PG&E Proposes Largest Cali EV Charging Network

Joanna Schroeder February 13, 2015

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has asked California state regulators for approval to build out a 25,000 electric vehicle (EV) network throughout Central and Northern California. If approved, PG&E said this program will be the largest deployment of EV charging stations in the country.

The chargers would be located at commercial and public locations, including multi-family dwellings, retail centers and business parking lots. Approximately 10 percent of the chargers would be installed to support disadvantaged communities. PG&E would also provide tools and educational materials for site hosts and customers to learn about the benefits of EVs.

“Our proposed build-out of EV charging infrastructure aims to accelerate customer adoption of clean, quiet, and efficient plug-in vehicles by reducing lingering range anxiety. It reflects our commitment to helping the state of California meet its critical clean air and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals by promoting cleaner transportation,” said Tony Earley, chairman, president, and CEO of PG&E Corporation.

He continued, “By supporting market acceptance of electric vehicles, it should create tremendous new opportunities for other infrastructure and technology companies, help keep California in the forefront of EV innovation, and create new jobs in local communities across Northern and Central California.”

More than 60,000 plug-in electric vehicles are currently registered in PG&E’s service area, which represents more than a fifth of all EVs in the U.S. The Governor’s Office has called for 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles in California by 2025 to help meet the state’s ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. To support that plan, industry models suggest that PG&E’s service area will need about 100,000 Level 2 chargers in public locations by 2020.

All of the 25,000 stations PG&E proposes to build would have Level 2 chargers, which provide up to 25 miles of range for every hour of charging. To support travel between metropolitan areas, PG&E would also install at key locations 100 DC fast chargers, which can recharge an EV’s battery in only 30 minutes.

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Electricity

First Solar, Apple Strike Bright Power Deal

Joanna Schroeder February 13, 2015

A bright power deal was struck this week when Apple committed $848 million to purchase clean energy from First Solar’s California Flats Solar Project in Monterey County, Calif. Apple will receive electricity from 130 MW AC of the solar project under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), the largest agreement in the industry to provide clean energy to a commercial end user according to First Solar.

“Apple is leading the way in addressing climate change by showing how large companies can serve their operations with 100 percent clean, renewable energy,” said Joe Kishkill, chief commercial officer for First Solar. “Apple’s commitment was instrumental in making this project possible and will significantly increase the supply of solar power in California. Over time, the renewable energy from California Flats will provide cost savings over alternative sources of energy as well as substantially lower environmental impact.”

Construction of the 2,900-acre California Flats Solar Project is expected to begin in mid-2015 and to be completed by the end of 2016. The output of the remaining 150 MW of the project will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under a separate long-term PPA, and the project is fully subscribed between the Apple and PG&E PPAs.

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

Calgren Ethanol Biodigester Off and Digesting

Joanna Schroeder February 13, 2015

The Calgren Ethanol Biodigester is off and digesting waste from dairy farms into ethanol. The ethanol will be used by consumers in California’s Central Valley. The Two-Stage Mixed Plug Flow Digester was designed by DVO, Inc. and built by Regenis. The partners said it is the first California digester to use agricultural waste to create renewable natural gas to power another renewable energy facility, creating a step forward in a virtuous, zero waste lifecycle.

The process begins with local dairy, Four J Farms, sending their cow waste to the Calgren digester, which captures methane and burns it as clean biogas. While Calgren will be utilizing the renewable gas to power its facility, the digester will also greatly reduce bacteria and pathogens so dairy farmers can reuse the liquids (water) safely on their crops.

“I am proud of the contribution that Calgren can make to this incredibly green, low-carbon intensity project,” said Lyle Schlyer, president of Calgren Renewable Fuels. “Digesters are often talked about, but actually building one and getting it into operation doesn’t happen all that often. This is a marriage of industrial and dairy interests.”

The California Energy Commission (CEC) invested $4.6 million in the project. In January 2015, CEC issued rules that could increase the number of digester projects around the state. Today California imports over 90 percent of its natural gas and in 2013 the state constructed nearly half of all the new natural gas-fired power plants built in the U.S. The need to import the energy is fueling the state’s commitment to supporting locally produced alternative forms of power.

“The San Joaquin Valley is challenged with some of country’s worst air pollution,” noted Janea A. Scott, Commissioner at the CEC. “The Pixley Biogas anaerobic digester is the first anaerobic digester on a California farm permitted to use all feedstocks, including municipal green waste and food processing waste. This type of innovative technology helps California meet its clean air, petroleum reduction, and climate goals.”

Agribusiness, Alternative energy, biodigester, biogas, Ethanol

Nopetro to Roll Out CNG in Florida

Joanna Schroeder February 13, 2015

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) has awarded Nopetro a contract to build and operate a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations, provide improvements to its maintenance facility and convert the public but fleet to CNG. In addition to fueling LYNX’s bus fleet, Nopetro’s station will also be available to serve private commercial fleets and the public at large.

“Once again, LYNX is at the forefront of the nationwide movement to build sustainable public transportation systems,” said John M. Lewis Jr., CEO of LYNX. “Switching to CNG makes sense both financially and environmentally for Central Florida transit, and Nopetro’s collaboration made an easy choice even easier.”

LYNX has estimated that converting their city buses from diesel to CNG will achieve a return of investment in three years. The fleets are expected to be converted by the second half of 2015. The plan is for LYNX to purchase and/or lease an initial 35 CNG buses and to have more than 150 CNG buses in their fleet within the next five years.

“This partnership will positively impact the 30 million riders who utilize LYNX public transportation services each year, as they travel throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Chair of the LYNX Board of Directors. “Converting our buses to run on CNG is part of our continuing efforts to improve operations through innovative technologies.”

Nopetro cites converting to CNG offers more than financial savings to local government agencies. Experts note that switching to CNG cuts emissions drastically, including particulate matter by 89 percent, carbon monoxide by 70 percent, carbon dioxide by 25 percent and nitrous oxide by 80 percent.

Jorge Herrera, co-founder and CEO of Nopetro, concluded, “We are proud to work with LYNX and look forward to helping the agency continue to offer affordable public transportation services while creating a cleaner environment. The switch from diesel to CNG will spur significant savings and position LYNX ahead of the curve across the country.”

Alternative Vehicles, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder February 13, 2015

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) has released, “A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing: Leases, Loans and PPAs,” to help homeowners navigate the complex landscape of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system financing. The free online guide describes three popular residential solar financing choices – leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) – and explains the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as how they compare to a direct cash purchase. It clarifies key solar financing terms and provides a list of questions homeowners should ask before deciding if and how to proceed with installing a solar system.
Pattern Energy Group has announced the addition of the 147 megawatt (MW) Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind project to its list of identified Right of First Offer (ROFO) projects from Pattern Development. The Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind project, which is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Québec City in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec. Pattern Development expects to begin construction of the project in the third quarter of 2016 and anticipates reaching commercial operation in December 2017.
Mainstream Renewable Power has announced the successful completion of financial close for three wind farms in South Africa with a combined capacity of 360 megawatts. The wind farms, which are all located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, represent an investment of approximately US $760 million and are expected to commence construction this month.
Coronal Group LLC has announced that it has acquired the majority of the assets of HelioSage Energy and formed Coronal Development Services, LLC, immediately establishing a robust end-to-end solar development solution available to commercial and utility clients in North America. Together with Panasonic Eco Solutions, Coronal owns and operates a portfolio of solar facilities in North America totaling nearly 100 MW. The HelioSage acquisition will add in excess of 300 MW of near Notice To Proceed projects and more than 1.5 GWs of projects in development.

Bioenergy Bytes

Procter & Gamble to Build 50 MW Biomass Plant

John Davis February 13, 2015

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced a deal with retail power supplier Constellation to build a 50-megawatt biomass plant that will help run one of P&G’s largest U.S. facilities, as well as provide electricity for the local utility. This company news release says the facility will be built near P&G’s Albany, Georgia paper manufacturing facility and help the company come closer to its 2020 goal of obtaining 30 percent of its total energy from renewable sources.

For more than 30 years, the Albany facility has successfully used a smaller onsite biomass boiler to convert wood scraps into renewable steam, providing about 30 percent of the total energy. The new facility will replace P&G’s aging boiler with a highly efficient combined heat and power biomass unit. Incoming biomass will provide 100 percent of the steam, and up to 60-70 percent of the total energy used to manufacture Bounty paper towels and Charmin toilet tissue.

“At P&G, we are committed to improving the environmental sustainability of our products across all aspects of their life cycle – from manufacturing, packaging, delivery and consumer use,” said Martin Riant, P&G Executive Sponsor of Sustainability and Group President, Global Baby and Feminine & Family Care. “As this project enables us to operate one of our largest global plants with a renewable energy source, it will reduce the environmental footprint of two leading brands, Bounty and Charmin. We see this as a win for our business, consumers, partners and the environment.”

Construction is already underway at the site and is expected to begin commercial operation in June 2017.

biomass

Indiana City Debates Sludge-to-Biodiesel Deal

John Davis February 13, 2015

An Indiana city is debating the merits of a contract with a company turning sludge into biodiesel. This story from TV station WTHI in Terre Haute says the city council there discussed the contract the city good have with Powerdyne.

Powerdyne’s CEO Geoff Hirson faced the music Thursday night. He answered plenty of questions from the City Council, from a pair of engineers who question his project, and News 10. What we learned is he’s confident in is project, he wants to locate in Terre Haute, but time is of the essence.

It was standing room only at Thursday’s City Council meeting. Hirson made a brief presentation outlining the process his company will use to turn sludge and other carbon sources into biofuels.

“Everything is ready to go,” said Hirson. “It’s in the city’s hands now to decide whether they want us or don’t want us.”

Hirson said he wants to have the plant in Terre Haute, but the process has been dragging on for too long. And with the plant being a $300 million investment that Powerdyne has had to finance, every day its delayed is costing the company money.

Once finished, the plant is expected to produce 12 million gallons of biodiesel each year.

Biodiesel

Wind Power Will Help Meet Clean Power Plan

Joanna Schroeder February 12, 2015

According to a new report released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), adding more wind power to the U.S. electric grid can help the country meet the goals set out in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan. Carbon emissions will be reduced and the lights will stay on, said AWEA, as wind power is already providing clean and reliable power for millions of Americans.

“Americans want energy security, clean air, and a more reliable energy system,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan. “Diversifying our energy mix with wind helps us achieve all of these goals at once.”

During a press webinar this morning, AWEA Senior Director of Research Michael Goggin walked through the several of the most common questions about wind power and readability that are answered in the report. The report focuses on the 15 most common questions and provides answers drawing on the expertise of grid operators along with other research.

Goggin explained that as wind energy has grown to provide a larger share of our electricity mix, wind turbine technology has matured so that modern wind plants are able to provide the same grid reliability services as conventional generators. Changes in wind output are not a major issue for grid operators because all power plants are already backed up by all other power plants, and grid operators already deal with large fluctuations in electricity supply and demand. In fact, the gradual and predictable changes in wind power are also much easier for grid operators to address than the large-scale outages that can occur at conventional power plants.

“Based on grid operators’ experience with reliably and cost-effectively integrating very large amounts of wind energy, wind can play can play a key role in meeting EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” said AWEA Senior Director of Research Michael Goggin.

Real-world examples presented in the report help illustrate the significant role wind energy is already playing including in Texas when fossil-fired power plants failed in the cold in February 2011, and more recently did so again across much of the U.S. during the “Polar Vortex” in early 2014.

According to Wind Vision, a new Department of Energy report due for release in early 2015, will show that wind could double from today’s amount to reliably supply 10 percent of the nation’s electricity demand by 2020, 20 percent by 2030 and 35 percent by 2050. However, as stressed by Kiernan during the presser, a long-term commitment to support wind energy by the federal government through programs such as Production Tax Credit will be critical to meeting the goals set forth in the Clean Power Plan as well as the President Obama’s climate change objectives.

Click here to read the full report.

Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Climate Change, Electricity, Research, Wind

Murphy USA Expands Sale of E15

Joanna Schroeder February 12, 2015

Murphy USA has expanded its support of E15 with stations opening in the suburbs of Chicago and Houston in 2015. E15 is a blend of gasoline and 15 percent ethanol and is approved by the EPA for use in 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles. Nearly 80 percent of vehicles on U.S. roads are approved to use E15.

“We are excited to offer E15 in addition to our existing product offerings. Murphy USA will continue to pursue opportunities to offer the fuel our customers desire,” said a spokesperson for Murphy USA. E15, a blend of gasoline and 15 percent ethanol, is EPA-approved to be used by 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles. Those vehicles account for 85 percent of fuel use in the United States.

Growth Energy welcomed the announcement. “Growth Energy applauds Murphy USA’s ongoing commitment to bring higher blends of homegrown renewable fuels to the American motorist,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “Their dedication to providing the consumer with the best, most cost-effective product is commendable. Furthermore, we are thrilled to see Murphy USA’s success and decision to expand into new markets. Higher blends such as E15 are helping reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve our environment through reduced emissions and support our domestic economy by creating jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

Buis said that retailers who offer E15 and other mid-level and higher blends of ethanol at competitive prices see increased sales and noted that consumers who use the fuel see better performance.

E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Renewable Energy

Clean Power Plan Won’t Affect Grid Reliability

Joanna Schroeder February 12, 2015

Following the launch of the Clean Power Plan, concerns were raised about how adding renewable energy to the grid would affect reliability. According to a new report conducted by The Brattle Group, compliance is unlikely to materially affect reliability. The report finds, “The combination of the ongoing transformation of the power sector, the steps already taken by system operators, the large and expanding set of technological and operational tools available and the flexibility under the CPP are likely sufficient to ensure that compliance will not come at the cost of reliability.

Report lead author Jurgen Weiss PhD, senior researcher and lead author said that while the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) focused on concerns about the feasibility of achieving emissions standards with the technologies used to set the standards, they did not address several mitigating factors. These include:

The impact of retiring older, inefficient coal plants, due to current environmental regulations and market trends, on emissions rates of the remaining fleet;
Various ways to address natural gas pipeline constraints; and
Evidence that that higher levels of variable renewable energy sources can be effectively managed.

“With the tools currently available for managing an electric power system that is already in flux, we think it unlikely that compliance with EPA carbon rules will have a significant impact on reliability,” reported Weiss.

In November 2014, NERC issued an Initial Reliability Review in which it identified elements of the Clean Power Plan that could lead to reliability concerns. Echoed by some grid operators and cited in comments to EPA submitted by states, utilities, and industry groups, the NERC study has made reliability a critical issue in finalizing, and then implementing, the Clean Power Plan. These concerns compelled AEE to respond to the concerns by commissioning the Brattle study.

“We see EPA’s Clean Power Plan as an historic opportunity to modernize the U.S. electric power system,” said Malcolm Woolf, Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs for Advanced Energy Economy, a business association. “We believe that advanced energy technologies, put to work by policies and market rules that we see in action today, will increase the reliability and resiliency of the electric power system, not reduce it. This report from The Brattle Group confirms that the Clean Power Plan can be implemented without reliability concerns.”

Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Electricity, energy efficiency

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