NEW ENERGY AND THE GRID

What happens if you add lots of wind and solar power to the grid?

Brad Plumer, September 26, 2013 (Washington Post)

“…[As wind and solar power keep] expanding, it could pose some hassles and headaches for those in charge of the nation's electricity grid…[According to studies by] the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)… It likely wouldn't be cheap up front. But the existing electric grid could probably handle a big infusion of renewable energy without huge infrastructure changes. And, contrary to some recent arguments, putting that much wind and solar on the grid really would cut pollution…and curtail the greenhouse gases…Grid operators would need to find ways to juggle supply and demand to accommodate intermittent sources…with existing technology — from improved forecasts for the sun and wind to "demand response" programs for large consumers of electricity…” click here for more

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A BIG IPO IN WIND

Wind energy company Pattern blows past IPO price in debut; At a high of $24.30, company valued at $1.24 bln

September 27, 2013 (Reuters)

“Shares of Pattern Energy Group Inc rose 10 percent in their debut, as the recent rally in renewable energy stocks rubbed off on the first-ever public offering of a U.S. wind farm operator…Pattern has solid cash flow and has been largely profitable…The company raised $352 million after pricing its offering at $22 per share, just above its expected price range of $19-$21. Pattern sold 16 million shares…California-based Pattern owns and operates eight wind power projects in the United States, Canada and Chile, with a total power-generation capacity of 1,041 MW…Pattern's net profit rose to $29.14 million for the first six months of 2013, from $6.44 million a year earlier…Revenue rose 62 percent to $102.54 million…” click here for more

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EU GRID EFFICIENCY MRKT TO QUADRUPLE BY 2020

Demand Response in Europe; Market Size, Growth Forecast, Customer Segment Opportunities, and Program Deployments in Europe: Market Analysis and Forecasts

Q3 2013 (Navigant Research)

“Europe is an emerging demand response (DR) market with significant opportunities for technology and services vendors…[B]arriers are gradually being removed…[and] several geographic areas in Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland, are planning to introduce a capacity market…The growing number of new entrants, especially aggregators, is another indicator…[and] the major incumbents – based in either the United States or Europe – are taking steps to expand into the burgeoning European DR market…Navigant Research forecasts that annual spending on DR in Europe will grow from $139 million in 2013 to $777 million in 2020…” click here for more

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WIND OPPONENTS ‘IN THE STONE AGE'

Opponents of wind farms are living in the “Stone Age”, Ed Davey has said, as he declared war on Tory Cabinet colleagues over turbines.

Peter Dominiczak, 15 September 2013 (UK Telegraph)

“…[Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary Ed Davey] accused Conservatives of attempting to ‘destroy’ the UK’s renewables industry…He singled out Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, warning that he is trying to ‘cull’ wind turbines…Mr Davey warned that [a report commissioned by Mr Paterson on the impact of wind farms on the countryside] would be ‘partial’ and potentially inaccurate…His aides said Mr Davey is fighting "trench warfare" with Tory colleagues over green energy…He said that Tories opposing wind farms and other green energy policies are ‘irresponsible’…” click here for more

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NEW ENERGY BEATS THE COSTS OF COAL

New Study: Clean Energy Least Costly to Power America's Electricity Needs

Laurie Johnson, September 17, 2013 (Natural Resources Defense Council)

“…[O]nce estimates of climate change costs and other health impacts are taken into account, it would be cheaper to build new power plants from wind turbines or solar panels than from coal. It would also be cheaper to replace some of our dirtiest coal plants with these cleaner sources…In other words, transitioning to cleaner energy won’t just help protect us and our children and grand-children from climate change, it’s also good economics…The social cost of carbon: implications for modernizing our electricity system…[shows] that our electricity system, which generates fully 40 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide pollution, is costly…[E]xtreme weather caused more than $140 billion in damages in 2012. American taxpayers picked up nearly $100 billion of those costs…” click here for more

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SOLAR POWER TOWER PASSES TEST

Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System Reaches ‘First Sync’ Milestone; Testing confirms operational readiness of world’s largest solar thermal project

September 24, 2013 (BusinessWire)

“…NRG Solar, today announced that the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System produced its first output of energy when the Unit 1 station was synced to the power grid for the first time. Achieving this critical ‘first sync’ is a major milestone…[It] demonstrates the effectiveness of the station’s power tower technology, which includes large heliostats that track the sun throughout the day, solar field integration software and a solar receiver steam generator…Power generated from Ivanpah’s initial sync testing will go to [PG&E], which has a power purchase agreement (PPA) for energy produced out of the plant’s Unit 1 station. Power generated from Ivanpah’s Unit 3 station is also sold under a PPA with PG&E, while Unit 2 is under a PPA with [SCE]…Proof-of-concept testing will also be conducted at Unit 2 and 3 in the coming months…” click here for more

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UTILITY REVERSES, FINDS NEW ENERGY CHEAPER THAN GAS

Utility Agrees: (Their) Solar Should Supplant Natural Gas

September 16, 2013 (Institute for Local Self-Reliance)

“Five months ago, one of the country’s ten largest electric utilities told regulators in Minnesota that it needed three new natural gas power plants to handle peak energy demand. This week, the same company’s Colorado division announced plans to use more solar power because it is cost competitive with gas…Maybe they need a memo to share the news: solar is cheaper than gas. A lot cheaper… Even small scale solar is competitive with natural gas power for supplying energy when the grid needs it most…” click here for more

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UK’S BIGGEST BIRD PROTECTION GROUP TO BUILD HQ WIND

Major bird charity plans wind turbine at HQ; Wind power critics argue that turbines kill birds. So why is the U.K.'s largest bird charity planning a turbine?

Sami Grover, September 18, 2013 (Mother Nature Network)

“Whenever a new wind turbine project is announced, it's common for critics to pipe up and complain about the risk of bird kills…That strategy may fall a little flat with a planning application being submitted in Bedfordshire…by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Britain's largest bird conservation group…[and] wind energy developer Ecotricity…Both Ecotricity and the RSPB say they have undertaken thorough environmental assessments of the site, and they are confident that there will not be a significant impact on either local wildlife or the surrounding community…” click here for more

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WHAT 60 MILLION SMART METERS SAY

Utilities Try to Learn From Smart Meters; Vast customer data is starting to transform the ways companies operate

Rebecca Smith, September 23, 2013 (Wall Street Journal)

“Utilities have installed more than 60 million smart meters in North America in the past decade… Now they have to figure out what to do with all the information the devices are generating…It's a mind-boggling amount of data…[Traditional meters] were read 12 times a year…[S]mart meters bombard utilities with…readings every 15 minutes, or 35,000 times a year. They also alert utilities to electricity theft and dozens of other useful things…[And] information is streaming in from the grid itself, where millions of sensors and smart controllers are giving utilities deeper, more timely information on equipment performance and power flows…As utilities get their arms around the data, the implications for consumers could be significant…” click here for more

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INDIA PLANS WORLD’S BIGGEST SOLAR POWER PLANT

India To Build World’s Largest Solar Power Plant In Rajasthan

Sreeja VN, September 21, 2013 (International Business Times)

“The Indian government will set up the world’s largest solar power plant in its northwestern state of Rajasthan…and the venture is expected to significantly reduce solar power taxes in the country…The project, known as the ‘Ultra-Mega Green Solar Power Project,’ will have a total power generation capacity of 4,000 megawatts, which is more than double the total solar power generation capacity in India…The first phase of the project, which will be for 1,000 megawatt capacity, is expected to be completed in three years and will be run by a joint venture of five state-run utilities, including BHEL, Power Grid Corporation of India and Solar Energy Corporation of India…” click here for more

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WIND SOUND IS HEARTBEAT QUIET

Acoustics group says wind turbine infrasound less than a heart-beat

Emma Fitzpatrick, 16 September 2013 (Renew Economy)

…[T]he Association of Australian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC) stated that the current levels of infrasound emitted by wind turbines…are already in abundance in our natural environment from sources such as wind, waves and earthquakes. People also generate infrasound through breathing and heartbeats…Mechanical sources of infrasound originate from sources like aircrafts, traffic, and fossil fuel generation …. and wind turbines. Infrasound emissions from wind turbines have previously been thought to cause adverse health effects such as breathing problems, digestive issues, headaches and nausea…[T]he AAAC concluded that infrasound levels around wind farms are no higher than the levels around where people live, work and sleep…” click here for more

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COAL FADING TO BLACK

Guest column: Yes, actually, King Coal is dying

Leslie Glustrom, August 25, 2013 (Boulder Daily Camera)

“…‘King Coal’ isn't dead yet, but there is abundant reason to believe the U.S. coal industry is dying…[C]oal deposits that are being mined now are buried deeper and are more expensive to mine. Coal company profit margins are narrowing or even turning negative and the major U.S. coal companies are reporting billions of dollars of losses. The major U.S. coal companies have lost over 80 percent of their stock value since 2008 and are borrowing money at interest rates of 8-10 percent in order to pay off their staggering debts. Patriot Coal filed for bankruptcy in mid-2012 and other large U.S. coal companies have been put on bankruptcy watch…” click here for more

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NEW ENERGY QUOTE OF THE YEAR

U.S. Revives Aid Program for Clean Energy

Diane Cardwell, September 19, 2013 (NY Times)

"If you do coal the right way, it’s so expensive that wind and solar beat it on the markets, and that’s why the guys who want to do coal the right way need their policy support [with loan guarantees, research assistance and tax incentives]...Wind and solar are big kids and almost competitive on their own already, but the advanced fossil and small nuclear are still years away." -- Michael E. Webber, deputy director, University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute

"The Energy Department’s loan program was created in 2005 under President Bush to spur commercial adoption of innovative technologies or those that avoided, reduced or permanently stored pollutants. In 2008, Congress added another section, for more fuel-efficient cars, and a year later created a temporary program to encourage renewable energy and electrical transmission projects…[It] has since expired, but the department still has about $50 billion left that could be lent, with a large chunk earmarked for nuclear projects…On a $34 billion loan portfolio, the government has lost about $800 million…That’s about 2.3 percent, and only a small fraction of the $10 billion Congress set aside to cover losses…" click here for more

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THE TRUTH BEHIND WIND TURBINE SYNDROME

“Never Stops, Never Stops. Headache. Help.” Some people living in the shadows of wind turbines say they’re making them sick. Almost as upsetting: Their neighbors don’t feel a thing.

Kristen French, September 15, 2013 (New York Magazine)

"…[In 2012, wind power became the No. 1 source of new energy in the U.S…[Turbines] are now being placed in residential areas…For the first time, people can see them from their lawns, driveways, and bedrooms…In the past decade, hundreds of people who live near wind turbines…have reported that the windmills are giving them a litany of ailments…[including] severe stress, insomnia, and dizziness…dry retching and crying…[T]his hodgepodge of maladies has an unofficial name: wind-turbine syndrome, coined in 2006 by Nina Pierpont, a pediatrician, whose husband, it should be noted, is an anti-wind activist…Large-scale population surveys conducted by scientists in Sweden and the Netherlands have found that stress and sleep disturbances were more likely if the turbines were visible and less likely if the individuals benefitted economically…Other studies found that having a bad attitude about the turbines and subjective sensitivity to noise were more likely to lead to annoyance and negative health effects than actual exposure to audible sound or infrasound…And in recent lab tests, subjects who were told to expect side effects from infrasound ahead of time felt some of those symptoms even when they were exposed to sham infrasound…” click here for more

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SOLAR STORAGE MARKET SHIFTING, GROWING

From Worst to First: Commercial Segment Set to Lead Solar Energy Storage Market by 2017

September 18, 2013 (IHS, Inc)

“Currently the smallest part of the global solar energy storage business, the commercial sector is projected to expand by a factor of 700 in the coming years and become the largest market segment in 2017…Global installations of photovoltaic (PV) storage systems for commercial use are set to rise to 2.3 gigawatts (GW) in 2017, up from a mere 3.2 megawatts in 2012, according to…IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS)…This will increase the commercial segment’s share of PV installations to 40 percent in 2017, up from 5 percent in 2012…An energy storage solution can be used to shift PV energy from when it is generated for on-site use during periods when [higher] charges apply…PV energy storage in commercial applications also can provide back-up power in regions where there are weak and unreliable grids…” click here for more

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NUKES OUT, WIND IN FOR BRAZIL

Brazil cools on nuclear power plans; favors wind

Brian Winter, September15,2013 (Reuters)

“…Brazil will probably scale down its plans for new nuclear plants due to safety concerns following the 2011 radiation leak in Japan and pick up some of the slack with a ‘revolution’ in wind power…Mauricio Tolmasquim, chief of the Energy Research Company, [said] it was ‘unlikely’ the government would stick to its plans to build four new nuclear plants by 2030…[Brazil’s] power grid currently relies on hydroelectric dams for about 75 percent of its needs…[N]uclear power accounts for a little more than 1 percent…about the same as wind turbines…Average wind power prices in Brazil have declined from 148 reais ($64) per megawatt-hour at the end of 2009 to 110 reais per megawatt hour this year…” click here for more

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EMISSIONS MARKET MONEY FUNDS NY SOLAR

NYSERDA and LIPA Announce Funding to Restart the LIPA Solar Pioneer Program to Advance the NY-Sun Initiative; $5 Million Allows Photovoltaic Incentives to Continue on Long Island

September 16, 2013 (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)

“…[T]he New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)…will provide the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) with $5 million to restart its popular residential Solar Pioneer program, in support of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative and to help sustain the solar industry on Long Island…The funding, which will be available beginning September 23rd, is being provided by NYSERDA using Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds…NYSERDA recently submitted a petition to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking authorization…to identify the merits and potential for greater efficiencies and success with a more coordinated statewide PV incentive program…” click here for more

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SHOULD DOE FUND WAVE-AND-TIDE ENERGY?

SHOULD DOE FUND WAVE-AND-TIDE ENERGY? Ocean Energy Has Vast Potential but Many Waves to Skirt

Ken Silverstein, September 3, 2013 (Energy Central)

“…[T]he U.S. Department of Energy just said it would invest $16 million in 17 different projects that capture energy from waves and tides…[Advocates say marine and hydro-kinetic energy] is another arrow in the quiver of the nation’s energy portfolio…[that] increases reliability while also being environmentally friendly…[D]etractors say that the energy form is unproven and expensive, and that governments should not fund such risks…Ocean technologies are part of the larger debate over government’s role in helping to develop and commercialize promising technologies. The Energy Department is calculating that those concepts are a good bet and it is providing some funding to nudge them forward…” click here for more

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WIND’S TAX CREDIT AGAIN DRIVING GROWTH

Wind Power Bookings Accelerate in U.S.

Jack Keough, September 12, 2013 (TED Magazine)

“Nine months ago, Congress and President Obama agreed to extend the Production Tax Credit…The credit contained an important new provision that projects only have to be under construction by the end of the year to qualify, rather than fully operational, as it had been in the past…One of the results…is that wind power seems to be expanding…[O]nly 1.6 megawatts (MW) of power were commissioned during the first few months of the year…[But approximately] 1,300MW are now under construction while more than 3600MW in power purchase agreements have been secured. In total, utility plans for more wind announced in the first six months of this year total nearly 5000MW…” click here for more

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U.S. SOLAR SUSTAINS BOOM

U.S. Installs 832 MW of Solar PV in Q2 2013…forecasts 30 percent U.S. solar market annua growth in 2013

September 12, 2013 (GTM Research)

“…[The U.S. Solar Market Insight report showed] continued growth in the solar market…[T]he U.S. installed 832 megawatts (MW) in Q2 2013, representing 15 percent growth over the first quarter of this year. It was solar's second best quarter ever…[The report] forecasts over 5 gigawatts (GW) of PV and concentrating solar power (CSP) will be installed by the end of 2013…[C]umulative solar PV capacity will surpass 10 GW…” click here for more

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GEOTHERMAL ADVANCES EXPLORATION WITH IMAGING

Simulation Shows Geothermal Energy Potential

September 16, 2013 (Laboratory Equipment)

“Researchers in four countries are using an Idaho National Laboratory modeling program to simulate the subsurface physics important for geothermal energy extraction…The Fracturing And Liquid CONvection (FALCON) code enables simulation that is faster, simpler and more comprehensive than previous options. A U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office award…is yielding results that will advance deployment of geothermal resources by reducing risk and costs of renewable energy development. It is helping researchers evaluate geothermal energy site data, and it may soon be able to offer predictions that could help improve geothermal energy output…To maximize the performance…developers need a thorough understanding of how the heat, fluid, chemical and mechanical components interact underground. That's where FALCON comes in…” click here for more

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ENERGY AND WATER ON COLLISION COURSE

Report: Thirsty U.S. Energy Production On "Collision Course" With Climate-Imperiled Water Supply; Coal-Fired Power, Nuclear, Natural Gas from Fracking Singled Out As Increasingly Untenable in Portions of U.S. Already Struggling With Shrinking Water Supplies; U.S. Needs to Start Planning to Take Into Account Energy Water Use ... Not Just Energy Production.

September 12, 2013 (Civil Society Institute)

“…[C]ritics of solar and wind power are quick to assert that there will be problems for renewable energy when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. But a new Civil Society Institute (CSI) report prepared by Synapse Energy Economics suggests that dirty energy sources - including coal-fired electric power, nuclear power, and natural gas from fracking - face an even bigger challenge…Thermoelectric plants withdraw 41 percent of the nation's fresh water-more than any other sector…The amount of water available to serve diverse needs is a growing concern across the country, from the arid western states to the seemingly water-rich Southeast. Thermoelectric generation compounds the stress…” click here for more

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CALIF AND TEXAS HAVE THE BEST GRIDS

Texas Boasts Most Modern Power Grid In The Country

Marita Murzatuny, September 9, 2013 (Environmental Defense Fund)

“…GridWise Alliance evaluated grid modernization in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Texas and California tied for first place…Texas restructured its electricity market in 1999, introducing competition into the retail electric market. The new competitive retail market gave most Texans a choice of electricity providers…[T]hese energy providers compete to offer the most advanced services…[T]o update Texas’ electric grid, the Public Utility Commission, Texas’ governing body for electricity, passed a resolution prompting “wires companies”(the firms that deliver energy from power plants to homes and businesses) to invest in millions of smart meters…[A]dvanced, smart metering and greater customer engagement could produce a more resilient power grid of the future, where customers participate as “prosumers’ – or consumers and producers of energy…” click here for more

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ARKANSAS WANTS MPG EFFICIENCY RATING FOR HOUSES

Arkansas Proposes “Miles-per-Gallon” Rating for New Homes; Rules Would Provide Market-based Incentives for Home Energy Performance

September 9, 2013 (Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance)

“In a move that spells major benefits for Arkansans, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission – Energy Office (AEO)…will promulgate rules to update Arkansas’ residential energy code and require that all new homes in the state receive an energy rating and label. The proposed rules are designed to improve market recognition of energy efficiency. Energy ratings, which are similar to the miles-per-gallon ratings assigned to cars, would be generated by a third-party Home Energy Rating System (HERS) professional…[M]ore than one million homes have been issued a HERS rating…” click here for more

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MONEY COMING BACK TO SOLAR MANUFACTURING

No Need to Rob the Banks, Upstream PV Revenues are Set to Rebound

Michael Barker, August 30, 2013 (SolarBuzz)

“…[I]t is intriguing that, given the new reality of PV manufacturing with highly automated fabs, governments concerned about ‘job creation’ would ignore the billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of engineering, construction, and installation jobs that go into the downstream of the PV industry…[P]olicy makers can appear to be somewhat negligent, often resulting in outright antagonism to downstream market development…[T]he bright spot is that an industry-wide supply/demand balance, sometimes in spite of trade investigations, is now starting to emerge. While still below previous highs, this is leading to increased revenues and a return to higher margins…[A]s this balancing continues, it is likely that a more equal revenue split will emerge between upstream and downstream players…” click here for more

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GERMAN INSURANCE FUND BUYS MORE NEW ENERGY

Allianz continues wind acquisition strategy

James Quilter, 6 September 2013 (Windpower Monthly)

“Allianz Capital Partners (ACP), the alternative investment arm of the German insurance giant, has taken its wind portfolio beyond 1GW with the acquisition of [the ten turbine, 20MW Haut Chemin project in France from Eole-RES…scheduled to come online in the summer of 2014…The acquisitions have taken Allianz's investment in renewables to around EUR 2 billion, and its portfolio now includes more than 40 wind farms in Germany, France, Italy and Sweden…” click here for more

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NEW ENGLAND CARBON MARKET AT FIVE YEARS

21st Auction Marks Five Years of Success for RGGI; CO2 Allowances Sold at $2.67

September 6, 2013 (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative)

"The nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, …[sold 38,409,043 CO2 allowances at a clearing price of $2.67 in its 21st auction, marking its fifth year of trading]. Allowances sold represent 100 percent of the allowances offered for sale by the nine states. Bids for the CO2 allowances ranged from $1.98 to $12.85 per allowance…The auction generated $102.5 million for reinvestment by the RGGI states in a variety of consumer benefit initiatives, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, direct bill assistance, and greenhouse gas abatement programs. Cumulative proceeds from all RGGI CO2 allowance auctions currently total $1.4 billion dollars…” click here for more

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HAWAII GETS 91% FROM WIND ENERGY

Maui Electric: Less Wind Energy Wasted, More Savings to Come

Nathan Eagle, September 4, 2013 (Honolulu Civil Beat)

“Thanks to a few operational changes [involving stationary and electric vehicle battery storage, grid integration methods and consumer-level automated efficiencies], Maui Electric says it is now using 91 percent of the Valley Isle’s available wind energy…The nearly 20 percent improvement is expected to trim $22 annually off a typical Maui home’s electric bill…The company expects to push it up to 98 percent — another $7 to $10 in savings — with changes over the next several years…” click here for more

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BRINGING SOLAR MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE U.S.

Solar-cell manufacturing costs: innovation could level the field; Study shows that factors other than wages dominate trends in photovoltaic costs, raising the prospect of competitive manufacturing anywhere.

David L. Chandler, September 5, 2013 (MIT News Office)

“…China is [not] the world’s dominant manufacturer of solar panels because of its low labor costs and strong government support…[Though China accounted for 63 percent of all solar-panel production worldwide in 2011, a] new study by researchers at MIT and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that other factors are actually more significant — suggesting that the United States could once again become cost-competitive in photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing…[The] detailed analysis of all costs associated with PV production shows that the main contributors to [China’s] lower PV prices are economies of scale and well-developed supply chains — not cheap labor…” click here for more

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NM-AZ TRANSMISSION LINE MOVES AHEAD

SunZia signs deal with wind energy company; Controversy remains over transmission project's plans to cross WSMR land

Milan Simonich, September 6, 2013 (Las Cruces Sun-News)

"SunZia, the company that hopes to build its [Southwest Transmission Project] stretching across 515 miles of New Mexico and Arizona…[has] signed an anchor tenant….First Wind Energy reserved up to 1,500 megawatts of transmission capacity…[for its] high-capacity wind generation projects in central New Mexico…[T]he line would transport solar and wind power to provide electricity for Western population centers…[and] New Mexico would land 24,600 construction jobs if the company's preferred route is approved by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Arizona would get about 18,000 construction jobs…” click here for more

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TX COUNTY RAISES SALARIES ON WIND INCOME

Willacy reaps wind farm windfall; Turbines to fuel county pay raises

Fernando Del Valle, August 28, 2013 (Valley Morning Star)

“Willacy County officials have proposed a $14.2 million budget boosted by a wind farm windfall that would pay for 10 percent employee raises and seven new county employees, all without a tax increase…The county’s first tax revenues from wind turbines pumped about $591,000 into the budget, Auditor Ida Martinez said…County Judge John F. Gonzales Jr. said the money would be used for a $650,000 package that would give 10 percent raises to about 95 employees…Duke Energy, one of two wind farms companies operating in Willacy County, gave the county a $275,000 payment in lieu of taxes…” click here for more

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Texas is the national leader in wind energy - with more installed capacity, more wind turbines and more jobs than any other state. The wind energy industry in Texas has created thousands of jobs and provided billions of dollars in economic benefits. (click through for the AWEA Texas Page)

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ARMY PUTS $7BIL INTO SUN

Army awards second technology under $7 billion renewable energy MATOC

August 28, 2013 (Army Corps of Engineers)

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center…working with the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF), awarded Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) to a group of 22 qualified solar technology contractors…Solar is the second of four technologies being awarded under $7 billion Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production for DoD Installations MATOC. The first, geothermal, was awarded May 3. The remaining technologies -- wind and biomass -- will be awarded on a staggered schedule by the end of the calendar year. The contractors that are qualified through this process will be able to compete for future projects within their approved technology area…” click here for more

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DOE BUYS INTO WAVE, TIDAL ENERGY

Energy Department Invests $16 Million to Harness Wave and Tidal Energy

August 29, 2013 (Energy.Gov)

“…[The Energy Department] announced $16 million for seventeen projects to help sustainably and efficiently capture energy from waves, tides and currents. Together, these projects will increase the power production and reliability of wave and tidal devices and help gather valuable data on how deployed devices interact with the surrounding environment…Tidal and wave energy…can be harnessed wherever changing tides, waves or currents move a significant volume of water – including off the coasts of many U.S. cities where there is high electricity demand. The Department’s latest nationwide wave and tidal energy resource assessments identify up to 1,400 terawatt hours of potential generation per year…” click here for more

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CHINA TO DOUBLE ENERGY WITH NEW ENERGY HALF OF BUILD

China Power Seen Doubling With Renewables as Coal Holds Sway

Sally Bakewell, August 26, 2013 (Bloomberg News)

“China’s generation capacity will more than double to 2030, with half of all new plants powered by renewable energy and coal remaining the most important fuel…China may add 1,583 gigawatts of capacity and attract $1.4 trillion in renewables investment by that year, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report. Coal will still account for more than 50 percent of power generation…[China] is seeking to meet demand that will probably grow 5 percent a year while forging a cleaner future after smog in Beijing in June surpassed hazardous levels. The government has boosted solar-power targets…” click here for more

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TRANSMISSION TO US INTERRUPTUS

Energy Distributions Can’t Keep up with Wind Energy Production

September 1, 2013 (AllGov)

“…[T]he antiquated energy distribution system is preventing wind from reaching its full potential—often forcing wind farms to throttle back on windy days. Although the technology to solve the problem has existed for years, foot-dragging by utility companies has left the U.S. ill-prepared…That’s becoming a bigger problem every year, as an alternative energy revolution continues to gather strength. In 2012, wind power was the biggest source (43%) of new energy capacity while its price neared an all-time low and total U.S. wind-generation capacity reached 60 gigawatts–5% of total production capacity, with more than twice that much (135 GW) in the pipeline…” click here for more

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CAR DEALERS GO SOLAR

Two Car Dealerships Cut Costs by Going to Solar Power; Narly Honda and Smithtown Acura install solar energy systems to go green, save on energy costs.

Sara Walsh, September 1, 2013 (Smithtown Patch)

"…Nardy Honda of St. James and Smithtown Acura are among the first car dealerships in the nation to…[participate in American Honda's Partnership with Solar City…by installing turnkey solar power [to reduce emissions and save on energy costs]…The two dealerships - both third-generation automotive dealers…received the American Honda and Acura Environmental Leadership Award, an award that recognizes car dealers who significantly reduce their environmental impact…American Honda's partnership with Solar City also allows dealerships in 13 other states to install solar systems with little to no upfront costs…” click here for more

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OFFSHORE WIND CHEAPER THAN SOLAR

The Truth-O-Meter Says Mostly True: Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski says offshore wind power cheaper than solar power in R.I.

August 31, 2013 (PolitiFact Rhode Island)

“…PolitiFact Rhode Island rated as False a statement by Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski that offshore wind power is ‘significantly less expensive than solar energy.’ …We based that ruling on a comparison of the estimated price of Deepwater’s planned 1,000 megawatt wind farm with a recent contract price for a solar project in Rhode Island. Deepwater Wind objected to the ruling, pointing to contract prices of several other Rhode Island solar projects. Based on that information and a second review, we have changed our ruling to Mostly True…” click here for more

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CALIF BILL WOULD UP GEOTHERMAL’S VALUE

Amendment elevates Salton Sea geothermal resources in procurement process

August 31, 2013 (Imperial Valley Press)

"…As amended, SB 760 directs the California Public Utilities Commission to consider base load renewable energy resources in the Salton Sea basin as a means to achieve the state’s 33 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard…Rather than a mandate, the bill instead requires the PUC to consider geothermal resources given the energy source’s ability to provide reliable, non-greenhouse gas emitting power…State policies adopted by the Legislature and through Executive Order…[and] the replacement and/or retirement of several Southern California power plants have created opportunities to aggressively pursue non-greenhouse gas emitting energy…” click here for more

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FACT-CHECK ON SMART BUILDINGS

Top 10 Smart Building Myths—Busted: JLL Debunks Misperceptions; Smart buildings are a no-brainer and more affordable than most building owners and investors realize

August 28, 2013 (Jones Lang LaSalle)

"Smart buildings have been proven to save energy, streamline facilities management and prevent expensive equipment failures…Smart building technology investments typically pay for themselves within one or two years…often can detect when a piece of equipment is close to failure and alert facilities… maximize energy efficiency from building systems…have demonstrated the return on investment in smart technologies…gather data from disparate systems produced by any manufacturer…[and are] often easier to operate and maintain than a building that lacks automated systems…” click here for more

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