Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
USPS Goes Green
USPS Goes Green
In strict adherence to guidelines released by the Department of Energy, the United States Postal Service gets on a fast track to reach the goal for energy reduction. Green roofs, green buildings and an optimally efficient management system of energy consumption form part of the energy-reduction strategy.
Power Guzzlers:
Use of air conditioning is one of the main reasons for the ever increasing power consumption. The heat-island effect also plays a part. Concentration of black or dark roofs and paved surfaces raise the ambient temperature increasing the demand for air-conditioning. The air quality also is certainly poorer because of the ever increasing carbon emissions.
Going green:
The agency is aggressively marching on to reduce power consumption. The plan is to economize energy consumption by 30% by 2015. It is using various approaches to reach the goal. Already 70% target completed, only about one third of the goal is all left to achieve by the USPS.
Cool roof initiatives:
One of the remarkable initiatives in combating power consumption is the cool green roof initiatives as per Energy Department guidelines. In Manhattan Midtown, the USPS has converted the roof of Morgan Mail Processing Facility to green roof topping. This 2.5-acre wide green roof is the largest green roof topping in New York City.
Advantages of Green roof:
Not merely meeting the early performance estimates, this green roof has actually exceeded all expectations since the time it was constructed. The advantages are:
Cool green roofs reflect sunlight and reduce heat gain.
Reduction of polluted storm water run-off-– 75% in summer and 40% in winter.
Reduction in annual energy consumption – 40% per month
Additional reduction in energy expenses – 15% – because of energy-saving measures like replacing some 1600 windows.
Longer lasting – lasting for some 50 years – twice as much as the previous one.
Energy saving spree:
The implementation of Enterprise Energy Management System has been a boon to USPS saving some $400 million since 2007. Instead of the estimated $30,000 savings in Morgan Facility alone, more than $1 million was saved as the direct results of the green roofing and other energy-efficient measures.
Success of EEMS:
With measures like green roofing and LEED certifications, the USPS has achieved energy cut of some 21% since 2003 and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and thereby controlling carbon emission by 20%. Now USPS is on the go implementing new measures to make its entire fleet of buildings energy efficient and to use more green environmentally friendly alternative fuels.
In strict adherence to guidelines released by the Department of Energy, the United States Postal Service gets on a fast track to reach the goal for energy reduction. Green roofs, green buildings and an optimally efficient management system of energy consumption form part of the energy-reduction strategy.
Power Guzzlers:
Use of air conditioning is one of the main reasons for the ever increasing power consumption. The heat-island effect also plays a part. Concentration of black or dark roofs and paved surfaces raise the ambient temperature increasing the demand for air-conditioning. The air quality also is certainly poorer because of the ever increasing carbon emissions.
Going green:
The agency is aggressively marching on to reduce power consumption. The plan is to economize energy consumption by 30% by 2015. It is using various approaches to reach the goal. Already 70% target completed, only about one third of the goal is all left to achieve by the USPS.
Cool roof initiatives:
One of the remarkable initiatives in combating power consumption is the cool green roof initiatives as per Energy Department guidelines. In Manhattan Midtown, the USPS has converted the roof of Morgan Mail Processing Facility to green roof topping. This 2.5-acre wide green roof is the largest green roof topping in New York City.
Advantages of Green roof:
Not merely meeting the early performance estimates, this green roof has actually exceeded all expectations since the time it was constructed. The advantages are:
Cool green roofs reflect sunlight and reduce heat gain.
Reduction of polluted storm water run-off-– 75% in summer and 40% in winter.
Reduction in annual energy consumption – 40% per month
Additional reduction in energy expenses – 15% – because of energy-saving measures like replacing some 1600 windows.
Longer lasting – lasting for some 50 years – twice as much as the previous one.
Energy saving spree:
The implementation of Enterprise Energy Management System has been a boon to USPS saving some $400 million since 2007. Instead of the estimated $30,000 savings in Morgan Facility alone, more than $1 million was saved as the direct results of the green roofing and other energy-efficient measures.
Success of EEMS:
With measures like green roofing and LEED certifications, the USPS has achieved energy cut of some 21% since 2003 and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and thereby controlling carbon emission by 20%. Now USPS is on the go implementing new measures to make its entire fleet of buildings energy efficient and to use more green environmentally friendly alternative fuels.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
New photovoltaic (PV) cell module that has an output of 200W
New photovoltaic (PV) cell module that has an output of 200W
Mitsubishi has developed a new photovoltaic (PV) cell module that has an output of 200W and unlike conventional ones it uses monocrystalline silicon (Si) PV cells. For the moment, the PV cell module is targeted at residents of Japan, but the company plans to start offshore shipments from Oct 20, 2010.
The output of the new module is about 5% higher than Mitsubishi Electric’s PV cell module that uses polycrystalline Si PV cells. Besides the fact that the new monocrystalline Si PV cell increases power generation efficiency, it also boosts the current value, early prototypes suffered from greater energy loss. This happens because the electric resistance inside the cell increases.
The company has solved this problem by increasing the number of bus bar electrodes from two to four to shorten the travel distance of electrons. So, the researchers have got a positive result. The electric resistance inside the cell decreased, enhancing the output performance of the monocrystalline Si PV cell.
According to Mitsubishi Electric Corp., the new PV cell module will be available in three shapes: a normal type (rectangular type), a trapezoidal type (1,297 x 858mm, 100W) and a square type (843 x 858mm, 100W), thus, having the possibility to be installed on various types of roofs. In only one year, the company is planning to sell about 100,000 units at a price of US$1,561 for three types.
Mitsubishi has developed a new photovoltaic (PV) cell module that has an output of 200W and unlike conventional ones it uses monocrystalline silicon (Si) PV cells. For the moment, the PV cell module is targeted at residents of Japan, but the company plans to start offshore shipments from Oct 20, 2010.
The output of the new module is about 5% higher than Mitsubishi Electric’s PV cell module that uses polycrystalline Si PV cells. Besides the fact that the new monocrystalline Si PV cell increases power generation efficiency, it also boosts the current value, early prototypes suffered from greater energy loss. This happens because the electric resistance inside the cell increases.
The company has solved this problem by increasing the number of bus bar electrodes from two to four to shorten the travel distance of electrons. So, the researchers have got a positive result. The electric resistance inside the cell decreased, enhancing the output performance of the monocrystalline Si PV cell.
According to Mitsubishi Electric Corp., the new PV cell module will be available in three shapes: a normal type (rectangular type), a trapezoidal type (1,297 x 858mm, 100W) and a square type (843 x 858mm, 100W), thus, having the possibility to be installed on various types of roofs. In only one year, the company is planning to sell about 100,000 units at a price of US$1,561 for three types.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Dubbed “Bio-Bug”, this green vehicle runs reliably on biogas.
A group of British engineers has created a car powered by methane gas. Dubbed “Bio-Bug”, this green vehicle runs reliably on biogas, which is produced from human waste at sewage works across the country.
The team modified a 2 litre VW Beetle convertible to run on both compressed methane gas and conventional fuel. It can also travel 10,000 miles by the power produced from sewage collected from just 70 homes.
According to the team, Bio-Bug is Britain’s first vehicle to run on methane gas without its performance being reduced. Normally, the car uses unleaded petrol but when the engine becomes “hot”, it automatically switches to methane. If the methane tank empties, the vehicle reverts back to petrol.
This poo-powered car is capable to reach a top speed of 114mph, running 5.3 miles on a cubic meter of biogas, which means that just one sewage works could save 19,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The gas is produced through anaerobic digestion, where bugs starved of oxygen break down biodegradable material to generate methane. ‘Biomethane cars could be just as important as electric cars, and the water regulator Ofwat should promote the generation of as much biogas as possible through sewage works in the fight against climate change,’ said Lord Rupert Redesdale, chairman of The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association.
The team modified a 2 litre VW Beetle convertible to run on both compressed methane gas and conventional fuel. It can also travel 10,000 miles by the power produced from sewage collected from just 70 homes.
According to the team, Bio-Bug is Britain’s first vehicle to run on methane gas without its performance being reduced. Normally, the car uses unleaded petrol but when the engine becomes “hot”, it automatically switches to methane. If the methane tank empties, the vehicle reverts back to petrol.
This poo-powered car is capable to reach a top speed of 114mph, running 5.3 miles on a cubic meter of biogas, which means that just one sewage works could save 19,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The gas is produced through anaerobic digestion, where bugs starved of oxygen break down biodegradable material to generate methane. ‘Biomethane cars could be just as important as electric cars, and the water regulator Ofwat should promote the generation of as much biogas as possible through sewage works in the fight against climate change,’ said Lord Rupert Redesdale, chairman of The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On-Board Solar Panel Powers Bike
On-Board Solar Panel Powers Bike
Dubbed “Solar Bike Fujin”, the solar-powered electric bike has an assisted travel range of 220km on a single charge and it can be used on public roads.
A Japanese company called Hama Zero has recently developed a new electric bike, powered by the electricity produced using an on-board solar panel.
Reaching a top speed of about 72km/h, the bike is powered by a 940W/h lithium-ion battery which stores the energy and has a weight of just 42kgs (including the solar panel placed in a box at the back).
On rainy or cloudy days, Fujin has the possibility to charge its batteries from a home power socket and according to the company one charge costs around $0.02.
Dubbed “Solar Bike Fujin”, the solar-powered electric bike has an assisted travel range of 220km on a single charge and it can be used on public roads.
A Japanese company called Hama Zero has recently developed a new electric bike, powered by the electricity produced using an on-board solar panel.
Reaching a top speed of about 72km/h, the bike is powered by a 940W/h lithium-ion battery which stores the energy and has a weight of just 42kgs (including the solar panel placed in a box at the back).
On rainy or cloudy days, Fujin has the possibility to charge its batteries from a home power socket and according to the company one charge costs around $0.02.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Solar Power Production and "PETE"
Solar Power Production and "PETE"
Researchers at Stanford University found a new way to make solar power production more than twice as efficient compared to conventional methods.
According to the researchers, the new process excels at higher temperatures, compared to existing photovoltaic technology which becomes less efficient for that case. The process is dubbed ‘PETE’ (photon enhanced thermionic emission).
“This is really a conceptual breakthrough, a new energy conversion process, not just a new material or a slightly different tweak.It is actually something fundamentally different about how you can harvest energy,” said Nick Melosh, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, who led the research group.
Generally speaking, photovoltaic cells such as those used in rooftop solar panels convert the energy from photons to electricity by using a semiconducting material – silicon. The cells are capable to use a little portion of the light spectrum, with the rest just absorbing heat. This heat from unused sunlight and inefficiencies in the cells themselves account for a loss of more than 50 percent of the initial solar energy that reaches the cell.
The idea is to harvest this wasted heat energy so the solar cells could become much more efficient. To power heat-based conversion systems high temperatures are needed, but at higher temperatures, the solar cell’s efficiency rapidly decreases. Until today, nobody had come up with a method to combine photovoltaic and thermal conversion technologies.
The team of researchers have figured out how to made a semiconducting material able to use both heat and light to produce electricity. This thing is possible by coating a piece of that material with a thin layer of cesium – a metal.
“What we’ve demonstrated is a new physical process that is not based on standard photovoltaic mechanisms, but can give you a photovoltaic-like response at very high temperatures. In fact, it works better at higher temperatures. The higher the better.” Melosh said.
The high temperatures at which PETE performs (over 200 degrees C) are perfect for producing usable high temperature waste heat. The team also said that if PETE would be combined with a thermal conversion cycle, it could make solar cells reach even a 60% efficiency .
Researchers at Stanford University found a new way to make solar power production more than twice as efficient compared to conventional methods.
According to the researchers, the new process excels at higher temperatures, compared to existing photovoltaic technology which becomes less efficient for that case. The process is dubbed ‘PETE’ (photon enhanced thermionic emission).
“This is really a conceptual breakthrough, a new energy conversion process, not just a new material or a slightly different tweak.It is actually something fundamentally different about how you can harvest energy,” said Nick Melosh, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, who led the research group.
Generally speaking, photovoltaic cells such as those used in rooftop solar panels convert the energy from photons to electricity by using a semiconducting material – silicon. The cells are capable to use a little portion of the light spectrum, with the rest just absorbing heat. This heat from unused sunlight and inefficiencies in the cells themselves account for a loss of more than 50 percent of the initial solar energy that reaches the cell.
The idea is to harvest this wasted heat energy so the solar cells could become much more efficient. To power heat-based conversion systems high temperatures are needed, but at higher temperatures, the solar cell’s efficiency rapidly decreases. Until today, nobody had come up with a method to combine photovoltaic and thermal conversion technologies.
The team of researchers have figured out how to made a semiconducting material able to use both heat and light to produce electricity. This thing is possible by coating a piece of that material with a thin layer of cesium – a metal.
“What we’ve demonstrated is a new physical process that is not based on standard photovoltaic mechanisms, but can give you a photovoltaic-like response at very high temperatures. In fact, it works better at higher temperatures. The higher the better.” Melosh said.
The high temperatures at which PETE performs (over 200 degrees C) are perfect for producing usable high temperature waste heat. The team also said that if PETE would be combined with a thermal conversion cycle, it could make solar cells reach even a 60% efficiency .
NASCAR’s “Tricky Triangle” Adds a New Trick: Solar Power
NASCAR’s “Tricky Triangle” Adds a New Trick: Solar Power
Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway, known to NASCAR fans as the “Tricky Triangle” for its unusual layout, is now home to a gigantic 40,000 panel solar power installation. The new solar array broke ground last year and just went online this week. It is expected to generate about 72 million kilowatt hours of clean power over a 20-year lifespan, and it is believed to be the largest solar installation at a sports facility in the world.
The new solar array will offset more electricity than the raceway uses, leaving enough left over to power about 1,000 homes. The track’s owner, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, sees the $18 million investment in solar energy as a potential profit center for the facility, and he foresees the potential for future expansion. If he can make it work, don’t be surprised to see solar panels sprouting up at other points on the NASCAR circuit in the near future.
Sports and Renewable Energy in the Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains region is a sports paradise, and the high profile of Pocono Raceway’s solar installation may touch off a surge of interest in renewable energy by other recreation facilities in the area. The owner of one ski resort, Camelback Mountain Resort, has already taken steps to push wind power front and center as a renewable power source, anticipating demand not only from his resort but as an industrywide trend. With Pennsylvanians facing an ever-mounting pile of damage caused to the state’s natural resources by fossil fuel harvesting, including the decades-old Centralia coal mine fire and the impacts of natural gas drilling, sports facility owners may be betting on sustainable energy as a selling point that attracts and keeps loyal customers.
NASCAR and Sustainability
As for NASCAR, the organization is out to prove that even an industry that burns fuel as its raison d’etre can take some steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources and reduce its use of toxic chemicals. Some of the measures include using LEED standards in new construction, developing alternative fuels, and introducing hybrid vehicles. In April NASCAR launched a tie-in with Office Depot, which purchased EarthEra renewable energy credits to offset a race at the Phoenix International Raceway, and it has introduced a tree planting program. NASCAR is also working with the U.S. EPA to reach out to fans and is encouraging top drivers like Jeff Gordon speak out on behalf of hybrid cars (yes, he drives one) and other sustainability issues.
Written by Tina Casey
Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway, known to NASCAR fans as the “Tricky Triangle” for its unusual layout, is now home to a gigantic 40,000 panel solar power installation. The new solar array broke ground last year and just went online this week. It is expected to generate about 72 million kilowatt hours of clean power over a 20-year lifespan, and it is believed to be the largest solar installation at a sports facility in the world.
The new solar array will offset more electricity than the raceway uses, leaving enough left over to power about 1,000 homes. The track’s owner, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, sees the $18 million investment in solar energy as a potential profit center for the facility, and he foresees the potential for future expansion. If he can make it work, don’t be surprised to see solar panels sprouting up at other points on the NASCAR circuit in the near future.
Sports and Renewable Energy in the Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains region is a sports paradise, and the high profile of Pocono Raceway’s solar installation may touch off a surge of interest in renewable energy by other recreation facilities in the area. The owner of one ski resort, Camelback Mountain Resort, has already taken steps to push wind power front and center as a renewable power source, anticipating demand not only from his resort but as an industrywide trend. With Pennsylvanians facing an ever-mounting pile of damage caused to the state’s natural resources by fossil fuel harvesting, including the decades-old Centralia coal mine fire and the impacts of natural gas drilling, sports facility owners may be betting on sustainable energy as a selling point that attracts and keeps loyal customers.
NASCAR and Sustainability
As for NASCAR, the organization is out to prove that even an industry that burns fuel as its raison d’etre can take some steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources and reduce its use of toxic chemicals. Some of the measures include using LEED standards in new construction, developing alternative fuels, and introducing hybrid vehicles. In April NASCAR launched a tie-in with Office Depot, which purchased EarthEra renewable energy credits to offset a race at the Phoenix International Raceway, and it has introduced a tree planting program. NASCAR is also working with the U.S. EPA to reach out to fans and is encouraging top drivers like Jeff Gordon speak out on behalf of hybrid cars (yes, he drives one) and other sustainability issues.
Written by Tina Casey
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY.
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY.
How many ordinary people, do you suppose, know what the troposphere is? How many voters could describe in detail the composition of the air we breathe? How many politicians could speak at length – without the help of office researchers – about the hydrologic cycle? How many good, hard-working Americans could discuss the dangers of persistent trade deficits, even if they knew what a deficit was?
Senate Democrats have decided against an effort to pass major energy and climate legislation this year. The votes weren’t in their favor they said. They’d offer energy-lite instead, which as I write this is legislation in limbo.
One of the problems of trying to pass an energy and climate bill is that, very likely, many people – from citizens to politicians – don’t get it. They don’t understand the core, simple principles behind global warming science or the economic problems of energy dependency. They're uneducated as well about basic earth sciences and some very simple economic mechanisms.
Obviously, politicians, advocacy, industry groups and industry itself wanting to move the nation to a low carbon, energy independent future, will have to regroup and try again. The trouble with passing significant climate and energy legislation – as well as getting people to voluntarily control their energy and emissions habits – may be caused by poor continuous education. By “continuous education” I mean the process of continuously reminding people of things they don’t know or may have known in the past but have forgotten.
How many know how thin the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere where we live, and where most greenhouse gases are accumulating, actually is? (At the most 10 miles.) How many people understand how emissions, such as carbon dioxide, are removed from the air? How many people appreciate the importance of trees in this regard? On energy, how many understand that spending more money on imported goods (like oil) rather than receiving money from the sale of exported goods (of any kind) means that the dollars earned here are leaving the nation at a greater rate than they are coming in. (Our trade deficit is a drainpipe for dollars. Most of that drainpipe is filled with dollars for oil.)
Most people probably learned a great deal about earth sciences and the environment in the 8th grade but may have forgotten. Many probably learned about economics in college but have forgotten as well. Continuously educating people – reminding people of things they many have already learned before as well as educating people who never had the opportunity to learn those things – may be the best way to overcome the resistance to efforts to change the nation’s (and the world’s) emissions and energy habits.
Most people should be able to answer some simple questions. Where does the exhaust of power plants, cars, factories, even ourselves, go? If we remove nature’s ability to extract carbon dioxide from air, such as by cutting down too many trees, won’t that seemly harmless gas build up over time? If we’ve changed the composition of the atmosphere can’t we expect some changes in the climate as well? Where does our oil, coal and natural gas come from? How many dollars per day are leaving the country never to return?
Perhaps in the next push to get climate and energy legislation passed, politicians and supporting groups should be more teachers than leaders and advocates. The process of education shouldn’t be a one time effort. On climate and energy, as well as a host of other subjects, education has to be continuous and made easy to understand. What we learned in 8th grade needs to revisited from time to time.
HostGator review
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
How many ordinary people, do you suppose, know what the troposphere is? How many voters could describe in detail the composition of the air we breathe? How many politicians could speak at length – without the help of office researchers – about the hydrologic cycle? How many good, hard-working Americans could discuss the dangers of persistent trade deficits, even if they knew what a deficit was?
Senate Democrats have decided against an effort to pass major energy and climate legislation this year. The votes weren’t in their favor they said. They’d offer energy-lite instead, which as I write this is legislation in limbo.
One of the problems of trying to pass an energy and climate bill is that, very likely, many people – from citizens to politicians – don’t get it. They don’t understand the core, simple principles behind global warming science or the economic problems of energy dependency. They're uneducated as well about basic earth sciences and some very simple economic mechanisms.
Obviously, politicians, advocacy, industry groups and industry itself wanting to move the nation to a low carbon, energy independent future, will have to regroup and try again. The trouble with passing significant climate and energy legislation – as well as getting people to voluntarily control their energy and emissions habits – may be caused by poor continuous education. By “continuous education” I mean the process of continuously reminding people of things they don’t know or may have known in the past but have forgotten.
How many know how thin the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere where we live, and where most greenhouse gases are accumulating, actually is? (At the most 10 miles.) How many people understand how emissions, such as carbon dioxide, are removed from the air? How many people appreciate the importance of trees in this regard? On energy, how many understand that spending more money on imported goods (like oil) rather than receiving money from the sale of exported goods (of any kind) means that the dollars earned here are leaving the nation at a greater rate than they are coming in. (Our trade deficit is a drainpipe for dollars. Most of that drainpipe is filled with dollars for oil.)
Most people probably learned a great deal about earth sciences and the environment in the 8th grade but may have forgotten. Many probably learned about economics in college but have forgotten as well. Continuously educating people – reminding people of things they many have already learned before as well as educating people who never had the opportunity to learn those things – may be the best way to overcome the resistance to efforts to change the nation’s (and the world’s) emissions and energy habits.
Most people should be able to answer some simple questions. Where does the exhaust of power plants, cars, factories, even ourselves, go? If we remove nature’s ability to extract carbon dioxide from air, such as by cutting down too many trees, won’t that seemly harmless gas build up over time? If we’ve changed the composition of the atmosphere can’t we expect some changes in the climate as well? Where does our oil, coal and natural gas come from? How many dollars per day are leaving the country never to return?
Perhaps in the next push to get climate and energy legislation passed, politicians and supporting groups should be more teachers than leaders and advocates. The process of education shouldn’t be a one time effort. On climate and energy, as well as a host of other subjects, education has to be continuous and made easy to understand. What we learned in 8th grade needs to revisited from time to time.
HostGator review
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Monday, August 2, 2010
World’s largest wind energy center breaks ground in California
World’s largest wind energy center breaks ground in California
The largest wind energy project will soon rise in Kern County, California as Terra-Gen Power began construction of the 3,000-megawatt Alta Wind Energy Center.
Comprising of a portfolio of wind energy facilities, the wind center will dwarf the 781.5 MW Roscoe Wind Farm in Texas, which currently holds the record for the largest wind generating capacity in the world.
A project under the Alta wind center is the 800-MW Alta-Oak Creek Mojave project, which consists of 320 wind turbines. The wind farm is expected to be completed in early 2011.
The Alta wind center will generate enough wind energy to sustain the electricity needs of 1.1 million people, which is roughly the equivalent of 275,000 Californian homes. Southern California Edison already purchased 1,550 MW of the energy generated by the wind center under a power purchase agreement signed in 2006.
Upon completion, the project will also increase California’s installed wind energy capacity by 25 percent and will represent 10 percent of the renewable power purchases required for the state’s regulated utilities. The state’s renewable portfolio standard mandates utilities to source 33 percent of their energy supply from renewable by 2020.
Terra-Gen expects the Alta project to offset more than 52 million metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of removing 446,000 vehicles from the road – and conserve over 888 million gallons of water annually.
More than 3,000 jobs will be created during the manufacturing, construction and operational stages of the project, increasing California’s wind industry-related jobs by 20 percent. The project will also inject $1.2 billion in Kern County’s local economy.
“[Alta Wind Energy Center] will create a record-breaking amount of domestic wind energy, securing America’s energy independence while protecting our natural resources for future generations,” said Jim Pagano, chief executive of Terra-Gen Power.
"Having the world's largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most,” added Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California.
The Alta Wind Energy Center will be equipped with nearly 600 wind turbines, 190 of which will be provided by Vestas-American Wind Technology. Amounting to 570 MW of wind energy, this is the largest wind turbine order that Vestas received for a single site.
Terra-Gen already secured over $1.5 billion in financing for the wind project through a variety of funding efforts, including a construction financing round, a construction bridge loan facility, and ancillary credit facilities.
By Nuel Navarrete
The largest wind energy project will soon rise in Kern County, California as Terra-Gen Power began construction of the 3,000-megawatt Alta Wind Energy Center.
Comprising of a portfolio of wind energy facilities, the wind center will dwarf the 781.5 MW Roscoe Wind Farm in Texas, which currently holds the record for the largest wind generating capacity in the world.
A project under the Alta wind center is the 800-MW Alta-Oak Creek Mojave project, which consists of 320 wind turbines. The wind farm is expected to be completed in early 2011.
The Alta wind center will generate enough wind energy to sustain the electricity needs of 1.1 million people, which is roughly the equivalent of 275,000 Californian homes. Southern California Edison already purchased 1,550 MW of the energy generated by the wind center under a power purchase agreement signed in 2006.
Upon completion, the project will also increase California’s installed wind energy capacity by 25 percent and will represent 10 percent of the renewable power purchases required for the state’s regulated utilities. The state’s renewable portfolio standard mandates utilities to source 33 percent of their energy supply from renewable by 2020.
Terra-Gen expects the Alta project to offset more than 52 million metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of removing 446,000 vehicles from the road – and conserve over 888 million gallons of water annually.
More than 3,000 jobs will be created during the manufacturing, construction and operational stages of the project, increasing California’s wind industry-related jobs by 20 percent. The project will also inject $1.2 billion in Kern County’s local economy.
“[Alta Wind Energy Center] will create a record-breaking amount of domestic wind energy, securing America’s energy independence while protecting our natural resources for future generations,” said Jim Pagano, chief executive of Terra-Gen Power.
"Having the world's largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most,” added Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California.
The Alta Wind Energy Center will be equipped with nearly 600 wind turbines, 190 of which will be provided by Vestas-American Wind Technology. Amounting to 570 MW of wind energy, this is the largest wind turbine order that Vestas received for a single site.
Terra-Gen already secured over $1.5 billion in financing for the wind project through a variety of funding efforts, including a construction financing round, a construction bridge loan facility, and ancillary credit facilities.
By Nuel Navarrete
U.S. wind industry continues poor market performance in 2010
U.S. wind industry continues poor market performance in 2010
The wind industry in the United States has remained in a slump with only 700 megawatts of new generating capacity installed during this year’s second quarter, the American Wind Energy Association reported.
Total wind power installations in 2010 only totaled 1,239 MW – a drop of 57 percent from 2008 levels and 71 percent from 2009 levels.
Texas was the most active state during this trying time, as Iberdrola Renewables installed the 201.6 MW Penascal II wind project in Kenedy County. The state also plans to add an additional 200 MW in its wind generation portfolio from the E.ON Climate and Renewables’ Papalote Creek II wind project.
Aside from wind installations, new manufacturing activity also dropped from the past couple of years, with only two new manufacturing facilities online in the first half of 2010, compared with seven in 2008 and five in 2009.
The wind industry’s struggle began in the start of the year when it only saw 539 MW of new wind installations in the first quarter – its lowest figure since 2007.
The association pinpointed the continued lack of long-term market signals, as well as low power demand and price, as culprits for the industry’s decline. It revealed that even with more than 5,500 MW of wind projects under construction and more in the pipeline for the second half of 2010, wind installations will still fall to 25 percent to 45 percent below 2009 installations.
A strong national renewable energy standard is now a must to attract investors and stabilize the wind industry, the association said.
“A [renewable energy standard] would stimulate utilities to buy wind power and conclude power purchase agreements, get the demand locomotive going again, and work in tandem with Recovery Act funding to produce spectacular results as seen in 2009,” it added.
“Without strong, supportive policy like a [renewable energy standard] to spur demand, investment, and jobs, manufacturing facilities will go idle and lay off workers if Congress doesn’t act now - before time runs out this session," Denise Bode, chief executive of the association, stressed.
The wind industry almost matched natural gas in new installations as compared with the previous two years. Furthermore, the two sectors make up approximately 90 percent of all new annual generating capacity installed over the past five years.
More coal and natural gas facilities have been established than wind farms and other renewable sources to date.
By Nuel Navarrete
The wind industry in the United States has remained in a slump with only 700 megawatts of new generating capacity installed during this year’s second quarter, the American Wind Energy Association reported.
Total wind power installations in 2010 only totaled 1,239 MW – a drop of 57 percent from 2008 levels and 71 percent from 2009 levels.
Texas was the most active state during this trying time, as Iberdrola Renewables installed the 201.6 MW Penascal II wind project in Kenedy County. The state also plans to add an additional 200 MW in its wind generation portfolio from the E.ON Climate and Renewables’ Papalote Creek II wind project.
Aside from wind installations, new manufacturing activity also dropped from the past couple of years, with only two new manufacturing facilities online in the first half of 2010, compared with seven in 2008 and five in 2009.
The wind industry’s struggle began in the start of the year when it only saw 539 MW of new wind installations in the first quarter – its lowest figure since 2007.
The association pinpointed the continued lack of long-term market signals, as well as low power demand and price, as culprits for the industry’s decline. It revealed that even with more than 5,500 MW of wind projects under construction and more in the pipeline for the second half of 2010, wind installations will still fall to 25 percent to 45 percent below 2009 installations.
A strong national renewable energy standard is now a must to attract investors and stabilize the wind industry, the association said.
“A [renewable energy standard] would stimulate utilities to buy wind power and conclude power purchase agreements, get the demand locomotive going again, and work in tandem with Recovery Act funding to produce spectacular results as seen in 2009,” it added.
“Without strong, supportive policy like a [renewable energy standard] to spur demand, investment, and jobs, manufacturing facilities will go idle and lay off workers if Congress doesn’t act now - before time runs out this session," Denise Bode, chief executive of the association, stressed.
The wind industry almost matched natural gas in new installations as compared with the previous two years. Furthermore, the two sectors make up approximately 90 percent of all new annual generating capacity installed over the past five years.
More coal and natural gas facilities have been established than wind farms and other renewable sources to date.
By Nuel Navarrete
Penn State scientists use insect eyes for better solar cells
Penn State scientists use insect eyes for better solar cells
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have taken inspiration from the eyes of a blowfly to enhance the efficiency of next generation solar cells.
The team is looking into the corneas of blowflies to manufacture biomimetic surfaces, or surfaces that imitate the properties of biological tissues. These surfaces can be used for a variety of applications, including solar cells.
According to the researchers, blowfly eyes can be used in the manufacture of solar cells. The flies have compound eyes that are roughly hemispherical, but within that half sphere, the surface is covered with individual macroscale, hexagonal eyes with nanoscale features.
“These eyes are perfect for making solar cells because they would collect more sunlight from a larger area rather than just light that falls directly on a flat surface,” said Akhlesha Lakhtakia, Godfrey Binder professor of engineering science and mechanics.
However, the surface must retain the overall design in sufficient detail in order to work successfully in a manufactured product. Thus, Mr. Lakhtakia and his colleagues developed a method to create macroscale molds or dies that retain nanoscale features.
The researchers used arrays of nine blowfly eyes coated with 250 nanometers of nickel. They fixed the corneas on a glass substrate and filled the back with polydimethylsiloxane, a silicon-based organic polymer, so that the nickel they apply will not seep behind the eyes.
They then deposited nickel on the surface by thermally evaporating the material that forms the coating in a vacuum chamber. The object receiving the coating is attached to a holder and rotated about once every two seconds.
This process created a master template half a millimeter thick, which can be used either as a mold or as a die to stamp the pattern. The scientists aim to use the master template to create other dies and molds, as well as tile the templates to imprint large areas.
The team intends to expand their template to include 30 blowfly corneas. Once they have enough templates, they can tile them together and create much larger surfaces, which can be used to build solar cells.
By Katrice R. Jalbuena
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have taken inspiration from the eyes of a blowfly to enhance the efficiency of next generation solar cells.
According to the researchers, blowfly eyes can be used in the manufacture of solar cells. The flies have compound eyes that are roughly hemispherical, but within that half sphere, the surface is covered with individual macroscale, hexagonal eyes with nanoscale features.
“These eyes are perfect for making solar cells because they would collect more sunlight from a larger area rather than just light that falls directly on a flat surface,” said Akhlesha Lakhtakia, Godfrey Binder professor of engineering science and mechanics.
However, the surface must retain the overall design in sufficient detail in order to work successfully in a manufactured product. Thus, Mr. Lakhtakia and his colleagues developed a method to create macroscale molds or dies that retain nanoscale features.
The researchers used arrays of nine blowfly eyes coated with 250 nanometers of nickel. They fixed the corneas on a glass substrate and filled the back with polydimethylsiloxane, a silicon-based organic polymer, so that the nickel they apply will not seep behind the eyes.
They then deposited nickel on the surface by thermally evaporating the material that forms the coating in a vacuum chamber. The object receiving the coating is attached to a holder and rotated about once every two seconds.
This process created a master template half a millimeter thick, which can be used either as a mold or as a die to stamp the pattern. The scientists aim to use the master template to create other dies and molds, as well as tile the templates to imprint large areas.
The team intends to expand their template to include 30 blowfly corneas. Once they have enough templates, they can tile them together and create much larger surfaces, which can be used to build solar cells.
By Katrice R. Jalbuena
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient
Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient
Prototype solar cell:
Role of electrode:
Producing power from solar cells is the key responsibility of electrodes and the research team found that the unstable chemical coating started leaking around the circuitry of the solar cell and reduced production capacity. They developed a new coating which solved this problem.
New polymer coating:
The team led by David Rider, consisting of Michael J. Brett, Jillian Buriak from U of A-NINT has been successful in developing a durable and longer lasting coating of polymer for the electrode which stopped the chemical leaking that reduced the production capacity. This new polymer coated electrode makes the solar cell work at high capacity continuously.
Success story:
At the time David Rider and colleagues presented their research paper in Advanced Functional Materials on June 22, 2010, the solar prototype cell had performed already for 500 hours at high capacity. In the highly competitive field of plastic solar-cell technology, this research by U of A-NINT team is considered to be a great achievement. And the cell continued to work for 8 months altogether before being damaged in transit between laboratories.
Future:
The future looks bright for hybrid organic solar cells. In Rider’s words “Inexpensive, lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up, will change the solar energy industry”.
Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic solar panels and to produce them in large scale has been the long time goal for the scientists as the cost of ultra high-purity silicon used in the traditionally manufactured solar cells is quite prohibitive. These are the solar cells of future – to be available to common man easily. A University of Alberta-NINT team has been focusing on this for quite some time.
Prototype solar cell:A multi-disciplinary team has been successful in developing a prototype solar panel. It was operating at high capacity for about 10 hours. After that, problems developed within which reduced the efficiency of solar cells. They found that electrode’s chemical coating was the root cause of the problem. For past few months, work has been going on to correct this problem.
Producing power from solar cells is the key responsibility of electrodes and the research team found that the unstable chemical coating started leaking around the circuitry of the solar cell and reduced production capacity. They developed a new coating which solved this problem.
New polymer coating:
The team led by David Rider, consisting of Michael J. Brett, Jillian Buriak from U of A-NINT has been successful in developing a durable and longer lasting coating of polymer for the electrode which stopped the chemical leaking that reduced the production capacity. This new polymer coated electrode makes the solar cell work at high capacity continuously.
Success story:
At the time David Rider and colleagues presented their research paper in Advanced Functional Materials on June 22, 2010, the solar prototype cell had performed already for 500 hours at high capacity. In the highly competitive field of plastic solar-cell technology, this research by U of A-NINT team is considered to be a great achievement. And the cell continued to work for 8 months altogether before being damaged in transit between laboratories.
Future:
The future looks bright for hybrid organic solar cells. In Rider’s words “Inexpensive, lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up, will change the solar energy industry”.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Big Money Involved In Cap-and-Trade Bill
Big Money Involved In Cap-and-Trade Bill
One of the most controversial and hot-button topics in Washington over the last year has been the cap-and-trade bill. The last few decades have seen a great awakening of American consciousness to the need for a greener planet. After years of wild excess and reckless consumption, even the average American consumer is beginning to realize that we must care for our resources. Regardless of whether an individual believes fully in the merits of global warming, no one can intelligently argue against the need to care for Mother Earth.With environmental awareness becoming more widespread, it is now beginning to find a strong presence on Capitol Hill, as Washington lawmakers begin introducing, debating, and passing bills that promise to protect and sustain our environment for generations to come. The cap-and-trade bill is one such development in Washington. Basically, the cap-and-trade bill seeks to cut down drastically on the amount of carbon emissions companies are able to release into the atmosphere. The method of regulating these companies is as follows. Each year a company will be allotted a certain number of credits that will dictate how many carbon emissions it can legally release into the atmosphere. The number of credits a company receives will be based on the size and industry of the company. These credits can then be traded or sold to other companies. For example, let’s assume that company A has 10 credits for the year, but they run a very clean operation and they project to only use 6. Company B has 10 credits as well, but they have not developed systems to control carbon emissions; thus, they use all 10 of their credits in 6 months. Now they will have to buy company A’s remaining 4 credits, and if they need more, they will have to find more companies selling credits. This will cost company B a lot of money.
Therefore, the cap-and-trade bill awards companies that are taking proactive steps to cut down on carbon emissions, and it punishes companies that are not. The fundamental thought behind the bill is that large corporations are driven by profit incentive. If you place a profit incentive in front of them in relation to operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, you greatly increase the probability of a company fully cooperating. You hit them where it hurts! (which is, of course, the company pocketbook) Now, the cap-and-trade bill will make for very interesting developments in the nuclear energy and renewable energy industry because some companies are far ahead of the game in terms of operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, and other companies are far behind the curve. As the bill is passed and enacted, the companies that are already operating in a green manner will be able to continue to invest its capital in the direction of business expansion, while companies behind the curve will have to direct large amounts of capital toward restructuring business operations in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Thus, the bill will be great for some companies, and not so great for others. Excelon is an example of a company already ahead of the curve. The cap-and-trade bill will be very good for its growth because, similar to other companies ahead of the curve, it will be able to sell many of its credits while simultaneously continuing to expand its business operations. The cap-and-trade bill has already passed the House of Representatives, and now it will be picked up for debate in the Senate this fall. There is big money involved in the final version of the bill as it currently stands. Currently, there is an $18 billion loan guarantee in the cap-and-trade bill for companies in the nuclear power and renewable energy industries. These government contracts are expected to be very lucrative for a number of companies. If the bill is passed with this loan guarantee in place, it would be wise for investors to track which companies are able to position themselves to land these projects because it will most likely drive a company’s stock up quite nicely. Many companies in the nuclear power industry also have a heavy international presence, which means their bottom line each year is very exposed to volatile moves in the currency market. A Forex broker can oftentimes provide more information on how companies hedge against this volatility in order to protect company profits.
One of the most controversial and hot-button topics in Washington over the last year has been the cap-and-trade bill. The last few decades have seen a great awakening of American consciousness to the need for a greener planet. After years of wild excess and reckless consumption, even the average American consumer is beginning to realize that we must care for our resources. Regardless of whether an individual believes fully in the merits of global warming, no one can intelligently argue against the need to care for Mother Earth.With environmental awareness becoming more widespread, it is now beginning to find a strong presence on Capitol Hill, as Washington lawmakers begin introducing, debating, and passing bills that promise to protect and sustain our environment for generations to come. The cap-and-trade bill is one such development in Washington. Basically, the cap-and-trade bill seeks to cut down drastically on the amount of carbon emissions companies are able to release into the atmosphere. The method of regulating these companies is as follows. Each year a company will be allotted a certain number of credits that will dictate how many carbon emissions it can legally release into the atmosphere. The number of credits a company receives will be based on the size and industry of the company. These credits can then be traded or sold to other companies. For example, let’s assume that company A has 10 credits for the year, but they run a very clean operation and they project to only use 6. Company B has 10 credits as well, but they have not developed systems to control carbon emissions; thus, they use all 10 of their credits in 6 months. Now they will have to buy company A’s remaining 4 credits, and if they need more, they will have to find more companies selling credits. This will cost company B a lot of money.
Therefore, the cap-and-trade bill awards companies that are taking proactive steps to cut down on carbon emissions, and it punishes companies that are not. The fundamental thought behind the bill is that large corporations are driven by profit incentive. If you place a profit incentive in front of them in relation to operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, you greatly increase the probability of a company fully cooperating. You hit them where it hurts! (which is, of course, the company pocketbook) Now, the cap-and-trade bill will make for very interesting developments in the nuclear energy and renewable energy industry because some companies are far ahead of the game in terms of operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, and other companies are far behind the curve. As the bill is passed and enacted, the companies that are already operating in a green manner will be able to continue to invest its capital in the direction of business expansion, while companies behind the curve will have to direct large amounts of capital toward restructuring business operations in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Thus, the bill will be great for some companies, and not so great for others. Excelon is an example of a company already ahead of the curve. The cap-and-trade bill will be very good for its growth because, similar to other companies ahead of the curve, it will be able to sell many of its credits while simultaneously continuing to expand its business operations. The cap-and-trade bill has already passed the House of Representatives, and now it will be picked up for debate in the Senate this fall. There is big money involved in the final version of the bill as it currently stands. Currently, there is an $18 billion loan guarantee in the cap-and-trade bill for companies in the nuclear power and renewable energy industries. These government contracts are expected to be very lucrative for a number of companies. If the bill is passed with this loan guarantee in place, it would be wise for investors to track which companies are able to position themselves to land these projects because it will most likely drive a company’s stock up quite nicely. Many companies in the nuclear power industry also have a heavy international presence, which means their bottom line each year is very exposed to volatile moves in the currency market. A Forex broker can oftentimes provide more information on how companies hedge against this volatility in order to protect company profits.
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
There has been research work going on to increase the efficiency of the cost-effective amorphous solar panels. TU Delft has been the center where this research work is being developed. The research will directly help in increasing the efficiency of amorphous solar cells – from a 7% to a 9%. Crystalline silicon is most commonly used in silicon solar cells which increases the production cost quite significantly. There is a more economical type of solar panels using amorphous silicon using rather thin films of silicon. The production cost is comparatively less with these panels.
The disadvantage of amorphous solar cells is that they do not have as high a yield as the cells that use crystalline silicon. Compared to the yield of about 18% from the crystalline silicon, the amorphous silicon cells have been yielding only about 7% until now.
Staebler-Wronski effect:
The reason for the comparatively low yield of amorphous silicon panels is because they are suffering from Staebler-Wronski effect which reduces the yield from 10% to 7% in the very first hours of sun exposure. Not much has been known about why this effect occurs and that too why with the amorphous silicon solar panels.
Research on amorphous silicon solar cells:
Gijs van Elzakker has been doing research on amorphous solar cells and presented his research paper for his Ph D on this subject on July 6, 2010. He focussed on how to make the amorphous cells give a higher yield. He realized overcoming the Staebler-Wronski effect will go a long way in improving the performance of amorphous solar panels.
Mitigating the Staebler-Wronski effect:
The thin silicon film layers in the amorphous solar panels are made of silane gas (SiH4). Van Elzakker found out that Staebler-Wronski effect can be alleviated by diluting the silane gas with hydrogen at an optimum ratio. In Van Elzakker’s words, “We showed that the influence of the Staebler-Wronski effect can be considerably reduced in this way.
Applying findings in production:
Inventux Technologies, a German Company, has already started utilizing Gijs van Elzakker’s findings in production. Thanks to this principle, a yield of 9% is expected from deploying the amorphous silicon solar panels the way Van Elzakker visualized.
Monday, July 26, 2010
BIG CLIMATE BILL NIXED FOR THE YEAR.
BIG CLIMATE BILL NIXED FOR THE YEAR.
A tenfold growth in solar is expected in the next five years.
Do we really need a massive climate bill?
You’d think this would be the perfect year to enact significant climate and energy legislation here in the US. The Deepwater Horizon mess in the Gulf of Mexico has rallied more troops against oil, and the hot, hot, really hot summer in much of the country has likely turned many global warming deniers into believers.
But there will be no major climate and energy bill this year. It’s an election year and Senate Democrats are watching their backsides and their cushy seats afraid the Tea Party will take them away. The House passed a comprehensive energy and climate bill last year.
Senate Democratic leaders instead say they’ll be offering a bill that’s like one of those flavored bottled waters: mostly water with a hint of taste. Supposedly in the bill there’s a provision for funding more home energy efficiency improvements (good idea) and another to promote natural gas vehicles. (If these Senators hadn’t noticed, the Obama administration is pushing for electric drive, not natural gas. Car builders aren’t particularly interested in pressurized gaseous fuels nowadays.)
Don’t be surprised if this bill is headed for the circular file.
So those cap and trade opponents need no longer worry. Cap and trade is gone for this year. Obama will have only 2011 to do something about climate change. He wouldn’t attempt such a contentious issue in his reelection year, 2012.
However – going out on a limb here – I wonder if a massive climate and energy bill is even necessary. The purpose of a big bill would be to move the nation towards cleaner energies in a big way. Maybe lots of little bits of legislation, the kind that no one beyond Washington notices, but often get bipartisan support, would get the job done. Further, maybe current laws and initiatives already on the books at federal and state levels are enough to do the energy cleanup job, at least for the next few years.
For example in a small bit of legislation, both houses of Congress have approved in committee bipartisan support for bills designed to jump start the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the country. The legislation “echoes recommendations put forward by the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale,” according to a press release from the group.
There’s some proof as well that relying on existing federal and state tools can build more clean energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gases. A new study from the World Resources Institute (WRI) concludes that, “if they act aggressively, and if US EPA’s authority is preserved, the federal government and states can put the United States on a near-term course to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but longer-term reductions remain uncertain.”
WRI goes on to say that “The analysis finds that if the federal government and states move aggressively through 2016, agencies—chief among them the US EPA and the Departments of Transportation and Energy – could successfully use existing authorities to put the country on a trajectory to meet the Obama Administration’s reduction target “in the range of” 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.” Moving aggressively is key and the WRI considers three scenarios, each representing a level of technical feasibility and corresponding regulatory ambition by federal agencies and state governments.
The WRI feels that after 2016 additional tools to cut emissions will be needed.
The marketplace has been responding well to existing federal and state incentives as well as state renewable energy portfolio standards to build clean energy capacity and cut emissions. Solar energy is the poster child here.
Solarbuzz, a globally recognized market research-based business focused on the solar energy and photovoltaic industries, says in a new report that the US solar market is on track to grow tenfold by 2014. Within the next five years, Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5 and 5.5 gigawatts, a rate of growth of about 30 percent per year. Even in a slow economic environment the US solar market grew 36% in 2009: Pretty good for bad times.
Solarbuzz thanks current incentives and mandates for growth in the industry.
It shouldn’t be very hard to pass new legislation here and there to keep the green energy industry expanding. Even states whose congressmen are opposed to sweeping national legislation are willing to vote yes on bills that help them at home.
Links:
World Resources Institute (WRI):
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action.
Solar Buzz:
United States PV Market 2010 (fee)
http://www.solarbuzz.com/USGridConnect.htm
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
A tenfold growth in solar is expected in the next five years.
Do we really need a massive climate bill?
You’d think this would be the perfect year to enact significant climate and energy legislation here in the US. The Deepwater Horizon mess in the Gulf of Mexico has rallied more troops against oil, and the hot, hot, really hot summer in much of the country has likely turned many global warming deniers into believers.
But there will be no major climate and energy bill this year. It’s an election year and Senate Democrats are watching their backsides and their cushy seats afraid the Tea Party will take them away. The House passed a comprehensive energy and climate bill last year.
Senate Democratic leaders instead say they’ll be offering a bill that’s like one of those flavored bottled waters: mostly water with a hint of taste. Supposedly in the bill there’s a provision for funding more home energy efficiency improvements (good idea) and another to promote natural gas vehicles. (If these Senators hadn’t noticed, the Obama administration is pushing for electric drive, not natural gas. Car builders aren’t particularly interested in pressurized gaseous fuels nowadays.)
Don’t be surprised if this bill is headed for the circular file.
So those cap and trade opponents need no longer worry. Cap and trade is gone for this year. Obama will have only 2011 to do something about climate change. He wouldn’t attempt such a contentious issue in his reelection year, 2012.
However – going out on a limb here – I wonder if a massive climate and energy bill is even necessary. The purpose of a big bill would be to move the nation towards cleaner energies in a big way. Maybe lots of little bits of legislation, the kind that no one beyond Washington notices, but often get bipartisan support, would get the job done. Further, maybe current laws and initiatives already on the books at federal and state levels are enough to do the energy cleanup job, at least for the next few years.
For example in a small bit of legislation, both houses of Congress have approved in committee bipartisan support for bills designed to jump start the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the country. The legislation “echoes recommendations put forward by the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale,” according to a press release from the group.
There’s some proof as well that relying on existing federal and state tools can build more clean energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gases. A new study from the World Resources Institute (WRI) concludes that, “if they act aggressively, and if US EPA’s authority is preserved, the federal government and states can put the United States on a near-term course to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but longer-term reductions remain uncertain.”
WRI goes on to say that “The analysis finds that if the federal government and states move aggressively through 2016, agencies—chief among them the US EPA and the Departments of Transportation and Energy – could successfully use existing authorities to put the country on a trajectory to meet the Obama Administration’s reduction target “in the range of” 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.” Moving aggressively is key and the WRI considers three scenarios, each representing a level of technical feasibility and corresponding regulatory ambition by federal agencies and state governments.
The WRI feels that after 2016 additional tools to cut emissions will be needed.
The marketplace has been responding well to existing federal and state incentives as well as state renewable energy portfolio standards to build clean energy capacity and cut emissions. Solar energy is the poster child here.
Solarbuzz, a globally recognized market research-based business focused on the solar energy and photovoltaic industries, says in a new report that the US solar market is on track to grow tenfold by 2014. Within the next five years, Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5 and 5.5 gigawatts, a rate of growth of about 30 percent per year. Even in a slow economic environment the US solar market grew 36% in 2009: Pretty good for bad times.
Solarbuzz thanks current incentives and mandates for growth in the industry.
It shouldn’t be very hard to pass new legislation here and there to keep the green energy industry expanding. Even states whose congressmen are opposed to sweeping national legislation are willing to vote yes on bills that help them at home.
Links:
World Resources Institute (WRI):
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action.
Solar Buzz:
United States PV Market 2010 (fee)
http://www.solarbuzz.com/USGridConnect.htm
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Friday, July 23, 2010
Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc.'s Green World Water™ Announces Website Launch
Green World Water™ Prepares to Sell Company's First Nuclear Desalination System
BOISE, Idaho, Jul 22, 2010 -- Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AEHI) today announced the launch of http://www.greenworld-h2o.com/. The site will be used to promote and sell commercial Green World Water(TM) nuclear desalination systems, some of which are poised to sell before the end of the year.
"We already had visitors to the site before its official launch, which is gratifying because we have a large number of countries that have expressed interest in our product and this site is now offering the additional information they need to make an informed decision," said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.
The site will be used to further explain the Green World Water product, but it also demonstrates exactly how a nuclear desalination system differs from any other, mainly coal, natural gas and wind. In every category nuclear has clear advantages in price, volume of clean water produced, cost to process water from the ocean and co-generation of electricity.
"It is exciting for us and to our potential clients that we can produce clean water from the ocean for as low as 35 cents per cubic meter. Other systems are doing the same thing, but with a cost between $2 and $12 per cubic meter. The great thing about nuclear desalination is that the sale of electricity from the same plant will actually pay for the cost of the water production," said Gillispie.
Green World Water desalination systems can process up to 400,000 cubic meters of clean water every day and use power generation to pump the water hundreds of miles inland, which will reduce, if not eliminate the problems of drought and dirty water in many parts of the world. That is enough water to fill a reservoir more than a mile wide, by 10 meters deep every month with clean water.
Green World Water will use 650 MWe or 1100 MWe reactors and through a partnership with Hyperion Power Generation, the company may soon add Hyperion's refrigerator-sized 25 MWe reactor to the list as well.
International drought conditions are creating havoc in many countries and according to the United Nations, it won't be long before one-third of the world's population will have little to no access to clean water. It is estimated that the problem will increase by 40 percent in the next 15 years.
About Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (http://www.alternateenergyholdings.com/) -- Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only independent nuclear power plant developer seeking to build new power plants in multiple non-nuclear states. Other projects include Energy Neutral(TM), which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (http://www.EnergyNeutralinc.com) Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and Green World Water(TM), which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation (http://www.GreenWorld-H2O.com), production of potable water and other suitable applications. AEHI China, headquartered in Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power.
The GWW™ System
• Nuclear + Desalination = Water & Energy
• Scalable to your needs
• Reactors available in 650 MWe & 1100MWe
• Built to international safety standards
• Lifetime fuel supply and support programs
• Modular design for future expansion
• U.S. design with Generation 3 safety features
• Zero carbon emissions
• Will last 60+ years with proper maintenance
• Pays for itself
• Green World Water™ has financing options
BOISE, Idaho, Jul 22, 2010 -- Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AEHI) today announced the launch of http://www.greenworld-h2o.com/. The site will be used to promote and sell commercial Green World Water(TM) nuclear desalination systems, some of which are poised to sell before the end of the year.
"We already had visitors to the site before its official launch, which is gratifying because we have a large number of countries that have expressed interest in our product and this site is now offering the additional information they need to make an informed decision," said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.
The site will be used to further explain the Green World Water product, but it also demonstrates exactly how a nuclear desalination system differs from any other, mainly coal, natural gas and wind. In every category nuclear has clear advantages in price, volume of clean water produced, cost to process water from the ocean and co-generation of electricity.
"It is exciting for us and to our potential clients that we can produce clean water from the ocean for as low as 35 cents per cubic meter. Other systems are doing the same thing, but with a cost between $2 and $12 per cubic meter. The great thing about nuclear desalination is that the sale of electricity from the same plant will actually pay for the cost of the water production," said Gillispie.
Green World Water desalination systems can process up to 400,000 cubic meters of clean water every day and use power generation to pump the water hundreds of miles inland, which will reduce, if not eliminate the problems of drought and dirty water in many parts of the world. That is enough water to fill a reservoir more than a mile wide, by 10 meters deep every month with clean water.
Green World Water will use 650 MWe or 1100 MWe reactors and through a partnership with Hyperion Power Generation, the company may soon add Hyperion's refrigerator-sized 25 MWe reactor to the list as well.
International drought conditions are creating havoc in many countries and according to the United Nations, it won't be long before one-third of the world's population will have little to no access to clean water. It is estimated that the problem will increase by 40 percent in the next 15 years.
About Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (http://www.alternateenergyholdings.com/) -- Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only independent nuclear power plant developer seeking to build new power plants in multiple non-nuclear states. Other projects include Energy Neutral(TM), which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (http://www.EnergyNeutralinc.com) Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and Green World Water(TM), which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation (http://www.GreenWorld-H2O.com), production of potable water and other suitable applications. AEHI China, headquartered in Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power.
The GWW™ System
• Nuclear + Desalination = Water & Energy
• Scalable to your needs
• Reactors available in 650 MWe & 1100MWe
• Built to international safety standards
• Lifetime fuel supply and support programs
• Modular design for future expansion
• U.S. design with Generation 3 safety features
• Zero carbon emissions
• Will last 60+ years with proper maintenance
• Pays for itself
• Green World Water™ has financing options
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
U.S. Army Dips a Toe in Wind Power Waters
The U.S. Army has just flipped the switch on its first wind power project, a single wind turbine at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah. That might sound like small potatoes but it’s a giant step forward for the U.S. military, which has been cautious about wind power primarily due to concerns over radar interference. The installation took more than five years to come to fruition, starting with an approval process in 2005.
Though the military has been reticent about wind power, it has been surging into a clean energy future on other fronts. For the past several years it has been moving rapidly to convert its operations to other forms of renewable energy such as solar and geothermal. That comes along with an aggressive push for energy conservation and biofuels, too, as well reducing the use of toxic chemicals and preserving habitats on Department of Defense lands.
Tooele Army Depot, Wind Power, and Solar Power
Tooele provides a pretty good illustration of the variety of future-oriented energy tactics that the military is pursuing at its many facilities. The single wind power turbine alone is expected to generate 1.5 megawatts annually, saving more than $200,000 in current electricity costs. Tooele is also installing passive solar heating walls on 11 buildings, and these perforated metal sheets are expected to save about $100,000 annually in heating costs. Meanwhile, last year the base won an award for a water conservation program that reduced usage by almost 100 million gallons annually.
Energy Independence for the U.S. Military
With the solar and wind installations, along with other conservation efforts, Tooele is already within shouting distance of 7.5% reliance on renewable energy, a federal goal that kicks in two years from now in 2013. The depot’s energy manager isn’t stopping there. He envisions more turbines, geothermal power, and other measures to make the base completely energy independent and self sustaining. As for drill baby drill, that’s nowhere in the picture.
Though the military has been reticent about wind power, it has been surging into a clean energy future on other fronts. For the past several years it has been moving rapidly to convert its operations to other forms of renewable energy such as solar and geothermal. That comes along with an aggressive push for energy conservation and biofuels, too, as well reducing the use of toxic chemicals and preserving habitats on Department of Defense lands.
Tooele Army Depot, Wind Power, and Solar Power
Tooele provides a pretty good illustration of the variety of future-oriented energy tactics that the military is pursuing at its many facilities. The single wind power turbine alone is expected to generate 1.5 megawatts annually, saving more than $200,000 in current electricity costs. Tooele is also installing passive solar heating walls on 11 buildings, and these perforated metal sheets are expected to save about $100,000 annually in heating costs. Meanwhile, last year the base won an award for a water conservation program that reduced usage by almost 100 million gallons annually.
Energy Independence for the U.S. Military
With the solar and wind installations, along with other conservation efforts, Tooele is already within shouting distance of 7.5% reliance on renewable energy, a federal goal that kicks in two years from now in 2013. The depot’s energy manager isn’t stopping there. He envisions more turbines, geothermal power, and other measures to make the base completely energy independent and self sustaining. As for drill baby drill, that’s nowhere in the picture.
More Power to Electronics Thanks to Nano-scale Wires
Today a long-standing electronic dream has become a reality thanks to research done by a team of scientists from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, supported by U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Producing superconducting nano-scale wires to facilitate faster and more powerful electronic devices has been the long-time ambition which had eluded achievement until now.
Difficulty conquered:
Until today superconductor’s coherence length size needed to be large and very thin wires were not successful superconductors. But the research has shown that small-size coherence lengths can be successfully used both within the layered copper-oxide superconductors and out-of-plane, the coherence length can be even less. The other plus point was that they worked in warmer temperatures, circumventing the costly cooling process.
Taking another step forward:
The Brookhaven team tried to transpose the same superconductivity onto a thin film material by etching the pattern of wires and create layered superconducting thin films. Using molecular beam epitaxy, they are building a material made of alternate copper-oxide layers and lanthanum and strontium. This technique has been successfully used previously to fabricate superconductivity-retaining thin films within one copper-oxide layer.
The new material spells success:
The team ‘etched’ thousands of loops in a pattern by using electron-beam lithography. All these loops of ‘nano-wires’ were only 25 nano-meter diameter width and 150-500 nano-meter long. These arrays with the loop pattern were cooled to below about 30K and were found superconducting which was shown by the electrical resistance shown by the arrays. They tried how the loop resistance will change with external magnetic fields.
With yet another plus quality:
Another feature that came to light which delighted the scientists was the fact that there was oscillation-type change in resistance with the introduction of external magnetic field. The large-amplitude-oscillation frequencies corresponded to the different units of magnetic field strength that were acting on the loops.
More useful than ever:
In Brookhaven Lab physicist, Bosovic’s words, “A material with such a discrete, switchable form of magneto-resistance — especially from the superconducting to the non-superconducting state — could be extremely useful for engineering new devices.” Ivan Bozovic and his team’s work – a result of German-Israeli cooperation – was funded by German Research Foundation with a scholarship grant by Israel Ministry of Science.
Hope for future:
This research can lead to understand the mechanism of superconductivity better which will lead to more advanced designs of new materials for many other practical applications.
Difficulty conquered:
Until today superconductor’s coherence length size needed to be large and very thin wires were not successful superconductors. But the research has shown that small-size coherence lengths can be successfully used both within the layered copper-oxide superconductors and out-of-plane, the coherence length can be even less. The other plus point was that they worked in warmer temperatures, circumventing the costly cooling process.
Taking another step forward:
The Brookhaven team tried to transpose the same superconductivity onto a thin film material by etching the pattern of wires and create layered superconducting thin films. Using molecular beam epitaxy, they are building a material made of alternate copper-oxide layers and lanthanum and strontium. This technique has been successfully used previously to fabricate superconductivity-retaining thin films within one copper-oxide layer.
The new material spells success:
The team ‘etched’ thousands of loops in a pattern by using electron-beam lithography. All these loops of ‘nano-wires’ were only 25 nano-meter diameter width and 150-500 nano-meter long. These arrays with the loop pattern were cooled to below about 30K and were found superconducting which was shown by the electrical resistance shown by the arrays. They tried how the loop resistance will change with external magnetic fields.
With yet another plus quality:
Another feature that came to light which delighted the scientists was the fact that there was oscillation-type change in resistance with the introduction of external magnetic field. The large-amplitude-oscillation frequencies corresponded to the different units of magnetic field strength that were acting on the loops.
More useful than ever:
In Brookhaven Lab physicist, Bosovic’s words, “A material with such a discrete, switchable form of magneto-resistance — especially from the superconducting to the non-superconducting state — could be extremely useful for engineering new devices.” Ivan Bozovic and his team’s work – a result of German-Israeli cooperation – was funded by German Research Foundation with a scholarship grant by Israel Ministry of Science.
Hope for future:
This research can lead to understand the mechanism of superconductivity better which will lead to more advanced designs of new materials for many other practical applications.
Alaska Airlines: Transportation and Aviation Leaders Launch Sustainable Biofuels Initiative.
Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University have announced a strategic initiative to promote aviation biofuel development in the Pacific Northwest. The first regional assessment of its kind in the United States, the "Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest" project will look at biomass options within a four-state area as possible sources for creating renewable jet fuel.
The comprehensive assessment will examine all phases of developing a sustainable biofuel industry, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. It will include an analysis of potential biomass sources that are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, including algae, agriculturally based oilseeds such as camelina, wood byproducts and others. The project is jointly funded by the participating parties and is expected to be completed in approximately six months.
"By transitioning to a more fuel-efficient fleet and adopting technology to follow more direct flight paths, Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in minimizing the environmental impact of our flying in the communities we serve," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer. "Through this initiative, we are joining other key stakeholders in our region to explore the development of alternatives to jet fuel that could further reduce our carbon footprint."
"Developing a sustainable aviation fuel supply now is a top priority both to ensure continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels and to support the broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth across the industry by 2020," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh.
The assessment process will be managed by Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based environmental nonprofit organization, which will align the effort to sustainability criteria developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The project objective is to identify potential pathways and necessary actions to make aviation biofuel commercially available to airline operators serving the region.
The project will begin in July with a kickoff meeting, followed by additional meetings throughout the assessment process. The group of biomass producers, refiners, airport operators, environmental and government organizations, airlines, academic representatives and Boeing will address issues such as scale, commercial viability and environmental considerations.
Because biomass sources absorb carbon dioxide while growing and can have higher energy content than fossil-based fuel, their increased efficiency and use as aviation biofuel could potentially save millions of tons of aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Air travel currently generates approximately 2 percent of man-made carbon emissions, and the industry has set aggressive goals to lower its carbon footprint, including the use of aviation biofuel when it becomes available. Today flying is one of the most efficient forms of travel based on average aircraft load factors and fuel use per seat-mile. Because the airline industry directly generates approximately 8 percent of global GDP, it is a critical factor in regional and domestic economic growth. (7/12/10)
Links:
Alaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.com/
Related:
--- Bio-Jet Fuel: Better Than Fuel from Fossils.
--- Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team to Study Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.
The comprehensive assessment will examine all phases of developing a sustainable biofuel industry, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. It will include an analysis of potential biomass sources that are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, including algae, agriculturally based oilseeds such as camelina, wood byproducts and others. The project is jointly funded by the participating parties and is expected to be completed in approximately six months.
"By transitioning to a more fuel-efficient fleet and adopting technology to follow more direct flight paths, Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in minimizing the environmental impact of our flying in the communities we serve," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer. "Through this initiative, we are joining other key stakeholders in our region to explore the development of alternatives to jet fuel that could further reduce our carbon footprint."
"Developing a sustainable aviation fuel supply now is a top priority both to ensure continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels and to support the broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth across the industry by 2020," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh.
The assessment process will be managed by Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based environmental nonprofit organization, which will align the effort to sustainability criteria developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The project objective is to identify potential pathways and necessary actions to make aviation biofuel commercially available to airline operators serving the region.
The project will begin in July with a kickoff meeting, followed by additional meetings throughout the assessment process. The group of biomass producers, refiners, airport operators, environmental and government organizations, airlines, academic representatives and Boeing will address issues such as scale, commercial viability and environmental considerations.
Because biomass sources absorb carbon dioxide while growing and can have higher energy content than fossil-based fuel, their increased efficiency and use as aviation biofuel could potentially save millions of tons of aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Air travel currently generates approximately 2 percent of man-made carbon emissions, and the industry has set aggressive goals to lower its carbon footprint, including the use of aviation biofuel when it becomes available. Today flying is one of the most efficient forms of travel based on average aircraft load factors and fuel use per seat-mile. Because the airline industry directly generates approximately 8 percent of global GDP, it is a critical factor in regional and domestic economic growth. (7/12/10)
Links:
Alaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.com/
Related:
--- Bio-Jet Fuel: Better Than Fuel from Fossils.
--- Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team to Study Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Cell Phone Chargers to go Green on the Alternative Energy Scene
Cell Phone Chargers to go Green on the Alternative Energy Scene
Today cell-phones have become an integral part of our life and are the most used mode of communication. More prevalent the use of cell-phone, more imperative is the need to curtail eco-pollution that emanates from the huge number of still-in-use and out-of-use cell phones. Toxic products like lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials pose a real threat to our ecosystem. Handset manufactures, recognizing the need of the hour, are showing great interest and emphasis on manufacturing not only environmentally-friendly handsets but also eco-friendly chargers.
Next generation phones:
The need for mobile communication to go green has brought forward innovative new designs with latest technology & expertise to satisfy the customers. Solar energy, kinetic energy and wind energy are a few of the energy sources that will be harnessed to power the handsets.
Solar energy for towers:
India with one of the largest markets for cell-phones has proposed plans for cell-phone towers that are powered by solar energy. China Mobile, the leading Chinese telecommunication operator, has already set up the world’s biggest solar-energy-powered base station in China.
Powered by radio frequency:
Nokia is trying to manufacture cell-phones that will use ambient radio waves. Their prototype can harness 50mW of power from radio waves. This is sufficient to power the cell-phone in standby mode.
Solar power for cell-phones:
All major players in the cell-phone manufacturing industry are now busy into launching solar-powered cell-phones. Pop by LG, Blue-earth by Samsung and two other Sharp Models are all new prototypes using solar power.
Cell-phone chargers:
With eco-friendly cell-phones gaining popularity, cell-phone chargers are also going green. Many are the chargers that will be made with environmentally friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources.
More future ideas:
Since solar power is unavailable at night time, the idea of using kinetic energy to generate electrons is now being explored. Motion of any form is utilized to generate power for charging the phone. Using airbed foot pumps to drive an embedded turbine to generate energy and convert it to electric power is now being tried.
Unconventional sources:
There are a number of plans on the anvil like fuel cells which can generate power from water; generating power from sources that are unconventional like cold drink or alcohol. So the day is not far off when the mobile communication goes totally green and uses only power made from renewable energy.
Call Treasure Valley Wind and Solar in Boise Idaho for all of your Alternative Energy Needs.
Rob Sorenson is a Green Energy Consultant and will do a FREE Home or Business Energy Audit
to determine the system that best fits your needs. (208)353-6636
Today cell-phones have become an integral part of our life and are the most used mode of communication. More prevalent the use of cell-phone, more imperative is the need to curtail eco-pollution that emanates from the huge number of still-in-use and out-of-use cell phones. Toxic products like lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials pose a real threat to our ecosystem. Handset manufactures, recognizing the need of the hour, are showing great interest and emphasis on manufacturing not only environmentally-friendly handsets but also eco-friendly chargers.
Next generation phones:
The need for mobile communication to go green has brought forward innovative new designs with latest technology & expertise to satisfy the customers. Solar energy, kinetic energy and wind energy are a few of the energy sources that will be harnessed to power the handsets.
Solar energy for towers:
India with one of the largest markets for cell-phones has proposed plans for cell-phone towers that are powered by solar energy. China Mobile, the leading Chinese telecommunication operator, has already set up the world’s biggest solar-energy-powered base station in China.
Powered by radio frequency:
Nokia is trying to manufacture cell-phones that will use ambient radio waves. Their prototype can harness 50mW of power from radio waves. This is sufficient to power the cell-phone in standby mode.
Solar power for cell-phones:
All major players in the cell-phone manufacturing industry are now busy into launching solar-powered cell-phones. Pop by LG, Blue-earth by Samsung and two other Sharp Models are all new prototypes using solar power.
Cell-phone chargers:
With eco-friendly cell-phones gaining popularity, cell-phone chargers are also going green. Many are the chargers that will be made with environmentally friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources.
More future ideas:
Since solar power is unavailable at night time, the idea of using kinetic energy to generate electrons is now being explored. Motion of any form is utilized to generate power for charging the phone. Using airbed foot pumps to drive an embedded turbine to generate energy and convert it to electric power is now being tried.
Unconventional sources:
There are a number of plans on the anvil like fuel cells which can generate power from water; generating power from sources that are unconventional like cold drink or alcohol. So the day is not far off when the mobile communication goes totally green and uses only power made from renewable energy.
Call Treasure Valley Wind and Solar in Boise Idaho for all of your Alternative Energy Needs.
Rob Sorenson is a Green Energy Consultant and will do a FREE Home or Business Energy Audit
to determine the system that best fits your needs. (208)353-6636
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wind power on a smaller scale carries potential
Wind power on a smaller scale carries potential
If Abigail Stutzman has anything to say about it, small wind turbines will someday dot backyards across the Midwest.
The fifth-grader at Starside Elementary School in De Soto, Kan., has an interest in the environment, including helping to recycle much of her family's trash. But she has bigger plans, inspired by her school's recent installation of a turbine.
"When I grow up, I want to live off the grid," she said.
Much of the attention given to wind energy is for large utility-scale wind farms full of huge, three-blade generators. That's where most wind power is likely to be generated.
But the idea of producing wind energy just for a home, business or small town continues to fire the imagination of those seeking self-sufficiency.
Small wind turbines have blades from 12 to 56 feet in diameter. One popular model for smaller homes has 12-foot blades, which can produce about 30 percent of the home's power.
Small-scale wind projects accounted for less than 1 percent of installed wind capacity in 2009. But the concept has plenty of supporters who believe small turbines can provide an important supplement to utility-provided electricity.
Small projects can face big obstacles, and progress has been much slower than many hoped. Initial costs can be daunting and take more than 15 years for a homeowner to recover.
Turbines need more maintenance than some other types of renewable energy, such as solar panels. And the trees and buildings in urban areas like Kansas City, Mo., mean that a standard-style turbine, to take full advantage of the wind, could need a tower more than 100 feet tall, increasing costs and possibly violating zoning laws.
The turbines also can be noisy, another strike against them in urban neighborhoods.
August Huber III, CEO of commercial building company A.L. Huber, said small turbines eventually would find their place. He has installed a wind turbine at his company's Overland Park, Kan., offices.
The turbine, which uses scoops instead of blades to gather the wind, is designed for slower wind speeds in urban areas and is quieter than a traditional small turbine.
Similarly, DST Realty, a major Kansas City real estate developer, is planning a demonstration project at 18th Street and Broadway that will have two turbines designed for urban areas. A traditional turbine has a horizontal generating axis, designed for stronger winds. But the DST project's turbines each will have a vertical axis.
As to how well they will work, DST Realty Vice President Steve Taylor said, "We'll see."
Prospects look brighter in more sparsely populated areas.
August Spencer and his wife, a retired couple who live in eastern Jackson County, Kan., bought a traditional small turbine more than a year ago. The Spencers had enough land to put their turbine on a 45-foot-tall tower, which should give the average eight- to 14-mile-an-hour winds needed to be efficient.
"It can be real good like today, when I'm receiving 20-mile winds," Spencer said recently.
That experience can be replicated, said the experts, if you want to make the investment and do your homework.
Susan Brown is manager of business development for the Energy Savings Store in Lenexa, Kan., which sells solar collectors and wind turbines. Brown, who once helped lead opposition to the coal-fired plant that KCP&L is now building near Weston, has a wind turbine at her home north of Platte City, Mo. She said the benefits go beyond the economic.
"Every kilowatt I'm producing, I'm not giving asthma to a child," she said.
But she discourages many with an initial interest in buying a wind turbine. Despite the Midwest's wind resources, a turbine can be a worse buy than a solar-energy system, depending on location and on tax credits and other incentives.
An installed 2.4-kilowatt wind system for an average residence can cost about $20,000 and supply about a third of the home's demand for electricity. Despite a 30 percent federal tax credit, Brown figures repaying the cost would take roughly 16 years.
That can make it competitive with a solar-energy system, which also qualifies for the federal tax credit. But solar gets the edge when Kansas City Power & Light's solar rebate is included. This can knock 20 to 25 percent more off the price. (Check your city's utilities to see if they offer additional rebates.)
"We usually don't recommend wind turbines for Kansas City," Brown said.
However, a growing number of schools are showing interest in turbines, although producing power often is a secondary reason. The Starside Elementary turbine in De Soto will recharge batteries and run an electric train, but its main purpose is teaching students about renewable energy. Students asked for the turbine and helped raise money for it.
"We worked long and hard for these things, and the kids are really proud of it," said Paula Henderson, a counselor at the school.
Kansas City Kansas Community College is slightly more ambitious, with a wind turbine that can produce about $100 worth of electricity in four days. It also is used to train students who want jobs repairing wind turbines.
The potential of small wind is clearer in places like Beloit, Kan., northwest of Salina, Kan., and in the heart of wind country. This is where All Things Exterior - which sells siding, roofing and windows - has invested in its own turbine.
By taking advantage of the brisk wind and the renewable-energy tax credits, along with depreciation rules that reduce the price for businesses, the company expects a payback in seven to eight years, said Troy Odle, the company's account manager.
All Things Exterior believes there is enough of a market for small turbines that it is planning to sell them.
"It's not because we want to be tree huggers, but it's the right thing for America," Odle said.
Small-town America, in fact, has had success with smaller wind projects.
Rock Port, Mo., and Greensburg, Kan., don't own turbines, but they do get electricity from wind-generation projects developed for them. The Greensburg project produces enough power for 4,000 homes.
The projects were developed or financed by John Deere Wind Energy, which had been a major developer of wind energy for small towns but recently announced it was getting out of the business. The John Deere subsidiary, which has offices in Johnston, Iowa, declined to reveal what was behind the decision.
Interested small towns could buy and operate wind turbines on their own. This has been done across the country, including once in Kansas with mixed results.
Jetmore, north of Dodge City in western Kansas, had $250,000 gathering little interest in a bank account and decided to buy two reconditioned turbines to provide some power to town residents.
They began operating last year, but after a few months the blades fell off one turbine, which more recently has had vibration problems. The company that sold the turbines is making repairs, but the town no longer expects a payback in seven to 10 years.
"We found out why no one else had done one of these," said Lea Ann Seiler, director of economic development for Jetmore. "But I still think it was worthwhile."
What could be the future is companies like BTI Wind Energy in Greensburg, the Kansas town that was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. The community is emphasizing the use of renewable energy as it rebuilds.
Brad Estes and his family had the town's John Deere dealership, and they decided to buy a wind turbine as they rebuilt. That experience led them to start BTI, which sells turbines and aims to help others get into wind energy.
BTI now extends into several states, offering help to homeowners, businesses and schools.
"In the wide open spaces of Kansas, we should be able to do this all day long," Estes said.
FUELING THE FUTURE
How small-scale wind energy stacks up in the Midwest:
- Strength: Consistently strong wind in many rural and semi-rural areas.
- Drawbacks: Buildings and trees make wind less efficient in urban areas. Wind systems can be relatively high maintenance. Connecting to the grid to sell back any excess power can be tricky.
- Cost considerations: A homeowner could need more than 15 years to recoup a system's initial costs. But a 30 percent federal tax credit helps, and depreciation provisions help businesses further. Stable institutions such as schools also can get long-term financing to spread out the costs.
- Short-term potential: Limited in cities, but alternate turbines designed for urban areas are being tested.
- Long-term potential: Better in rural areas.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/12/1264365/wind-power-on-a-smaller-scale.html#ixzz0tTm5cJyR
By STEVE EVERLY - McClatchy Newspapers
If Abigail Stutzman has anything to say about it, small wind turbines will someday dot backyards across the Midwest.
The fifth-grader at Starside Elementary School in De Soto, Kan., has an interest in the environment, including helping to recycle much of her family's trash. But she has bigger plans, inspired by her school's recent installation of a turbine.
"When I grow up, I want to live off the grid," she said.
Much of the attention given to wind energy is for large utility-scale wind farms full of huge, three-blade generators. That's where most wind power is likely to be generated.
But the idea of producing wind energy just for a home, business or small town continues to fire the imagination of those seeking self-sufficiency.
Small wind turbines have blades from 12 to 56 feet in diameter. One popular model for smaller homes has 12-foot blades, which can produce about 30 percent of the home's power.
Small-scale wind projects accounted for less than 1 percent of installed wind capacity in 2009. But the concept has plenty of supporters who believe small turbines can provide an important supplement to utility-provided electricity.
Small projects can face big obstacles, and progress has been much slower than many hoped. Initial costs can be daunting and take more than 15 years for a homeowner to recover.
Turbines need more maintenance than some other types of renewable energy, such as solar panels. And the trees and buildings in urban areas like Kansas City, Mo., mean that a standard-style turbine, to take full advantage of the wind, could need a tower more than 100 feet tall, increasing costs and possibly violating zoning laws.
The turbines also can be noisy, another strike against them in urban neighborhoods.
August Huber III, CEO of commercial building company A.L. Huber, said small turbines eventually would find their place. He has installed a wind turbine at his company's Overland Park, Kan., offices.
The turbine, which uses scoops instead of blades to gather the wind, is designed for slower wind speeds in urban areas and is quieter than a traditional small turbine.
Similarly, DST Realty, a major Kansas City real estate developer, is planning a demonstration project at 18th Street and Broadway that will have two turbines designed for urban areas. A traditional turbine has a horizontal generating axis, designed for stronger winds. But the DST project's turbines each will have a vertical axis.
As to how well they will work, DST Realty Vice President Steve Taylor said, "We'll see."
Prospects look brighter in more sparsely populated areas.
August Spencer and his wife, a retired couple who live in eastern Jackson County, Kan., bought a traditional small turbine more than a year ago. The Spencers had enough land to put their turbine on a 45-foot-tall tower, which should give the average eight- to 14-mile-an-hour winds needed to be efficient.
"It can be real good like today, when I'm receiving 20-mile winds," Spencer said recently.
That experience can be replicated, said the experts, if you want to make the investment and do your homework.
Susan Brown is manager of business development for the Energy Savings Store in Lenexa, Kan., which sells solar collectors and wind turbines. Brown, who once helped lead opposition to the coal-fired plant that KCP&L is now building near Weston, has a wind turbine at her home north of Platte City, Mo. She said the benefits go beyond the economic.
"Every kilowatt I'm producing, I'm not giving asthma to a child," she said.
But she discourages many with an initial interest in buying a wind turbine. Despite the Midwest's wind resources, a turbine can be a worse buy than a solar-energy system, depending on location and on tax credits and other incentives.
An installed 2.4-kilowatt wind system for an average residence can cost about $20,000 and supply about a third of the home's demand for electricity. Despite a 30 percent federal tax credit, Brown figures repaying the cost would take roughly 16 years.
That can make it competitive with a solar-energy system, which also qualifies for the federal tax credit. But solar gets the edge when Kansas City Power & Light's solar rebate is included. This can knock 20 to 25 percent more off the price. (Check your city's utilities to see if they offer additional rebates.)
"We usually don't recommend wind turbines for Kansas City," Brown said.
However, a growing number of schools are showing interest in turbines, although producing power often is a secondary reason. The Starside Elementary turbine in De Soto will recharge batteries and run an electric train, but its main purpose is teaching students about renewable energy. Students asked for the turbine and helped raise money for it.
"We worked long and hard for these things, and the kids are really proud of it," said Paula Henderson, a counselor at the school.
Kansas City Kansas Community College is slightly more ambitious, with a wind turbine that can produce about $100 worth of electricity in four days. It also is used to train students who want jobs repairing wind turbines.
The potential of small wind is clearer in places like Beloit, Kan., northwest of Salina, Kan., and in the heart of wind country. This is where All Things Exterior - which sells siding, roofing and windows - has invested in its own turbine.
By taking advantage of the brisk wind and the renewable-energy tax credits, along with depreciation rules that reduce the price for businesses, the company expects a payback in seven to eight years, said Troy Odle, the company's account manager.
All Things Exterior believes there is enough of a market for small turbines that it is planning to sell them.
"It's not because we want to be tree huggers, but it's the right thing for America," Odle said.
Small-town America, in fact, has had success with smaller wind projects.
Rock Port, Mo., and Greensburg, Kan., don't own turbines, but they do get electricity from wind-generation projects developed for them. The Greensburg project produces enough power for 4,000 homes.
The projects were developed or financed by John Deere Wind Energy, which had been a major developer of wind energy for small towns but recently announced it was getting out of the business. The John Deere subsidiary, which has offices in Johnston, Iowa, declined to reveal what was behind the decision.
Interested small towns could buy and operate wind turbines on their own. This has been done across the country, including once in Kansas with mixed results.
Jetmore, north of Dodge City in western Kansas, had $250,000 gathering little interest in a bank account and decided to buy two reconditioned turbines to provide some power to town residents.
They began operating last year, but after a few months the blades fell off one turbine, which more recently has had vibration problems. The company that sold the turbines is making repairs, but the town no longer expects a payback in seven to 10 years.
"We found out why no one else had done one of these," said Lea Ann Seiler, director of economic development for Jetmore. "But I still think it was worthwhile."
What could be the future is companies like BTI Wind Energy in Greensburg, the Kansas town that was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. The community is emphasizing the use of renewable energy as it rebuilds.
Brad Estes and his family had the town's John Deere dealership, and they decided to buy a wind turbine as they rebuilt. That experience led them to start BTI, which sells turbines and aims to help others get into wind energy.
BTI now extends into several states, offering help to homeowners, businesses and schools.
"In the wide open spaces of Kansas, we should be able to do this all day long," Estes said.
FUELING THE FUTURE
How small-scale wind energy stacks up in the Midwest:
- Strength: Consistently strong wind in many rural and semi-rural areas.
- Drawbacks: Buildings and trees make wind less efficient in urban areas. Wind systems can be relatively high maintenance. Connecting to the grid to sell back any excess power can be tricky.
- Cost considerations: A homeowner could need more than 15 years to recoup a system's initial costs. But a 30 percent federal tax credit helps, and depreciation provisions help businesses further. Stable institutions such as schools also can get long-term financing to spread out the costs.
- Short-term potential: Limited in cities, but alternate turbines designed for urban areas are being tested.
- Long-term potential: Better in rural areas.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/12/1264365/wind-power-on-a-smaller-scale.html#ixzz0tTm5cJyR
By STEVE EVERLY - McClatchy Newspapers
Plant a Windbreak to Reduce Home Energy Costs
Plant a Windbreak to Reduce Home Energy Costs
Reducing your home energy costs can be as simple as planting a few trees in the right location surrounding your house. An effective windbreak can reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating bill by deflecting and slowing down gusty, cold winds in the wintertime.
Cold winter winds usually come from the west and northerly directions. Evergreen trees and shrubs, such as conifers and cedars, do not lose their foliage over winter and provide an excellent barrier against strong winds. This Arbor Day website has an excellent graphic depicting how effective a windbreak can be to reduce wind speed around your home.
The rule of thumb for planting windbreak greenery is that a windbreak should be no more than the distance of one to two tree heights from your house. Consider planting some trees and shrubs around your home to reduce your home heating bill!
Reducing your home energy costs can be as simple as planting a few trees in the right location surrounding your house. An effective windbreak can reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating bill by deflecting and slowing down gusty, cold winds in the wintertime.
Cold winter winds usually come from the west and northerly directions. Evergreen trees and shrubs, such as conifers and cedars, do not lose their foliage over winter and provide an excellent barrier against strong winds. This Arbor Day website has an excellent graphic depicting how effective a windbreak can be to reduce wind speed around your home.
The rule of thumb for planting windbreak greenery is that a windbreak should be no more than the distance of one to two tree heights from your house. Consider planting some trees and shrubs around your home to reduce your home heating bill!
Scientists Revisit Power from Potatoes
Scientists Revisit Power from Potatoes
This could very well be the magic formula for future power generation. Yes, scientists are busy crafting what is now called as “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” These are absolutely eco-friendly batteries – based on the hidden powers of potatoes – which will be an economical answer to the growing power needs of developing and developed countries.
Simple sustainable solution:
There are still places in the world where basic infrastructure for lighting and other electrical needs is insufficient. The researchers at Hebrew University are now trying to create magic out of humble common potatoes to provide a solution for generating power to meet this need.
Potato powered battery:
It is the salt-bridge capacity that is latent in treated potato tubers which makes them the ideal medium for generating power easily and economically. An easy process of electrolysis is used in the construction of the simple yet efficient battery. A slice of our ordinary potato, zinc and copper electrodes are all that go to make the battery. By boiling the potato, the electric power is increased 10 times more than with the non-boiled potatoes, and the longevity is also greatly increased.
Similar to conventional batteries:
The principle scientists use to better the performance of the traditional batteries is almost similar. The less the salt-bridge resistance in the potato-power battery, the longer and more efficient the batteries are.
Potato power demonstrated:
The treated potato power batteries (with low power electricity) were used to power LEDs. These batteries can provide lighting, power telecommunication and transfer of information in the developing non-OECD populated areas. Where there is insufficient access to proper electrical infrastructure, these eco- and environmentally friendly green generators of power will be found useful.
Scientists’ gift:
Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment and Alex Golberg, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University, jointly with Prof. Boris Rubinsky, University of California, Berkeley, carried out the research – sponsored by Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was into electrolytic process in living matter that can be used for many applications, including generation of electric energy like for self-powered implanted medical electronic devices.
Cost effective:
Cost-wise also potato-powered batteries are more viable. The 1.5 volt D cells and Energizer E-91 cells proved to be more costly – about 5-50 times more than these vegetable powered cells. Not only potatoes but other treated vegetables can be utilized to provide clean and inexpensive green energy. But potatoes win hands down as vegetable of choice to power the battery due to their high production and easy availability.
This could very well be the magic formula for future power generation. Yes, scientists are busy crafting what is now called as “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” These are absolutely eco-friendly batteries – based on the hidden powers of potatoes – which will be an economical answer to the growing power needs of developing and developed countries.
Simple sustainable solution:
There are still places in the world where basic infrastructure for lighting and other electrical needs is insufficient. The researchers at Hebrew University are now trying to create magic out of humble common potatoes to provide a solution for generating power to meet this need.
Potato powered battery:
It is the salt-bridge capacity that is latent in treated potato tubers which makes them the ideal medium for generating power easily and economically. An easy process of electrolysis is used in the construction of the simple yet efficient battery. A slice of our ordinary potato, zinc and copper electrodes are all that go to make the battery. By boiling the potato, the electric power is increased 10 times more than with the non-boiled potatoes, and the longevity is also greatly increased.
Similar to conventional batteries:
The principle scientists use to better the performance of the traditional batteries is almost similar. The less the salt-bridge resistance in the potato-power battery, the longer and more efficient the batteries are.
Potato power demonstrated:
The treated potato power batteries (with low power electricity) were used to power LEDs. These batteries can provide lighting, power telecommunication and transfer of information in the developing non-OECD populated areas. Where there is insufficient access to proper electrical infrastructure, these eco- and environmentally friendly green generators of power will be found useful.
Scientists’ gift:
Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment and Alex Golberg, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University, jointly with Prof. Boris Rubinsky, University of California, Berkeley, carried out the research – sponsored by Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was into electrolytic process in living matter that can be used for many applications, including generation of electric energy like for self-powered implanted medical electronic devices.
Cost effective:
Cost-wise also potato-powered batteries are more viable. The 1.5 volt D cells and Energizer E-91 cells proved to be more costly – about 5-50 times more than these vegetable powered cells. Not only potatoes but other treated vegetables can be utilized to provide clean and inexpensive green energy. But potatoes win hands down as vegetable of choice to power the battery due to their high production and easy availability.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Building The Ultimate Solar Cell?
Building The Ultimate Solar Cell?
The ultimate step in utilizing solar power is to convert maximum energy from sun into electricity. This will make solar power highly cost-advantageous compared to other traditional power sources. Capturing energy wasted as heat from the sun can increase solar conversion efficiency greatly. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is on-going to make this happen.
Not all solar energy utilized:
Actually only about 31% of solar energy is converted into electricity. The rest of the energy is not able to be harnessed as it becomes heat – as ‘hot electrons’ – which is lost very quickly because electrons cool down very fast. Capturing almost all solar energy and converting to electricity is the goal of the ‘ultimate solar cell’.
Utilizing the hot electrons:
Since half the solar energy is lost as heat, the first step will be to slow down the cooling rate of these electrons. The second step will be to capture the hot electrons and use them before the heat energy gets dissipated and lost. And harness the heat energy taking the electrons out via a conducting wire with minimal energy loss.
Semiconductor nanocrystals – quantum dots:
Quantum dots play a pivotal role in the transfer of hot electrons. The research showed that the hot electrons can be transferred to a titanium dioxide electron conductor with the help of photo-excited lead selenide nanocrystals (quantum dots). The aim is to minimize energy loss by having the most effective conductor wire. This will allow the fast removal of electrons from the solar cell before they cool down.
Solar power – the best energy source:
With growing awareness of dwindling sources of fossil fuels, green, environmentally friendly, bio-renewable energy sources are beacon lights of energy sources in future. Solar energy will be the most efficient and common source of such energy. This research is an important step in the creation of the ultimate solar cell.
The team:
Chemist, Xiaoyang Zhu, University of Texas, Austin, led the team consisting of William Tisdale, Brooke Timp, David Norris and Eray Aydil – all from the University of Minneso and also Kenrick Williams, from University of Texas.
The ultimate step in utilizing solar power is to convert maximum energy from sun into electricity. This will make solar power highly cost-advantageous compared to other traditional power sources. Capturing energy wasted as heat from the sun can increase solar conversion efficiency greatly. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is on-going to make this happen.
Actually only about 31% of solar energy is converted into electricity. The rest of the energy is not able to be harnessed as it becomes heat – as ‘hot electrons’ – which is lost very quickly because electrons cool down very fast. Capturing almost all solar energy and converting to electricity is the goal of the ‘ultimate solar cell’.
Utilizing the hot electrons:
Since half the solar energy is lost as heat, the first step will be to slow down the cooling rate of these electrons. The second step will be to capture the hot electrons and use them before the heat energy gets dissipated and lost. And harness the heat energy taking the electrons out via a conducting wire with minimal energy loss.
Semiconductor nanocrystals – quantum dots:
Quantum dots play a pivotal role in the transfer of hot electrons. The research showed that the hot electrons can be transferred to a titanium dioxide electron conductor with the help of photo-excited lead selenide nanocrystals (quantum dots). The aim is to minimize energy loss by having the most effective conductor wire. This will allow the fast removal of electrons from the solar cell before they cool down.
Solar power – the best energy source:
With growing awareness of dwindling sources of fossil fuels, green, environmentally friendly, bio-renewable energy sources are beacon lights of energy sources in future. Solar energy will be the most efficient and common source of such energy. This research is an important step in the creation of the ultimate solar cell.
The team:
Chemist, Xiaoyang Zhu, University of Texas, Austin, led the team consisting of William Tisdale, Brooke Timp, David Norris and Eray Aydil – all from the University of Minneso and also Kenrick Williams, from University of Texas.
Friday, July 9, 2010
JUICE UP TAX CREDITS TO STIMULATE A GREEN ECONOMY
JUICE UP TAX CREDITS TO STIMULATE A GREEN ECONOMY.
Coincidentally, as Obama’s economic stimulus package runs out the US economy shows signs of losing steam. Job creation is feeble. The economy can’t be allowed to fall off a cliff again. Action should be taken now.
In an election season a deficit-concerned Congress won’t be in the mood to pass a mega-spending bill, but tax cuts are always popular.
Obama wants to build a clean energy economy. Why not expand and extend existing tax breaks for clean, renewable and efficient energy to continue efforts already underway to do so?
Let’s take a look at a few Federal tax incentives for efficient and renewable energy now on the books:
--- The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit is a personal tax credit that covers the installation of certain energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air conditioners, building insulation, windows, doors, roofs, some circulating fans used in qualifying home furnaces, as well as some biomass fuel stoves.
The credit, taken off the bottom line of a homeowner’s tax return, is for 30 percent of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. But the total amount of the credit is a miserly $1500 for all improvements combined. That cost may include labor costs or just the cost of the qualified equipment.
This credit is set to expire at the end of 2010. Why not extend it another few years and double (or more) the amount of the credit to at least $3000?
-- The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit is another personal tax credit (again off the bottom line of taxes due for a given year) that covers solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps and other solar electric technologies.
Like the energy efficiency tax credit, it’s for 30 percent of the installation, but for qualifying solar, wind or geothermal for systems installed beginning in 2009 there is no maximum amount of the credit. If the system cost is, for example, $20,000, the credit, the amount off your tax bill, would be $6000. If the credit brings your tax bill below zero the excess credit may be carried forward to the succeeding tax year.
This fairly generous credit is set to expire at the end of 2016. Still, why not increase the amount of the credit to 40 or even 50 percent?
--- For vehicles, there are a number of tax credits for alternative fuels including diesels, natural gas, propane, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The credits are specific to certain models and the expiration date varies depending on the number of vehicles sold
The biggest tax break available – up to $7500 – is for upcoming electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Yet that tax break isn’t forever and will phase out at the beginning of the second calendar quarter after the manufacturer produces 200,000 eligible vehicles. That could be quite a while, since these vehicles are expected to sell relatively small numbers. Still, why not be more generous with the tax credit and increase it to say $10,000?
There are other energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits, of course, that are aimed at business and industry. There are probably extensions and expansions possible within those provisions.
Many states also have additional tax incentives such as sales tax relief for renewable energies. The states often follow the lead on what Washington does.
Overall, energy tax credits are a plus all-around for the economy.
Those making the energy efficiency or renewable energy investment will likely see a reduction in fuel and/or electric bills. Money not spent on energy can be spent elsewhere in the economy, or perhaps saved.
The equipment purchased for homes, such as solar panels, solar water heaters, high efficiency air conditioners, for example, may be entirely US made (great for those US factories), may be imported or be some combination of the two. In any case, some jobs will be created in manufacturing. However, all of the equipment has to be installed by professionals, definitely creating jobs and new business.
As for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, there is already considerable investment in manufacturing vehicles and components here in the US, in part because of the first stimulus package and in part because of legislation enacted under President Bush. Being more generous with those tax breaks should draw in more buyers, increase production rates creating jobs in US factories and perhaps even encouraging the development of more models.
There is a down side, of course. Tax breaks mean taxes not entering the US Treasury, and it’s possible that these enhanced incentives would increase the deficit. However, that possibility would have to weigh against the creation of new jobs which would send income tax dollars to the government. Further, in saving money on energy people will have more disposable income which could be spent, with some of that eventually finding its way into the Treasury. Finally, cutting energy is the gift that keeps on giving. As long as the energy technology keeps functioning the savings in dollars and cents will be like a newfound source of income year after year.
The President and Democrats in Congress are still thinking of a climate and energy bill this year. The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will make passage of that bill easier but not guaranteed. So, instead of fighting for a new energy and climate policy, why not continue efforts for new economic stimulus using energy at its core? Stimulating the economy, cutting conventional energy consumption, adopting cleaner energy with the side-benefit of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, would all be part of the same package
Links:
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Credits
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Coincidentally, as Obama’s economic stimulus package runs out the US economy shows signs of losing steam. Job creation is feeble. The economy can’t be allowed to fall off a cliff again. Action should be taken now.
In an election season a deficit-concerned Congress won’t be in the mood to pass a mega-spending bill, but tax cuts are always popular.
Obama wants to build a clean energy economy. Why not expand and extend existing tax breaks for clean, renewable and efficient energy to continue efforts already underway to do so?
Let’s take a look at a few Federal tax incentives for efficient and renewable energy now on the books:
--- The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit is a personal tax credit that covers the installation of certain energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air conditioners, building insulation, windows, doors, roofs, some circulating fans used in qualifying home furnaces, as well as some biomass fuel stoves.
The credit, taken off the bottom line of a homeowner’s tax return, is for 30 percent of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. But the total amount of the credit is a miserly $1500 for all improvements combined. That cost may include labor costs or just the cost of the qualified equipment.
This credit is set to expire at the end of 2010. Why not extend it another few years and double (or more) the amount of the credit to at least $3000?
-- The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit is another personal tax credit (again off the bottom line of taxes due for a given year) that covers solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps and other solar electric technologies.
Like the energy efficiency tax credit, it’s for 30 percent of the installation, but for qualifying solar, wind or geothermal for systems installed beginning in 2009 there is no maximum amount of the credit. If the system cost is, for example, $20,000, the credit, the amount off your tax bill, would be $6000. If the credit brings your tax bill below zero the excess credit may be carried forward to the succeeding tax year.
This fairly generous credit is set to expire at the end of 2016. Still, why not increase the amount of the credit to 40 or even 50 percent?
--- For vehicles, there are a number of tax credits for alternative fuels including diesels, natural gas, propane, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The credits are specific to certain models and the expiration date varies depending on the number of vehicles sold
The biggest tax break available – up to $7500 – is for upcoming electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Yet that tax break isn’t forever and will phase out at the beginning of the second calendar quarter after the manufacturer produces 200,000 eligible vehicles. That could be quite a while, since these vehicles are expected to sell relatively small numbers. Still, why not be more generous with the tax credit and increase it to say $10,000?
There are other energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits, of course, that are aimed at business and industry. There are probably extensions and expansions possible within those provisions.
Many states also have additional tax incentives such as sales tax relief for renewable energies. The states often follow the lead on what Washington does.
Overall, energy tax credits are a plus all-around for the economy.
Those making the energy efficiency or renewable energy investment will likely see a reduction in fuel and/or electric bills. Money not spent on energy can be spent elsewhere in the economy, or perhaps saved.
The equipment purchased for homes, such as solar panels, solar water heaters, high efficiency air conditioners, for example, may be entirely US made (great for those US factories), may be imported or be some combination of the two. In any case, some jobs will be created in manufacturing. However, all of the equipment has to be installed by professionals, definitely creating jobs and new business.
As for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, there is already considerable investment in manufacturing vehicles and components here in the US, in part because of the first stimulus package and in part because of legislation enacted under President Bush. Being more generous with those tax breaks should draw in more buyers, increase production rates creating jobs in US factories and perhaps even encouraging the development of more models.
There is a down side, of course. Tax breaks mean taxes not entering the US Treasury, and it’s possible that these enhanced incentives would increase the deficit. However, that possibility would have to weigh against the creation of new jobs which would send income tax dollars to the government. Further, in saving money on energy people will have more disposable income which could be spent, with some of that eventually finding its way into the Treasury. Finally, cutting energy is the gift that keeps on giving. As long as the energy technology keeps functioning the savings in dollars and cents will be like a newfound source of income year after year.
The President and Democrats in Congress are still thinking of a climate and energy bill this year. The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will make passage of that bill easier but not guaranteed. So, instead of fighting for a new energy and climate policy, why not continue efforts for new economic stimulus using energy at its core? Stimulating the economy, cutting conventional energy consumption, adopting cleaner energy with the side-benefit of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, would all be part of the same package
Links:
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Credits
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
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