Study: Solar Power Would Lower Texans’ Energy Bills

John Davis

A new study shows that adding solar capacity to the Texas electrical grid would lower electricity prices for customers in the Lone Star State. This press release from the Solar Energy Industries Association says an analysis from the Brattle Group energy consultancy explains how solar photovoltaic (PV) systems would impact the rates:

Their report concludes that adding photovoltaic solar to the Texas electricity grid in the summer of 2011 could have saved customers an average of $155 to $281 per megawatt hour (MWh) and that avoiding fuel, operations and maintenance costs associated with fossil fuels plans could have saved customers an additional $52 per MWh. Taken together, the total customer benefits of adding solar PV to the Texas grid was valued at more than $520 million.

Pat Wood, former chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said solar is a natural fit for Texas’ energy capacity problems because solar electricity production peaks during afternoon hours when summer electricity demand is highest.

“Texas needs more on-peak capacity,” Wood said. “Solar delivers on peak, it doesn’t use water and it doesn’t create any smog pollution. It is increasingly affordable, competing favorably with other peak-of-the-day resources.”

Carrie Cullen Hitt, Vice President of State Affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the double benefit of lower electricity costs and increased reliability makes solar a clear choice for the state.

“This study shows that not only can solar energy help lower costs for Texans, but that adding solar capacity helps address the state’s more urgent crisis of potential rolling blackouts during the hot summer months,” Hitt said. “The state’s electricity grid was pushed to the brink of failure last summer. As Texas leaders address ways to mitigate this risk and the state’s energy future, solar should be an important part of their plans.”

The report goes on to point out that last year’s unusually hot summer last year forced six conservation alerts because of record electricity usage in the state, and similar problems could come up this summer.

Solar, Utilities

RFA Partners with Talker Likis to Educate about Ethanol

John Davis

Getting out the facts about ethanol is what the Renewable Fuels Association is all about. That’s why the RFA is partnering with car-talk host Bobby Likis to extend their ethanol educational outreach to automotive service professionals. This RFA press release says the outreach is highlighted with the program “Calling All Technicians…20 Facts About Ethanol” on the Car Clinic Network, using radio, websites, social media, print media and key events.

Likis – award-winning, national talk-show host, answering over 100,000 automotive consumer questions live on air – has worn many hats in the automotive industry, including technician, service desk advisor, service shop owner, engine builder and pit crew. “I have 40 years of hands-on experience in servicing and repairing vehicles and building rear-engine dragsters,” says Likis. He continues, “I know we technicians share ‘prove-it’ mindsets, so in that spirit, my aim is to give techs the info they need to make informed decisions…in their service bays, at the pump and at the polls.”

Bob Dinneen, RFA’s President and CEO commented, “We are excited to have Bobby Likis on our team helping to educate mechanics and car enthusiasts about the benefits of ethanol and the introduction of E15 which will bring more consumer choice to the pump. Auto service professionals are often the first and most important line of communicating with car owners. With Bobby’s help we can educate these professionals on the cost-saving, engine performance, job-creating, environmentally-friendly benefits of an American-made fuel that is successfully reducing our dependence upon foreign oil. With Bobby’s auto industry credibility and his coast-to-coast audience, this partnership is an exciting endeavor.”

You can find out more about the efforts on radio stations and the social media network of the Car Clinic Network.

automotive, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Ag Energy Coalition Recognizes Work on Farm Bill

John Davis

A coalition working to make sure there are resources in this year’s Farm Bill to prop up renewable energy has recognized Ohio Congresswoman Rep. Marcy Kaptur and 16 other lawmakers for their work on energy programs in the current legislation:

The Ag Energy Coalition applauded Kaptur and bill’s original co-sponsors, including Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Rep. Donna Christensen (D-V.I.), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), Rep. Ben Lujan (D-N.M.), Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Me.), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Me.), Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), and Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), for their efforts:

“The Farm Bill’s bi-partisan energy title has been a tremendous economic driver for communities throughout rural America, funding renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in every state and unlocking capital markets for the commercialization of advanced biofuels, biopower and bioproducts, expanded wind, and solar as well as improved energy efficiency for farmers and rural businesses across the country,” stated Lloyd Ritter, a founder and co-director of AgEC.

Rep. Kaptur’s bill, entitled the Rural Energy Investment Act (REIA) of 2012, is comprehensive farm energy legislation that would provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture with new resources and authorities to continue and broaden its vital mission of diversifying agricultural energy opportunities for farmers, businesses and rural landowners, saving or creating thousands of new energy employment opportunities.

Kaptur’s bill would strengthen and fund the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and streamline the application process. In addition, it would fund several other ag-based, domestic fuel initiatives.

Government, Legislation

Truman Project VP Talks Green Energy to Congress

John Davis

Folks from the Truman Project, a progressive think tank, were on Capitol Hill today, making their pitch for green energy.

Mike Breen, Vice President of the Truman National Security Project and Operation Free Veteran, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, talking about the need for clean, domestic energy:

“The connection between our energy posture and the national security threats we face could not be more clear. Yet, even in the face of overwhelming evidence and the certain consequences that inaction will bring, some say that we cannot or should not act, claiming that the pace of progress is too slow, or the costs too high. Fortunately, there are still those who remember what the nay-sayers have forgotten: when Americans stand together, there is no new market we cannot master, and no technological revolution America cannot lead. By investing in 21st century technologies, like wind, solar and biofuels, we can reduce our dependence on oil and ensure America’s national security.”

You can check out Breen’s testimony here.

Energy, Government, Legislation

Partnership to Power Small Wind Project at NY Plant

John Davis

While big wind turbine projects sometimes get most of the attention, small scale projects are making their presence known as well.

Gamesa Technology Corp., Inc. and its partner Harvest the Wind Network (HTWN) have announced a plan to put in a community wind project at HARBEC Plastics in western New York:

This is Gamesa’s first distributed wind project with Harvest the Wind. The two companies signed an agreement in March that makes Harvest the Wind a primary distributor of Gamesa’s family of G5X-850 kW turbines for community and distributed wind energy projects. Harvest the Wind’s regional partner, Sustainable Energy Developments (SED), designed, permitted, and will install the G58 turbine on a 55-meter tower at the Wayne Industrial Sustainability Park, where HARBEC is located. SED is a regional distributed wind pioneer and quality leader in the Northeast U.S.

“This project highlights Gamesa’s expanding leadership in the distributed and community wind market, which remains a vital and growing sector for our industry,” said David Rosenberg, vice president of marketing for Gamesa North America.

“HARBEC Plastics, already an environmentally responsible company, is a great example of how a local company and industrial park can benefit from distributed wind,” said Haley Estes, vice president of Harvest the Wind Network. “With our first project underway, we’re excited to see what we can achieve with Gamesa in helping more businesses across the U.S. adopt cleaner power.”

This particular model of wind turbine has been in use since 2001 and is online in nearly 9,500 units worldwide. Construction on this project at HARBEC’s Ontario, N.Y. facility is expected to begin this September with it coming fully online by the end of the year.

Wind

Ethanol Group to Honor Nebraska Senator

Cindy Zimmerman

ACEThe American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is saluting U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) during its upcoming 25th annual ethanol conference for the Senator’s efforts in advancing the ethanol industry.

Nelson will be receiving the Merle Anderson Award for his leadership in supporting the renewable fuels industry while serving as Governor and Senator of Nebraska. Nelson established the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition in 1991, helped create the first energy title in a farm bill, and played a key role in passing the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in 2005, and the expanded RFS in 2007.

ACE Executive Director Brian Jennings says Senator Nelson was a perfect candidate for the award this year.

“Senator Nelson has been a great champion on behalf of the ethanol industry. His work and leadership during his time in office really gave a boost to rural economies in Nebraska as well as across America. His efforts have also helped move our country away from a reliance on foreign oil. We are honored that he will be able to accept the Merle Anderson Award at our 25th anniversary conference,” Jennings said.

Nelson will receive the award during the 25th annual ACE Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on August 10th. The conference runs August 8-10.

The Merle Anderson Award is named in honor of the founder and first president of ACE, Merle Anderson, who serves as Chairman Emeritus of the ACE board of directors. The award is presented annually to recognize an individual who has made distinguished and significant contributions to the advancement of the ethanol industry. Other ACE Conference honorees will be announced at the 25th annual ACE Conference in Omaha later this summer.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Gas-to-Energy Plant in Lenox, Michigan Up & Running

Joanna Schroeder

Construction is complete at the gas-to-energy plant at the Pine Trees Acres Renewable Energy Facility in Lenox, Michigan. Once operational, the facility will generate 12.8 megawatts of electricity, enough to power nearly 12,000 average sized homes. The Pine Tree Acres Renewable Energy Facility, that sits on 14.5 acres of land, generates up to 4,800 cubic feet per minute of landfill gas. This is funneled into eight 20-cylinder engines and produces electricity that is delivered to Consumers Energy customers.

“Waste Management is committed to the investments and innovative technology required to bring a state-of-the-art facility like this to Macomb County communities,” said Chuck Cassie, Senior District Manager for Waste Management. “By converting waste into energy for more than 12,000 residents, the new Pine Tree Acres Green Energy Plant represents the best of having tomorrow’s technology here and now.”

There is an existing gas-to-energy plant currently operational on the site and produces 8.8 megawatts of electricity. In total, the two plants will generate 12.6 megawatts, or enough energy to power nearly 19,500 homes.

Cassie added, “Green energy is reliable energy. As technology allows Waste Management to extract more and more out of waste, landfill gas will continue serving as an ideal source of reliable energy –- for Macomb County and beyond.”

Electricity, Energy

The Right Place in the Right Place for Funding

Joanna Schroeder

The Michigan Business Development Program has awarded $450,000 for Altronics Energy, LLC. The Right Place, a regional non-profit economic development organization, along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Byron Township all worked together to secure the funding. The funds will be used toward a $2.5 million expansion underway as part of the collaboration between Altronics Energy and Windtronics.

Altronics provides manufacturing, distribution and training services for The Honeywell Wind Turbine, manufactured by WindTronics. The funds will help purchase new equipment and pay for facility improvements. The expansion is estimated to take three years and generate 90 new jobs.

“Altronics Energy is proof that American manufacturing and innovation is alive and well in West Michigan,” said Susan Jackson, Senior Business Development Manager, The Right Place, Inc. “This expansion confirms that market diversification in manufacturing works and leads to jobs and growth.”

In addition to the expansion project, Grand Rapids Community College partnered with The Right Place, MEDC and Altronics to provide $200,000 dedicated to training the workforce needed in the wind energy industry.  The program will train 51 new hires as part of the Michigan New Jobs program.

Electricity, Energy, Wind

American Ethanol Flags Fly in Michigan

Cindy Zimmerman

NASCAR fans attending the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway were flying American Ethanol Green flags as the cars promoting ethanol and family farmers hit the track.

Corn growers and the American Ethanol team distributed 3,000 flags to campers prior to the races, where Kenny Wallace piloted the Family Farmers car on Saturday and Austin Dillon made his 2012 Sprint Cup debut in a full American Ethanol paint scheme on Sunday.

“It was a terrific weekend to be at the races,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. “There was so much excitement on the part of the drivers and the fans, and you could not miss the involvement of our growers and others in spreading the word about America’s favorite renewable fuel.”

Even Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was at the race and got a flag – a bigger one than most fans got. The senator met with corn grower leaders prior to the race to discuss several topics of importance to growers, including protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the pending farm bill in the Senate.

American Ethanol, corn, NASCAR, NCGA

Ethanol Industry Prepares for E15 Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol Report PodcastWith the approval by EPA of the first retailers to sell 15% ethanol blends, the industry is gearing up for imminent sales of the new blend level, possibly this week. In this edition of “The Ethanol Report,” Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen talks about how the final, final hurdle to E15 sales was overcome and what the industry is doing now.

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report here: Ethanol Report on Final E15 Hurdle

Subscribe to the Ethanol Report here.

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA