancing process becomes even more difficult.

The issue for power plants is flexibility. "Large amounts of wind energy are being reliably and cost-effectively integrated onto the power system today," said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), who added "Energy storage can be a valuable resource for the power system in maximising the efficient use of this resource, and add flexibility for electric utilities."

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc. (ERCOT) faced the renewable power industry's most critical issue in February 2008. With a huge wind portfolio in the state the wind died down, and ERCOT declared emergency conditions after a 1200-MW drop in production. The three-hour shortfall, accompanied by increasing overall electricity loads, very nearly caused rolling blackouts. David Crane, president and CEO of New Jersey-based NRG Energy Inc., told the Houston Business Journal that "If a system can go unstable in the winter because 1500 MW of expected wind turns into 400-MW wind and then fossil has to scramble to come online - and several of our plants had to scramble to fill the gap - that's a big issue and there's going to be a big debate."

Effective energy storage can match total generation to total load precisely on a second by second basis. It can load-follow, adjusting to changes in wind and solar input over short or long time spans, as well as compensating for longterm changes. While fossil plants may take 10 minutes or more to come online, and will consume fuel even on "spinning reserve" standby, storing renewable energy for later use effectively produces no emissions.

"Grid-scale storage is here now," says Ed Cazalet of MegaWatt Storage Farms, which develops and operates large electricity storage facilities that connect directly to the wholesale electric grid. "Storage should be deployed now at the gigawatt scale...where capacity, ancillary services and energy time-shifting are clearly needed," he adds. But each power plant faces different issues, and each requires a tailored energy storage solution.

Some well-established technologies offer significant energy storage capacity but require specific geographical features and considerable infrastructure. Others can be deployed rapidly to wherever they are required, but currently offer restricted capacity, often at high cost. One technology that is now attracting considerable interest is large-scale battery storage.

Continue reading the full article here.

CEC Awards Funding to Energy Storage Research

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has shown its support for energy storage by awarding $845,894 from its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program to energy-storage research projects.

EnerVault Corp. of Sunnyvale, Calif., will receive $476,428 to demonstrate the commercial viability of the company's latest battery energy-storage system with a dual-tracking photovoltaic system. The project will develop a battery system that will be expandable to utility-scale applications and integrate with renewable energy resources.

EnerVault will also work with other project partners to install and evaluate the system in Snelling, Calif. The total cost of the project is $9.53 million. The CEC’s grant will supplement a $4.76 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) award that EnerVault, along with project partner Ktech Corp., received from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). EnerVault is providing $4.29 million for the project.

In addition, Fremont-based Amber Kinetics Inc. will receive $369,466 to research, develop and demonstrate a utility-scale flywheel energy-storage system. The project's total cost is $10 million. The CEC’s grant is the cost share for the company's ARRA award of $3.7 million from the DOE. Amber Kinetics and other partners are contributing $5.94 million for the project.

"As we strive to reach the state's renewable energy goals, research in energy-storage systems will reap significant benefits for California,” says CEC Chairman Dr. Robert Weisenmiller. “Energy-storage systems will improve efficiency and reliability in the electricity supply and facilitate the integration of clean, intermittent, renewable resources such as solar and wind.”

Utility Scale Electricity Storage Ramps Up with Growing Renewable Energy Use

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Global sales of utility-scale electricity storage (UES) technology will grow at a 36.6% compound annual rate (CAGR) over the next five years, from $3.9 billion in 2010 to $18.5 billion in 2015, as the drive to incorporate renewable power supplies into grids and build outs of transmission interconnections and smart grids accelerates, according to a BCC Research forecast.

Sales of UES technology will grow fastest in North America, BCC forecasts, increasing at a CAGR of 86.2%. UES sales in Europe will grow at a 41% CAGR, while sales in Asia/Australia will grow at a 21.7% CAGR.

Come 2015, according to BCC:

•UES sales in Asia/Australia, valued at $2.7 billion in 2010, will total nearly $7.2 billion;
•UES sales in Europe will increase from nearly $1 billion to $5.3 billion;
•UES sales in North America will increase from $272 million to $6.1 billion.

Utilities are investing heavily in developing innovative large-scale electricity storage systems as global demand for electricity is expected to rise for at least the next two decades, with renewable energy sources expected to supply a much higher percentage of total generating capacity. Government and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other environmental pollutants, such as mercury and heavy metals, are also spurring investment.

The resulting need to store electricity, both at utility and smaller scales, balance electricity demand and supply from intermittent clean and renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and modulate frequency and voltage, is driving innovation in the field.

One recent example of the innovations being commercialized is Beacon Power’s recently commissioned, 20-megawatt (MW) Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS), which will shore up New York’s electricity grid by providing fast response frequency regulation.

“Our Stephentown project is under budget and performing extremely well, proving that Beacon’s flywheel technology can deliver an essential grid reliability service while reducing the need for fossil fuel-based regulation resources and cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” Judith Judson, Beacon Power vice president of asset management and market development, commented.

Electricity Storage and American Wind Industries Release Joint Principles for Clean Energy

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Electricity Storage Association (ESA), the preeminent trade association dedicated to fostering the development and commercialization of energy storage technologies, and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), thenational trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry – have released joint principles crafted by the two industries to create a level playing field for the deployment of clean energy technologies.

Both ESA and AWEA have strongly advocated for public policies that level the playing field and remove barriers to market entry for clean energy technologies, allowing them to compete with traditional energy resources. The jointly agreed-upon principles recognize the value of energy storage across the utility industry, the benefit of storage as a source of ancillary services, and the need to strategically utilize storage on wind farms.

“ESA feels strongly about advocating for the use of energy storage to modernize the power grid,” said Brad Roberts, Executive Director of ESA. “Our policymakers need to understand the potential for these resources to improve our electric grid reliability, while creating jobs and stimulating American innovation and manufacturing. While wind energy makes our grid cleaner, energy storage makes our grid more flexible and reliable.”

“Large amounts of wind energy are being reliably and cost-effectively integrated onto the power system today,” said Denise Bode, CEO of AWEA. “Energy storage can be a valuable resource for the power system in maximizing the efficient use of this resource, and add flexibility for electric utilities. We look forward to working closely with ESA on regulatory policy that will enable these growing industries to fully benefit both consumers and the economy of the U.S.”

Specific policies supported by ESA and AWEA include:

• Wholesale energy markets and ancillary services markets should be created and expanded, and barriers to entry into those markets eliminated.

• Market and operating rules should be based around the type of service needed, and any technology that is able to reliably provide a needed service should be able to provide it. In many cases, previously bundled services should be disaggregated.

• Low cost grid operating reforms that will create more competition and make the grid operate more efficiently, such as greater balancing are coordination and faster generator dispatch intervals, should be implemented as soon as possible.

About ESA
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the ESA is a 501(c)(6) trade association, formed in 1996. ESA’s membership is comprised of a diverse group of electric utilities; energy service companies (ESCOs); independent power producers (IPPs); energy storage technology developers and suppliers; and those in the energy storage research community. The ESA Advocacy Council currently has ten founding members, including: A123 Systems, Inc., AES Energy Storage, Altairnano, Aquion Energy, Beacon Power, FIAMM, Prudent Energy Corporation, S&C Electric Company, Saft America, Inc., and Xtreme Power.

About AWEA
AWEA is the national trade association of America's wind industry, with more than 2,500 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers. AWEA sponsors the world's largest wind power trade show, WINDPOWER, to be held next in Atlanta, Georgia, June 3-6, 2012. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America.\

Contacts:
Allyson Groff, 202-457-1110, agroff@qga.com
Peter Kelley, 202-249-7354, pkelley@awea.org

Texas takes major step toward energy storage

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On Friday June 17th, Texas Governor Rick Perry recently signed into law the right for large energy storage projects – such as those using battery or flywheel technologies – to participate in the competitive wholesale electricity market, providing generation services, bringing significant grid reliability and environmental benefits to Texas.

“This bill is a good step forward and will help integrate storage into the Texas energy market,” said Suzi McClellan, director of the Texas Energy Storage Alliance and former Texas State Public Counsel.

Specifically, the law (Senate Bill 943 by Carona) clarifies the right of storage resources to interconnect to the grid, and to sell energy or ancillary services to the wholesale competitive market (ERCOT).

“This policy will encourage the development of storage projects to enhance the efficiency of the state power grid,” said Chris Shelton, president of AES Energy Storage, a TESA member. “Energy storage projects are able to provide a fast, flexible and emissions-free solution to grid operator requests for power – leveling the variability of generation and demand on the grid, reducing operating costs and providing for the integration of renewable sources.”

Energy storage can enhance the reliability of the electric grid by regulating frequency or by storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it when demand is high. These functions will also allow more sources of energy, such as wind, solar, and nuclear to be reliably integrated onto the grid.

“Energy storage is an emerging technology that has the potential to bring significant benefits to Texas” said McClellan. “It is a key part of the future electricity system.”

“The passage of this bill will contribute to the State’s continued leadership in clean energy,” commented Carlos Coe, CEO of Xtreme Power, a recipient of state Emerging Technology Funds, and an Austin-based storage system manufacturer with over 100 employees in central Texas. Xtreme Power will provide a 36 MW Dynamic Power Resource, the largest battery energy storage system integrated with a wind farm in the world, at the 153 MW Duke Energy Notrees project in our home State of Texas.

LBNL Announces New Solar Report on Installed Cost of PV - "Tracking the Sun IV"

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

“Tracking the Sun IV: An Historical Summary of the Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the United States from 1998 to 2010.”

This report provides a comprehensive summary of installed cost trends for grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States from 1998 through 2010, and provides preliminary cost trends for systems installed in 2011. The report, which updates three previous editions of the report series, is based on project-level data from approximately 116,500 PV systems, totaling 1,685 MW of capacity and representing 79% of all grid-connected PV capacity installed in the United States through 2010. The report also includes, for the first time, a separate analysis of utility-sector PV cost trends.

In addition to describing temporal trends, the report also describes trends in installed costs by system size; by component; between the United States, Germany, and Japan; among individual states; between customer-owned and third party-owned systems; and among customer types, applications, and technologies. The report also describes trends in financial incentive levels and the associated impact of those trends on the net installed cost of PV after receipt of incentives.

The report, along with a PowerPoint briefing and associated data file, can be downloaded from:

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/re-pubs.html

This report was funded with support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Program, and the Clean Energy States Alliance.

CESA Supports Agriculture-based Clean Energy Program in New Farm Bill

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In a recent letter to US Lawmakers on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, Clean Energy States Alliance Executive Director Mark Sinclair expressed support for continued energy-related programs such as the Energy Title of the 2088 Farm, Conservation, and Energy Act:

"In calling for continued Farm Bill support for clean energy, we fully recognize the significant budgetary constraints facing federal policymakers. We also understand that the deficit reduction effort will require considerable belt-tightening by many sectors of the federal government, including agriculture. However, as the House and Senate Agriculture Committees engage with members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and establish policy priorities within the next Farm Bill, we urge you to ensure that the Energy Title is preserved and receives robust funding if we are to tap the economic potential that rural clean energy represents for the nation."

To read the October 31, 2011 letter, click here.

MassCEC Announces Clean Energy Job Growth In Massachusetts

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announced significant growth in the Massachusetts clean energy economy, which now employs more than 64,000 people, according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report released today. The report identified 4,909 clean energy companies across the state that saw a 6.7 percent increase in jobs between July 2010 to July 2011, and expect employment growth rate of 15.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012.

“The data reported by MassCEC today are good news for the Massachusetts economy and our environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors. “Through Governor Patrick’s vision and supported by MassCEC’s innovative programs, the Commonwealth has become fertile ground for growing a clean energy future and we are well on our way.”

The 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which includes a breakdown of company and employment data by technology sector and geographic region, and information on workforce trends was prepared by BW Research Partnership on behalf of MassCEC. The report identified 4,909 clean energy companies in the state. According to a survey of these clean energy companies, 64,310 people are directly involved in work related to the state’s clean energy sector, representing 1.5 percent of all jobs in the Commonwealth.

To down load the full press release, click here.
To download the full report, click here.

CESA News and Notes - December 2011

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The current issue of the CESA Newsletter is available for CESA members to download from the Members-Only section of the website. If you need log in assistance, please contact Maria at maria@cleanegroup.org. The Newsletter is also distributed via the CESA Members' listserve.

California Energy Commission Awards $227,000 to SMUD for Energy Storage Research

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

SACRAMENTO - The California Energy Commission today awarded $227,000 to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for a research project demonstrating how energy storage can be integrated into local microgrids.

"Investing in energy storage research and testing is critical for meeting California's clean, renewable energy goals. Energy storage has the potential for helping improve a number of grid-related challenges including integration of intermittent renewables and maintenance of electricity system reliability," said Energy Commission Chair Dr. Robert Weisenmiller.

Funding for the project will come from the Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. The award is the result of a solicitation where PIER matched American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds with the goal to bring as much ARRA dollars into California as possible.

SMUD will demonstrate a one-megawatt advanced zinc bromine flow battery energy storage system for utility grid applications and validate the potential penetration of the system. The project will demonstrate the benefits of the storage system for load shifting, peak shaving (sending power back to the grid when demand is high), support for microgrid operations, and renewable energy integration.

SMUD plans to set up two demonstration sites using Premium Power Corporation's energy storage system. One system will be at SMUD's Sacramento headquarters; the second will serve the Anatolia III SolarSmart Homes community in Rancho Cordova.

The SMUD headquarters system will help improve microgrid operations, emergency operations, and boost peak period campus operation using electricity generated during off-peak hours. The system at SMUD's substation will be integrated with the Anatolia III SolarSmart Homes community, which will have 600 homes totaling 1.2 MW of photovoltaic generating capacity installed by the time the system is activated. A common control system at SMUD headquarters will control both storage systems to demonstrate fleet control of multiple distributed storage devices.

The total cost of the SMUD project is $5.15 million. The Commission's funding will supplement a $2.46 million ARRA award that SMUD, along with project partner Premium Power Corporation, received from the U.S. Department of Energy. SMUD is providing $2.46 million for the project.

The Public Interest Energy Research program supports public interest research and development that helps improve the quality of life in California by bringing environmentally safe, reliable, and affordable energy services and products to the marketplace. For more information, visit www.energy.ca.gov/research/.

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, six basic responsibilities guide the Energy Commission as it sets state energy policy: forecasting future energy needs; licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger; promoting energy efficiency and conservation by setting the state's appliance and building efficiency standards; supporting public interest energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development, and demonstration programs; developing renewable energy resources and alternative renewable energy technologies for buildings, industry and transportation; planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies.

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2011
Media Contact: Sandy Louey - 916-654-4989

Interstate Turbine Advisory Council (ITAC) Issues Technical Assistance RFQ

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Interstate Turbine Advisory Council (ITAC) is a CESA-managed alliance of clean energy programs and utility incentive providers working jointly to tackle the challenges, and promote the potential, of the small and midscale wind market.

ITAC has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a pool of qualified technical assistance consultants to assist with the evaluation of small and midscale wind turbines for inclusion on unified, national ITAC list of incentive-eligible wind turbines. Qualified consultants are encouraged to respond.

To learn more about ITAC and to download the RFQ, visit the ITAC webpages on the Clean Energy States Alliance website.

Eight Annual Small Wind Installers Conference June 12-13, 2012

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

After seven years of continued growth in the Small Wind industry, the eighth annual Small Wind Installers Conference is scheduled to take place June 12 – 13, 2012 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The Small Wind Installers Conference is the premier event for small wind-electric system installers, site assessors, designers, consultants, manufacturers, supply chain vendors, educators and advocates, and for those involved in sales, specification, management, grants and funding, and the permitting of small wind systems. The Conference is organized by Small Wind Conference Coordinating Committee.

Nearly 300 small wind professionals and industry representatives from across the United States and nine countries attended the 2011 conference. While American manufacturers have led the global Small Wind industry, the Conference has been a focal point for manufacturers, distributors and installers from Europe, Asia and Central and South America. The Conference, held just days before the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in Custer, Wisconsin, is a forum for cutting edge information on new trends in the industry, emerging technologies and testing, issues in zoning and permitting, workforce development and training, site assessment and funding mechanisms. 2011 saw significant developments in opportunities for small wind installers and manufacturers. Hear first-hand reports from vanguard leaders in the field.

The Small Wind Installer Conference is also the site for an extensive Exhibitor Hall featuring turbine, tower, wind resource assessment, and wind advocate services and products. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The Small Wind Installers Conference will be held at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. For more information to keep up to date on the conference activities, see www.smallwindconference.com or contact Samantha Smart Merritt at 612-655-5363 or Samantha@smallwindconference.org.

Contact: Samantha Smart Merritt

612-655-5363

Samantha@smallwindconference.com

###

Guidebook and Web-Based Tool Released to Aid in Best Use of Incentive Dollars for On-site Wind

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

State and utility policy makers, county officials, and other interested stakeholders can now explore the best ways to improve the bottom line of consumer-owned wind turbines with a new Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool and accompanying Guidebook, available at www.windpolicytool.org. The Guidebook is also available through the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Program online library at www1.eere.energy.gov/library/default.aspx?Page=9.

As part of a project funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Policy Tool uses a dashboard-interfaced pro forma financial model to calculate the impacts that rebates, tax credits, feed-in tariffs (FITs) and other incentives and policies have on project economics. The project helps address market challenges for distributed wind identified in the U.S. DOE “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report, available at www.20percentwind.org, as part of a diverse clean energy portfolio.

Users will learn what policy improvements – including overcoming zoning and interconnection hurdles, as well as rebates and tax incentives driving sales – are most needed for wind turbines up to 100 kW, and in which states. The Policy Tool allows sensitivity analyses to be conducted on various policy options and assumptions to determine impacts and optimal combinations to help guide efficient use of public and ratepayer funds.

The Guidebook highlights attractive markets and policy targets that offer the quickest returns on investment, by providing case studies, encouraging policy makers to build on lessons learned with best practices to sustain and improve support for on-site wind generation. Case studies are included to compare and contrast the existing policy landscape. One case study evaluates all states based on their current incentives and market environments for distributed wind.

Led by eFormative Options, experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the North Carolina Solar Center all played key roles in the project. “With increasing use of electric vehicles, wind turbines sited near the point of end use, such as at parking lots and truck stops, can quickly ramp-up to meet local demand,” said eFormative’s Principal Heather Rhoads-Weaver. “Our project helps ensure public dollars supporting this valuable technology are spent wisely.”

While rebates and incentives have been important drivers for the adoption of distributed wind technology, other policies have hindered market growth. With the wide variety of policies and regulations across various jurisdictional levels, utilities and policy makers wanting to support small wind projects have needed the clear roadmap that the Policy Tool and Guidebook provide.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, the market for small wind systems grew 26% in 2010. “Small wind turbines are poised to become an important piece of our country’s energy puzzle,” said Rhoads-Weaver. “Strategic policy support can enable this emerging technology to more effectively contribute to the national economy.”

Contacts:

Heather Rhoads-Weaver, 206-755-2064, hrw@eformativeoptions.com
Shannon Helm, N.C. Solar Center, 919-423-8340, shannon_helm@ncsu.edu
Franny White, PNNL, 509-375-6904, franny.white@pnnl.gov

ABOUT EFORMATIVE OPTIONS

eFormative Options offers expertise in forming and advancing sustainable endeavors, evaluating economic development impacts, and siting, zoning and policy recommendations. Launched in 2005, eFormative consults on project and organizational development, grant writing, creating funding and resource plans, market analysis, public affairs, communications, consensus-building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders. www.eformativeoptions.com

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY

National Renewable Energy Laboratory develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. NREL has forged a focused strategic direction to increase its impact on the U.S. Department of Energy’s and our nation's energy goals by accelerating the research path from scientific innovations to market-viable energy solutions. NREL began operating in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institute, and is managed for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. www.nrel.gov

ABOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory where interdisciplinary teams advance science and technology and deliver solutions to America's most intractable problems in energy, the environment and national security. PNNL employs 4,800 staff, has an annual budget of nearly $1.1 billion, and has been managed by Ohio-based Battelle since the lab's inception in 1965. Follow PNNL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. www.pnnl.gov

ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA SOLAR CENTER

Created in 1988, the North Carolina Solar Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU), works closely with state and local government and the renewable energy industry. It manages and maintains the NCSU Solar House and serves as a resource for innovative, green energy technologies through research and demonstration, technical assistance, education, outreach and training. It also administers the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a resource providing financial incentives and policies. www.ncsc.ncsu.edu

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

In order to promote national security, economic vitality, and environmental quality, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy works to enable rapid expansion of clean, affordable, reliable, domestic wind power through its Wind and Water Power Program. This program works with national laboratories, industry, universities, and other federal agencies to conduct research and development activities through competitively selected, cost-shared projects. www.eere.energy.gov and https://www1.eere.energy.gov/wind

Independent Expert Science Panel Releases Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

An independent panel of experts studying potential health impacts of wind turbines has issued its report, Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the Independent Expert Panel. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) convened the panel in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The panel was composed of physicians and scientists with broad expertise in areas including acoustical noise/infrasound, public health, sleep disturbance, mechanical engineering, epidemiology, and neuroscience. Three public meetings on the report will be held in February as part of a 60-day comment period.

The independent report was proactively sought to help address questions that have been raised by members of the public about potential human health impacts associated with proximity to wind turbines. The panel was asked to identify any documented or potential human health impacts or risks that may be associated with exposure to wind turbines in order to facilitate discussion of wind turbines and public health based on the best available science. The panel was also asked to offer suggestions relative to best practices.

Due to the high level of interest in the panel's findings, the report is being made available to the public at the same time it is being reviewed by the agencies. Access the report here: www.mass.gov/dep/energy/wind/panel.htm

"This is a complex issue that the panel spent many months studying. We took our work very seriously," said panel member Wendy Heiger-Bernays, PhD, who is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health. "By reviewing the available data and information, we believe that we have significantly added to the understanding of the potential for health effects from wind turbines."

"We appreciate the hard work of the independent expert panel to evaluate the issues and complete this report, which will help inform future discussions with the public on wind turbines," MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell said. "It is extremely important that we have the best science available to us as we make decisions on wind energy."

"We appreciate the thoroughness of the report made possible by the particular expertise of the panel members," Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach said. "We will continue to work closely with MassDEP as we solicit feedback on the report during the public comment period."

Among the key findings of the panel are:

There is no evidence for a set of health effects from exposure to wind turbines that could be characterized as a "Wind Turbine Syndrome."
Claims that infrasound from wind turbines directly impacts the vestibular system have not been demonstrated scientifically. Available evidence shows that the infrasound levels near wind turbines cannot impact the vestibular system.
The weight of the evidence suggests no association between noise from wind turbines and measures of psychological distress or mental health problems.
None of the limited epidemiological evidence reviewed suggests an association between noise from wind turbines and pain and stiffness, diabetes, high blood pressure, tinnitus, hearing impairment, cardiovascular disease, and headache/migraine.
There is limited epidemiologic evidence suggesting an association between exposure to wind turbines and annoyance. There is insufficient epidemiologic evidence to determine whether there is an association between noise from wind turbines and annoyance independent from the effects of seeing a wind turbine and vice versa.
There is limited evidence from epidemiologic studies suggesting an association between noise from wind turbines and sleep disruption. In other words, it is possible that noise from some wind turbines can cause sleep disruption. Whether annoyance from wind turbines leads to sleep issues or stress has not been sufficiently quantified. While not based on evidence from wind turbines, there is evidence that sleep disruption can adversely affect mood, cognitive functioning, and overall sense of health and well-being.
Scientific evidence suggests that shadow flicker does not pose a risk for eliciting seizures as a result of photic stimulation. There is limited scientific evidence of an association between annoyance from prolonged shadow flicker (exceeding 30 minutes per day) and potential transitory cognitive and physical health effects.

The panel's charge did not include investigating or addressing reported problems at any particular turbine installation, though the panel did receive extensive public comment, including from residents who live near wind turbines. Instead, the panel was tasked with reviewing extensive existing information within their areas of expertise to determine the potential for health effects. They looked at both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed studies.

A public comment period on the report is now open until Monday, March 19 at 5p.m. Electronic comments can be submitted to: WindTurbineDocket.MassDEP@MassMail.State.MA.US

Written comments can be submitted to:

MassDEP Wind Turbine Docket
One Winter Street
Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Verbal and written comments may also be submitted at the following three public meetings:

Tuesday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Gardner Auditorium in the Statehouse, 24 Beacon Street, Boston.
Thursday, February 16, from 5-8 p.m. - Bourne High School, Beth Bourne Auditorium, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne.
Tuesday, February 28, from 5-8 p.m. - The Lee Middle and High School Auditorium, 300 Greylock Street, Lee. Snow date: February 29th.

Comments received will be considered prior to the report's use by or adoption by any state agencies.

For additional information about this study, please visit MassDEP's Wind Turbine Web Page at: www.mass.gov/dep/energy/wind/panel.htm

Although beyond the scope of the original charge, two members of the panel - on their own initiative - also submitted to the agencies an addendum report focusing on a brief review of wind power in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Vermont and Maine. That addendum report can be reviewed here: www.mass.gov/dep/energy/wind/panel.htm

For the media: MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell and members of the independent panel will be available to talk to the media via teleconference on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. Media members can join the teleconference by calling: 1-877-820-7831, and entering the code: 453453#

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

###

CESA Announces Hire of New Communications Director

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Clean Energy States Alliance Welcomes New Communications Project Director

New Director Will Manage Communication Effort to Ensure Access to Objective, Factual Information on Merits of Domestic Offshore Wind Production

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Today, Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) announced the hiring of Marissa Newhall as the organization’s new Communications Director. In this role, Newhall will manage a collaborative communications effort to ensure public and stakeholder access to objective information on the merits of offshore wind in the United States, a key component of CESA’s Offshore Wind Accelerator Project (OWAP).

Newhall joins CESA from SmartPower, a nonprofit marketing firm dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency, where she served as Communications Director. In this role, she developed and implemented short- and long-term messaging, PR, and social marketing strategies for the organization and its various projects to build the marketplace for clean energy across the U.S. Before joining SmartPower, Newhall spent three years as a blogger and multimedia journalist at the Washington Post, and several years as a freelance writer for USA Today, the Society of Professional Journalists, and other publications.

The Offshore Wind Accelerator Project, managed by CESA, is a collaborative effort between key state officials, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, private foundations, industry leaders, and regional organizations to tackle the major barriers to building a robust domestic offshore wind industry.

Challenges such as reducing the cost of financing, smarter permitting, integrating ocean planning into siting decisions, fostering collaborative energy procurement, and building a robust supply chain can be most effectively addressed through a focused, collaborative effort by states, federal agencies, the private sector, and community stakeholders. A unified communications effort – incorporating honest messaging, proactive media outreach, and quick responses to offshore wind “misinformation” – will play a vital role in advancing the collaborative initiative to reach the national goal of deploying 54 gigawatts of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030.

“Vast offshore wind resources offer one of the most compelling opportunities for states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions to generate renewable power, create high-value jobs, and reduce air emissions from the power sector. Yet complex barriers and issues remain,” said Mark Sinclair, CESA’s Executive Director. “We are very pleased to add Marissa to the CESA team. Her charge is to advance effective messaging, public relations, and a targeted communications initiative to support the efforts of industry, environmental organizations, and state and federal leaders to tap the potential of offshore wind to contribute to the nation’s growing clean energy economy.”

Newhall holds bachelor’s degrees in International Affairs and Visual Media from American University and is a master’s candidate at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute, focusing on the intersection of clean energy, climate change, and economic development. She will be based in Washington, D.C.

# # #

About Clean Energy States Alliance: Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing state and local efforts to implement smart clean energy policies, programs, technology innovation, and financing tools to drive increased investment and market making. CESA works with the leading state and public clean energy programs and provides information sharing and technical assistance to states and local governments on “best in class” clean energy programs and policies. CESA also facilitates collaborative networks to coordinate efforts between states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to leverage accelerated progress on deploying clean energy projects and markets. For more information, visit www.cleanenergystates.org.

CESA Files Comments on Draft DOE Offshore Wind FOA; Recommends State/DOE Joint Funding

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Clean Energy States Alliance submitted the following comments on the Draft Financial Assistance Opportunity No. DE-FOA-0000410, entitled U.S. Offshore Wind: Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects. CESA is a national non-profit organization that works with states to advance renewable energy policy, programs, finance, and technology innovation. CESA is a membership organization, composed of the major state clean energy programs in the country. CESA also facilitates a collaborative of state officials, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry representatives, and other offshore wind (OSW) stakeholders with the objective of accelerating the development of a robust OSW industry in the U.S. – the Offshore Wind Accelerator Project.

CESA’s comments on the draft FOA are as follows:

1. To leverage the federal funding for Topic Areas 1 & 2, DOE should seek to identify states which are interested and able to provide matching funds to applicants for proposed projects submitted under the FOA. Establishing an immediate state/DOE joint funding approach for the FOA would leverage limited DOE funding with additional state funding, assist in ensuring state regulatory support for selected projects, and allow DOE to support more pilot and technology demonstration projects within the FOA’ s funding budget. There are many states along the Atlantic Coast that would be interested in entering such a cost-sharing arrangement for OSW, because of the significant priority that states from Maine to Georgia are placing on deploying these projects and developing a related supply chain. For example, states such as Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York each have clean energy funds that could be readily directed to OSW pilot and demonstration projects in association with this FOA – if there is a targeted effort to invite state involvement.

DOE could use various options to implement this joint state funding strategy, including the following:

• DOE requests states to consider commitments (outreach to states could occur via CESA, NASEO, NGA, or directly from EERE itself) to provide matching funds to future awardees of the FOA within their state, and DOE lists the state commitments in the FOA.

• DOE requests that states consider issuing separate state solicitations for projects in state-adjacent waters that are eligible for the DOE-issued FOA. Under this scenario, interested states would determine which applicants will receive matching funds based on state-based criteria in the state RFP, with state funding provided only if the project is selected by DOE for the federal funding through the DOE-issued FOA. Successful applicants would receive a letter of intent from the state to include in the DOE application. (This was an approach used by the California Energy Commission for providing matching state funds towards ARRA-related DOE FOAs).

• DOE issues a “collaborative” FOA solicitation with interested states able to commit state matching funding, with DOE seeking to agree upon technical selection criteria with partnering states to govern the FOA. DOE then lists the participating states in the FOA and the cost shares that states will provide for projects awarded in their states or region. Participating states also could be given a role in the review of the DOE FOA applications in the grant review and award process, as members of an advisory selection committee or the merit review team.

Regardless of the actual mechanism employed, DOE’s active solicitation of interested states to provide cost share in association with the FOA would ensure (a) better coordination among states and DOE to advance “fast track” pilot projects and (b) more strategic technology demonstration projects that build upon existing state commercialization work (e.g., MIT research, University of Maine deepwater offshore wind activities, etc.). Moreover, states along the East Coast can move very quickly to commit funds to these topic areas within the FOA- issuance timeframe because of their existing policy, program, and funding commitments to deploying offshore wind and the states’ sense of urgency to seize the OSW opportunity now.

If useful, CESA is available to assist DOE in implementing any of these options with CESA’s strong connections with the leading state clean energy funds along the Atlantic Coast.

The merits and practicality of CESA’s recommendation are validated by the fact that the DOE Office of Electricity and Sandia National Lab are pursuing similar state/DOE cost-sharing partnerships with interested states for energy storage demonstration projects. The strong state interest in the energy storage co-funding effort with DOE is a strong indication of the value proposition of using a similar approach for the OSW technology accelerator FOA.

2. DOE should implement the FOA awards with use of a “technical services team” to assist awardees in the management and support of the projects receiving awards, rather than merely providing grants. Use of such a team will ensure and capture learning, identify and mitigate regulatory and other risks, help to solve project challenges as they arise, and monitor and evaluate the progress of projects. This type of team will be critical in managing the risks associated with pilot and demonstration projects that are being publicly funded. The team should be responsible for ensuring that projects meet funding objectives and progress rapidly within ambitious timeframes. This more “hands on” management approach by DOE, and a specially-selected technical team, will assist in accelerating the OSW industry.

3. DOE should use the awarded pilot projects as an important mechanism for contributing to the environmental data collection needs in order to fill the major information gaps related to the potential effects of OSW in the ocean environment. Specifically, as a condition of awards, pilot projects should be required to implement studies and/or monitoring to address priority research needs – in coordination with interested public and private research institutions and with public funding provided for the environmental research studies. Of particular value, the pilot projects should be used, in part, to identify impact reduction approaches, mitigation measures, and adaptive management that are applicable to a broad range of future OSW projects. To that end, DOE should work with NOAA, BOEM, USFWS, and national universities to shape this FOA project-related environmental research to complement existing research programs being implemented by these agencies and entities.

Submitted by Mark Sinclair, Executive Director, Clean Energy States Alliance
February 14, 20102

The letter can be downloaded here as a PDF.

CESA, State Agencies, and Stakeholders Recommend DOI to Designate Offshore Wind Ombudsman

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Clean Energy States Alliance joined the Maryland Energy Administration, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Enviornmental Control, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Conservation Law Foundation in a letter addressed to US DOI Secretary Ken Salazar recommening that the Department announce the designatin of an ombudsman position to assist stakeholders who have a major unresolved conflct or issues with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) or other Department agencies with a role in the permitting and leasing program for offshore wind.

The letter can be downloaded here as a PDF file.

Energy Storage Technology Advancement Project (ESTAP) RFI Released by DOE and Sandia

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Today, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), on behalf of DOE-OE’s Energy Storage program, released a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting ideas from U.S. state and territorial governmental entities for the design, procurement, installation, and demonstration (for a minimum of one year of operation) of state-of-the-art electrical energy storage technology demonstration projects that meet the goals of the Energy Storage Program (see http://energy.gov/oe/downloads/energy-storage-program-planning-document).The RFI is available here: http://supplier.sandia.gov/opportunities/expanded.aspx?ID=1145.

State entities (such as state energy offices, state economic development agencies, etc.), along with their subcontracting partners (such as universities, energy storage device manufacturers, renewable project developers, end users, and utilities) are required to contribute at least 50% of the project’s total cost, with potential grants of up to $250k for fiscal year 2012. Larger cost share will be given preference.

The purpose of this RFI (Request for Information) is to determine general interest in this opportunity and to solicit all potential state entity project ideas. Responses, due 3/8/12, will inform and may be followed with an RFQ (Request for Quotation) asking for formal proposals, on or around April 2012, with responses due on or around 4/24/12 and awards made by 8/30/12. This RFI is non-binding.

For the benefit of applicants, a bidders' call/webinar will be held on February 29, 2012 from 3-5 p.m. Eastern. Please pre-register for the event here. Questions should be sent to Suzette Howey at Sandia National Laboratories: sbhowey@sandia.gov. Questions will be accepted until March 5, 2012 at 4 p.m. Eastern. All questions and answers are public and will be shared with all bidders.

In addition to deploying projects in states, another major goal of DOE-OE is to develop ongoing partnerships with state entities focused around electrical energy storage. As such, this is the first of what DOE-OE anticipates could be several subsequent solicitations, based on funding availability, under the umbrella of a long-term partnership program. Partnerships among the states and between state entities and rural electric cooperatives and/or the military are specifically encouraged. Although this solicitation is for distributed-scale projects, applications should demonstrate how these smaller, dispersed projects could lead to larger, grid-scale applications.

A variety of proposals are encouraged, encompassing various applications from renewables integration to transmission component upgrade deferral to military base energy surety, etc. Electrical energy storage technologies include advanced batteries, flywheels, super capacitors, and site-independent compressed air. The solicitation requires that all technologies be tested at SNL’s test facility for at least two months prior to final deployment. DOE is responsible to fund the testing expenses associated with the energy storage technology or storage technology application that will be deployed as a result of this opportunity. Preference will be given to American-made devices.

New UK Report on Wave Energy Obstacles and Opportunities

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

See link below regarding link to new report mandated by British Parliament on obstacles and opportunities for Britain to scale up wave energy. The report, "Energy and Climate Change - Eleventh Report
The Future of Marine Renewables in the UK," has several recommendations relevant to U.S. efforts to build a marine technology energy industry.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmenergy/1624/162402.htm