Press Release
PORTLAND, Ind. (Aug. 19, 2010) - Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC announced today it will expand its SolarAg division here, creating up to 120 new jobs by 2013.
Founded in 2003, Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment designs agricultural buildings and equipment. In late 2009 it launched SolarAg to develop and produce solar collectors and equipment. The company plans to invest $1.9 million to renovate its 60,000 square-foot facility located at 1001 North Wayne St. to accommodate research, development and production of solar thermal collector panels.
"Fort Recovery Construction is Hoosier entrepreneurial spirit at its finest," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "Indiana's agricultural success is directly tied to our economic success so it is critical that Fort Recovery Construction continue to be on the leading edge of an exciting industry with so much promise,"
SolarAg Systems says that solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. The firm has developed a variety of solar products for residential and commercial use including heating and air conditioning, thermal floor heating, attic ventilation equipment, pool heating and photovoltaic products. To date, SolarAg Systems has sold over 3 million BTUs of solar thermal energy.
"We have seen our market share grow at a tremendous rate, due in large part to the exceptional design and performance of our patented solar thermal collectors. The overwhelming support that we have received from the city of Portland, Jay County and the state of Indiana convinced us that Indiana is the perfect location for our expansion. We are convinced that Indiana's progressive, pro-business environment, innovative workforce and unmatched technological and manufacturing expertise make the state a center for research, development and production in the renewable energy industry," said Brad Stultz, director of alternative energy development for SolarAg Systems.
The company plans to begin hiring management, sales and production associates once facility upgrades are complete later this fall. Interested applicants can apply at their local WorkOne center or online at www.indianacareerconnect.com .
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC up to $535,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Portland has approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Jay County Development Corporation.
"We appreciate the investment and development Ft. Recovery Construction & Equipment is creating in the city of Portland. This expansion project is another example of the confidence level existing businesses have in the creation of new opportunities and the retention of existing jobs for the benefit of our community and our state," said Mayor Bruce W. Hosier.
About Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC
SolarAg Systems' parent company Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC was formed by David and Linda Lowe as a response to a booming agricultural industry in the greater state of Indiana. In an effort to meet the ever-increasing energy demands FRCE, LLC began research into renewable energy sources leading to the expansion and introduction of Solar Ag Systems. SolarAg Systems has devoted countless hours to the research and development of our innovative solar collectors and corresponding solar equipment. This R&D has led us to discover man ways to enhance our current products, including the use of more technologically advanced monitoring and control systems.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov .
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation
SolarAg Systems is a member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants
Release No. 0410.10
Contact:
Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498
186 Projects Help Farmers and Rural Businesses Become More Efficient
Des Moines, Iowa, August 17, 2010 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA Rural Development is providing $23.4 million in loans and grants for 186 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Vilsack made the announcement while visiting the Iowa State Fair.
"President Obama and I are committed to helping our nation become energy independent by helping rural businesses become more energy efficient," Vilsack said. "This funding will not only help our farmers and small businesses reduce energy costs, but also more efficient and competitive."
For example, Primus Farms, Inc. of Grundy, Iowa, has been selected to receive a $23,162 grant and a $23,162 loan. This funding will be used to replace an outdated grain dryer with a new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 54.58 percent in annual energy savings.
In Franklin, Mass., Berkshire East Ski Area has been selected for a $1.5 million guaranteed loan to assist rural small businesses in developing a renewable energy system. This project will fund a large wind energy generation system that will offset the firm's energy use and provide a portion for sale.
USDA energy efficiency programs often yield double digit energy savings. The Glen Coble & Sons, Inc., ranch in Mullen, Neb., reduced its electricity draw from the local utility by 30 percent after it received a $14,725 USDA Rural Development grant in 2008 to install five wind turbines.
REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits, and renewable energy development assistance. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html
Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement. The following is a complete list of REAP recipients announced today. Award Recipients
Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
For additional information contact:
Sharon Ellison
Rural Development
U. S. Department of Agriculture
5975 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
Phone: 317. 290. 3100 Ext. 429
Fax: 317 .290. 3127
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Contact:
Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498
186 Projects Help Farmers and Rural Businesses Become More Efficient
Des Moines, Iowa, August 17, 2010 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA Rural Development is providing $23.4 million in loans and grants for 186 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Vilsack made the announcement while visiting the Iowa State Fair.
"President Obama and I are committed to helping our nation become energy independent by helping rural businesses become more energy efficient," Vilsack said. "This funding will not only help our farmers and small businesses reduce energy costs, but also more efficient and competitive."
For example, Primus Farms, Inc. of Grundy, Iowa, has been selected to receive a $23,162 grant and a $23,162 loan. This funding will be used to replace an outdated grain dryer with a new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 54.58 percent in annual energy savings.
In Franklin, Mass., Berkshire East Ski Area has been selected for a $1.5 million guaranteed loan to assist rural small businesses in developing a renewable energy system. This project will fund a large wind energy generation system that will offset the firm's energy use and provide a portion for sale.
USDA energy efficiency programs often yield double digit energy savings. The Glen Coble & Sons, Inc., ranch in Mullen, Neb., reduced its electricity draw from the local utility by 30 percent after it received a $14,725 USDA Rural Development grant in 2008 to install five wind turbines.
REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits, and renewable energy development assistance. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html
Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement. The following is a complete list of REAP recipients announced today. Award Recipients
Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
For additional information contact:
Sharon Ellison
Rural Development
U. S. Department of Agriculture
5975 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
Phone: 317. 290. 3100 Ext. 429
Fax: 317 .290. 3127
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Duke Energy earnings heat up; regulatory momentum cools
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2010/08/09/story12.html?b=1281326400^3759041&s=industry&i=green#ixzz0wDvBlT00
Friday, August 6, 2010
With energy bills stuck in Congress, utility prepares for coming EPA regulation
Charlotte Business Journal - by John Downey Senior staff writer
Duke Energy Corp. reported better than expected earnings for the second quarter and has outperformed utility stock indexes since the start of 2009. But in the long term, this may prove the summer of Duke’s discontent.
Federal carbon regulation, which Chief Executive Jim Rogers pushed and on which Duke spent hundreds of thousands in lobbying costs, is dead. Come Jan. 2, the Environmental Protection Agency will impose limits on carbon, and Rogers acknowledges that will be more costly — to Duke and its customers — than the legislation he and Duke supported.
Duke and the industry as a whole have started running into resistance to smart-grid proposals. That digital upgrade to transmission and distribution systems holds considerable promise for energy efficiency and ultimately cutting customer use in a time of rising prices. But the costs of the conversion are giving some regulators pause.
Duke’s basic strategy for producing energy from renewable resources is being called into question in the Carolinas. And Duke continues to skirmish with regulators over treatment of payments under its Save-A-Watt initiative.
Rogers repeatedly says the power industry needs to know what the ground rules will be as it spends billions in the next 10 to 20 years to replace its aging coal plants, undertake nuclear construction, adopt renewable-energy sources and implement smart grid and other efficiency programs.
“We haven’t gotten clarity from the regulators. I don’t think we’ve got clarity from Congress,” he says. “But on some level that is predictable and it should be expected.”
Rogers describes himself as an optimist. The summer of 2010, at least, gives him a lot to be optimistic about.
Adjusted earnings of 34 cents per share reported this week for the second quarter beat analyst expectations by eight cents. While hot summer temperatures across the Southeast and Midwest played a role in that, Chief Financial Officer Lynn Good says it was led by a double-digit increase in industrial demand.
Industrial use is not yet back to pre-recession levels, she says. But when demand first jumped in the first quarter, Duke executives wondered whether that was a blip or the start of the trend. Duke’s industrial customers now say those demand levels are sustainable through 2010, Good says.
And Duke’s stock is performing well. Since January 2009, Duke’s stock has risen 20.6% to close at $17.37 a share at the beginning of this week. The Dow Jones Utility Index, by comparison, rose 4% over that period.
And last month, Duke Energy Indiana borrowed $500 million in the bond market at an unheard of rate of 3.75% for 10 years. “That’s the lowest coupon for utility companies since they started keeping records in 1962,” Rogers says.
So things are good now. But it’s hard to prepare for a future in which Rogers expects rising energy costs and constraints on carbon when rules and regulations have not caught up to the new realities.
While much of the power industry has resisted carbon regulation, Duke joined with other industrial giants and some major environmental groups to shape it. Duke wanted to minimize the impact on coal-dependent regions and utilities — and ultimately utility customers — while setting the rules replacing the existing fleet.
“We were successful beyond expectations with the Waxman-Markey bill (in the House) last year, and we were making progress with the Kerry-Lieberman bill in the Senate,” Rogers says. “We didn’t succeed (and) the failure to get across the goal line is bad news for our customers.”
That deal essentially fell apart in late April. Sen. Lindsay Graham was working on a bill with Sens. John Kerry and Joe Lieberman. But when Senate leaders announced they would push forward on immigration legislation, Graham objected and withdrew his support on energy. The bill never regained traction.
Duke won a big victory on smart grid this year by getting a $200 million federal grant to support a $900 million plan to install the system in Ohio and Indiana. Ohio regulators agreed. Indiana balked. Duke then scaled down its Indiana plan to a $22 million pilot program to install the technology for 40,000 customers.
Duke has yet to approach Carolinas regulators, who have often been less receptive than those in the Midwest on smart grid. “I view this part of the assignment as not a failure,” Rogers says. “I view it as a work in progress.”
Duke has also failed to get rulings in North Carolina that it wanted to clarify the treatment of payments for investing in efficiency under Save-A-Watt. And an issue before N.C. regulators threatens Duke’s plans to rely on wood as a biomass fuel to meet state requirements for renewable energy.
Rogers says he is not discouraged. “We’re meeting predictable, I believe, resistance to changing the model for our business and for our industry,” he says. “If people don’t understand what I’m trying to achieve, I’m failing in my explanation of it. I have more work to do.”
Read more: Duke Energy earnings heat up; regulatory momentum cools - Charlotte Business Journal
Friday, August 6, 2010
With energy bills stuck in Congress, utility prepares for coming EPA regulation
Charlotte Business Journal - by John Downey Senior staff writer
Duke Energy Corp. reported better than expected earnings for the second quarter and has outperformed utility stock indexes since the start of 2009. But in the long term, this may prove the summer of Duke’s discontent.
Federal carbon regulation, which Chief Executive Jim Rogers pushed and on which Duke spent hundreds of thousands in lobbying costs, is dead. Come Jan. 2, the Environmental Protection Agency will impose limits on carbon, and Rogers acknowledges that will be more costly — to Duke and its customers — than the legislation he and Duke supported.
Duke and the industry as a whole have started running into resistance to smart-grid proposals. That digital upgrade to transmission and distribution systems holds considerable promise for energy efficiency and ultimately cutting customer use in a time of rising prices. But the costs of the conversion are giving some regulators pause.
Duke’s basic strategy for producing energy from renewable resources is being called into question in the Carolinas. And Duke continues to skirmish with regulators over treatment of payments under its Save-A-Watt initiative.
Rogers repeatedly says the power industry needs to know what the ground rules will be as it spends billions in the next 10 to 20 years to replace its aging coal plants, undertake nuclear construction, adopt renewable-energy sources and implement smart grid and other efficiency programs.
“We haven’t gotten clarity from the regulators. I don’t think we’ve got clarity from Congress,” he says. “But on some level that is predictable and it should be expected.”
Rogers describes himself as an optimist. The summer of 2010, at least, gives him a lot to be optimistic about.
Adjusted earnings of 34 cents per share reported this week for the second quarter beat analyst expectations by eight cents. While hot summer temperatures across the Southeast and Midwest played a role in that, Chief Financial Officer Lynn Good says it was led by a double-digit increase in industrial demand.
Industrial use is not yet back to pre-recession levels, she says. But when demand first jumped in the first quarter, Duke executives wondered whether that was a blip or the start of the trend. Duke’s industrial customers now say those demand levels are sustainable through 2010, Good says.
And Duke’s stock is performing well. Since January 2009, Duke’s stock has risen 20.6% to close at $17.37 a share at the beginning of this week. The Dow Jones Utility Index, by comparison, rose 4% over that period.
And last month, Duke Energy Indiana borrowed $500 million in the bond market at an unheard of rate of 3.75% for 10 years. “That’s the lowest coupon for utility companies since they started keeping records in 1962,” Rogers says.
So things are good now. But it’s hard to prepare for a future in which Rogers expects rising energy costs and constraints on carbon when rules and regulations have not caught up to the new realities.
While much of the power industry has resisted carbon regulation, Duke joined with other industrial giants and some major environmental groups to shape it. Duke wanted to minimize the impact on coal-dependent regions and utilities — and ultimately utility customers — while setting the rules replacing the existing fleet.
“We were successful beyond expectations with the Waxman-Markey bill (in the House) last year, and we were making progress with the Kerry-Lieberman bill in the Senate,” Rogers says. “We didn’t succeed (and) the failure to get across the goal line is bad news for our customers.”
That deal essentially fell apart in late April. Sen. Lindsay Graham was working on a bill with Sens. John Kerry and Joe Lieberman. But when Senate leaders announced they would push forward on immigration legislation, Graham objected and withdrew his support on energy. The bill never regained traction.
Duke won a big victory on smart grid this year by getting a $200 million federal grant to support a $900 million plan to install the system in Ohio and Indiana. Ohio regulators agreed. Indiana balked. Duke then scaled down its Indiana plan to a $22 million pilot program to install the technology for 40,000 customers.
Duke has yet to approach Carolinas regulators, who have often been less receptive than those in the Midwest on smart grid. “I view this part of the assignment as not a failure,” Rogers says. “I view it as a work in progress.”
Duke has also failed to get rulings in North Carolina that it wanted to clarify the treatment of payments for investing in efficiency under Save-A-Watt. And an issue before N.C. regulators threatens Duke’s plans to rely on wood as a biomass fuel to meet state requirements for renewable energy.
Rogers says he is not discouraged. “We’re meeting predictable, I believe, resistance to changing the model for our business and for our industry,” he says. “If people don’t understand what I’m trying to achieve, I’m failing in my explanation of it. I have more work to do.”
Read more: Duke Energy earnings heat up; regulatory momentum cools - Charlotte Business Journal
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Million Dollar Grant furthers Renewable Energy Research in Goshen, Indiana
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gina Leichty, Director of Communications
gina@lucidenergy.com
574.312.5677
Goshen Firm Leverages Recovery Act Funds to Develop Advanced Hydropower Technology
Goshen, Ind. Lucid Energy Technologies, LLP (“Lucid”) today announced it received a $1,000,000 dollar grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy to further develop and commercialize its key product, Northwest PowerPipe™. Funds from the Department’s Small Business Innovation Research Phase II grant program enable small companies to move competitive ideas into the marketplace.
Lucid, with assistance from Northwest Pipe Company, developed a unique power generating system to produce renewable energy from large-diameter water transmission pipelines. The heart of this system is Lucid’s novel spherical turbine, designed to extract energy that is currently wasted, while minimizing its effect to the pressure and flow necessary for water delivery. Lucid’s innovation stands to generate millions of
kilowatt-hours of electricity from a previously untapped source of energy.
“The award announcement could not have come at a better time for Lucid,” said President and CEO, Tim Braun. “We’re at a critical stage in development. We need to install additional pilot projects to prove our technology to the water utility industry. The grant funds will accelerate our deployment of test sites and move us into the marketplace at a much faster pace.”
Moving water from one place to another is an extremely energy intensive and expensive operation. Water agencies spend a large portion of their budgets on electricity to move water from one place to another. By
harnessing the potential energy from excess pressure in gravity fed pipelines and turning it into electricity, Northwest PowerPipe™ can add tremendous value for a pipeline operator.
“In order for Northwest PowerPipe™ to gain full acceptance in the water utility industry, water agencies must see our systems in action,” asserts Josh Kanagy, Director of Business Development. “Our customers are extremely risk-averse, as they should be. Water agencies are charged with making sure safe drinking water is available to everyone who needs it – without disruption. Lucid has to demonstrate we have the capacity to generate electricity and keep water moving.”
Going National
While Lucid’s engineering headquarters are located in Goshen, Indiana, a majority of the company’s projects will be spread throughout the U.S. “Goshen is an ideal spot for our administrative office because of its
central location. The likelihood is that most of our project installations will be on either coast, where large-diameter transmission pipelines are located,” states Braun.
Lucid already has a pilot project in Riverside, California, and it is evaluating sites in Dallas, Texas and Chelan County, Washington. Both locations are prospective sites for use of Lucid’s research grant funds.
Lucid Energy Technologies, LLP is a clean tech firm based in Goshen, Indiana which designs and engineers hydropower technologies based on its patented vertical axis turbines.
###
Photo 2:
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gina Leichty, Director of Communications
gina@lucidenergy.com
574.312.5677
Goshen Firm Leverages Recovery Act Funds to Develop Advanced Hydropower Technology
Goshen, Ind. Lucid Energy Technologies, LLP (“Lucid”) today announced it received a $1,000,000 dollar grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy to further develop and commercialize its key product, Northwest PowerPipe™. Funds from the Department’s Small Business Innovation Research Phase II grant program enable small companies to move competitive ideas into the marketplace.
Lucid, with assistance from Northwest Pipe Company, developed a unique power generating system to produce renewable energy from large-diameter water transmission pipelines. The heart of this system is Lucid’s novel spherical turbine, designed to extract energy that is currently wasted, while minimizing its effect to the pressure and flow necessary for water delivery. Lucid’s innovation stands to generate millions of
kilowatt-hours of electricity from a previously untapped source of energy.
“The award announcement could not have come at a better time for Lucid,” said President and CEO, Tim Braun. “We’re at a critical stage in development. We need to install additional pilot projects to prove our technology to the water utility industry. The grant funds will accelerate our deployment of test sites and move us into the marketplace at a much faster pace.”
Moving water from one place to another is an extremely energy intensive and expensive operation. Water agencies spend a large portion of their budgets on electricity to move water from one place to another. By
harnessing the potential energy from excess pressure in gravity fed pipelines and turning it into electricity, Northwest PowerPipe™ can add tremendous value for a pipeline operator.
“In order for Northwest PowerPipe™ to gain full acceptance in the water utility industry, water agencies must see our systems in action,” asserts Josh Kanagy, Director of Business Development. “Our customers are extremely risk-averse, as they should be. Water agencies are charged with making sure safe drinking water is available to everyone who needs it – without disruption. Lucid has to demonstrate we have the capacity to generate electricity and keep water moving.”
Going National
While Lucid’s engineering headquarters are located in Goshen, Indiana, a majority of the company’s projects will be spread throughout the U.S. “Goshen is an ideal spot for our administrative office because of its
central location. The likelihood is that most of our project installations will be on either coast, where large-diameter transmission pipelines are located,” states Braun.
Lucid already has a pilot project in Riverside, California, and it is evaluating sites in Dallas, Texas and Chelan County, Washington. Both locations are prospective sites for use of Lucid’s research grant funds.
Lucid Energy Technologies, LLP is a clean tech firm based in Goshen, Indiana which designs and engineers hydropower technologies based on its patented vertical axis turbines.
###
Photo 1: Engineer and inventor of Lucid's spherical turbine, Rod
Schlabach, and grant-writer, Gina Leichty, celebrate the good news from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Photo 2:
Northwest PowerPipe(tm) system installation.
Lucid Energy Technologies, LLP is a member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Friday, August 6, 2010
In the Dark Ages of renewable energy
Indianapolis Star
August 5, 2010
By Brad Morton, Evansville.
At a time when other states and countries are taking bold steps toward the use and manufacturing of renewable energy, Indiana seems to be back peddling into the Dark Ages. Instead of promoting renewable energy like other states, Indiana restricts renewable energy by not allowing most customer classes to "net-meter" their energy.
Being able to net-meter means you are credited the full retail rate for the energy that your solar system or wind turbine produces. However, in Indiana most customer classes will receive only the wholesale rate for the energy they produce, meaning that the utility company will make a profit off the energy you produce even if all of that energy is used in your own building.
Only residential customers and schools of investor-owned utilities can net-meter. This leaves out all retail businesses, health-care facilities, churches, manufacturing facilities, or any customer of a Rural Electric Membership Co-Operative. Basically, you are subsidizing the utility company in this scenario.
Why in the world does Indiana want to limit the use of renewable energy? The benefits are numerous both economically and environmentally. Southern Indiana is not known for strong wind resources like those found in Northern Indiana. However, there are pockets in certain areas that have acceptable wind resources.
Southern Indiana does have excellent solar energy resources. In fact, Evansville has more solar energy then Jacksonville, Fla., from June to September, when our air conditioners are running the most. And, the power output curve from solar energy generation can be tuned to meet these air conditioner demands on a daily basis by mounting the panels to face in the southwestern direction.
As an example of successful implementation of solar energy in Southern Indiana, you can visit the Chrisney Public Library in Spencer County. The library is the first net-zero library and one of the first 10 documented zero-energy buildings in the United States. Net-zero means that the building produces as much energy or more than it consumes.
The library has received numerous awards, both nationally and regionally, including the "Partner in Progress" awarded by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
The grid-tied solar system that provides power for the building will provide power at twelve cents ($0.12) per kilowatt hour for the next 30 years. This is already cheaper then the current utility rate and I can't imagine what the utility rate will be in 30 years.
The problem with financing solar energy is that the consumer is paying for 30 years of energy up front. It is a long-term investment. To help offset this up-front cost, the state of Indiana awarded a grant through the Indiana Department of Energy that paid about 30 percent of the cost of the system, or about $24,000.
So, with such a successful project, what does the Indiana Department of Energy do with the grant program? They pull the plug on funding solar photovoltaic projects. That's right, they decided not to fund any future grid-tied photovoltaic projects.
Right now, Indiana has all of its eggs in one basket getting 96 percent of its energy from coal. Yet, the Department of Energy gave $450 million of taxpayer subsidies to the Edwardsport coal plant project.
How will this help us diversify our energy mix? How will this help the consumer struggling to pay the electricity bills? How will this create competition in a capitalistic energy market that could help keep prices down? How will this help Indiana reduce emissions? How will this help get us off foreign oil?
All electricity consumers in Indiana should have the choice to use solar or wind energy if desired, not only for their right but for the health of the economy.
It was conservative Ann Rynd who said, "Free competition is the freedom to produce, and the freedom to trade what one has produced, for one's own self-interest, i.e., in the pursuit of one's own happiness."
Electricity consumers in Indiana are currently playing against a stacked deck, and the dealer is our government. Only the government can level this playing field. You can speculate for yourself why Indiana's utility and coal companies are allowed to maintain their monopoly status.
Brad Morton lives in Evansville and is the President of Morton Solar and Wind, LLC. Morton is also a Founding Member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
August 5, 2010
By Brad Morton, Evansville.
At a time when other states and countries are taking bold steps toward the use and manufacturing of renewable energy, Indiana seems to be back peddling into the Dark Ages. Instead of promoting renewable energy like other states, Indiana restricts renewable energy by not allowing most customer classes to "net-meter" their energy.
Being able to net-meter means you are credited the full retail rate for the energy that your solar system or wind turbine produces. However, in Indiana most customer classes will receive only the wholesale rate for the energy they produce, meaning that the utility company will make a profit off the energy you produce even if all of that energy is used in your own building.
Only residential customers and schools of investor-owned utilities can net-meter. This leaves out all retail businesses, health-care facilities, churches, manufacturing facilities, or any customer of a Rural Electric Membership Co-Operative. Basically, you are subsidizing the utility company in this scenario.
Why in the world does Indiana want to limit the use of renewable energy? The benefits are numerous both economically and environmentally. Southern Indiana is not known for strong wind resources like those found in Northern Indiana. However, there are pockets in certain areas that have acceptable wind resources.
Southern Indiana does have excellent solar energy resources. In fact, Evansville has more solar energy then Jacksonville, Fla., from June to September, when our air conditioners are running the most. And, the power output curve from solar energy generation can be tuned to meet these air conditioner demands on a daily basis by mounting the panels to face in the southwestern direction.
As an example of successful implementation of solar energy in Southern Indiana, you can visit the Chrisney Public Library in Spencer County. The library is the first net-zero library and one of the first 10 documented zero-energy buildings in the United States. Net-zero means that the building produces as much energy or more than it consumes.
The library has received numerous awards, both nationally and regionally, including the "Partner in Progress" awarded by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
The grid-tied solar system that provides power for the building will provide power at twelve cents ($0.12) per kilowatt hour for the next 30 years. This is already cheaper then the current utility rate and I can't imagine what the utility rate will be in 30 years.
The problem with financing solar energy is that the consumer is paying for 30 years of energy up front. It is a long-term investment. To help offset this up-front cost, the state of Indiana awarded a grant through the Indiana Department of Energy that paid about 30 percent of the cost of the system, or about $24,000.
So, with such a successful project, what does the Indiana Department of Energy do with the grant program? They pull the plug on funding solar photovoltaic projects. That's right, they decided not to fund any future grid-tied photovoltaic projects.
Right now, Indiana has all of its eggs in one basket getting 96 percent of its energy from coal. Yet, the Department of Energy gave $450 million of taxpayer subsidies to the Edwardsport coal plant project.
How will this help us diversify our energy mix? How will this help the consumer struggling to pay the electricity bills? How will this create competition in a capitalistic energy market that could help keep prices down? How will this help Indiana reduce emissions? How will this help get us off foreign oil?
All electricity consumers in Indiana should have the choice to use solar or wind energy if desired, not only for their right but for the health of the economy.
It was conservative Ann Rynd who said, "Free competition is the freedom to produce, and the freedom to trade what one has produced, for one's own self-interest, i.e., in the pursuit of one's own happiness."
Electricity consumers in Indiana are currently playing against a stacked deck, and the dealer is our government. Only the government can level this playing field. You can speculate for yourself why Indiana's utility and coal companies are allowed to maintain their monopoly status.
Brad Morton lives in Evansville and is the President of Morton Solar and Wind, LLC. Morton is also a Founding Member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
New US DOE Study Sheds Light on U.S. Wind Power Market
August 4, 2010
Allan Chen (510) 486-4210 a_chen@lbl.gov (media contact)
Wind power additions in the United States set a new record in 2009, with 10 gigawatts of new capacity installed, representing a $21 billion investment. “At this pace, wind power is on a path to becoming a significant contributor to the U.S. power mix,” says co-author Ryan Wiser, a scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD). “Wind power projects accounted for 39 percent of all new electric generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2009, and wind energy is now able to deliver 2.5 percent of the nation’s electricity supply.”
The 2009 edition of the “Wind Technologies Market Report” provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the rapidly evolving U.S. wind power market. The need for an annual report of this type has grown as the wind power industry has entered an era of unprecedented expansion, both globally and in the United States.
At the same time, as the report documents, the past year has been one of upheaval. The global financial crisis and lower wholesale electricity prices have negatively impacted the near-term growth prospects for the wind power industry, while new federal policies are pushing the industry towards continued aggressive expansion.
“With the market evolving at such a rapid pace, keeping up with the latest developments has become increasingly difficult,” says co-author Mark Bolinger of EETD. “Yet, the need for timely, objective information on the industry and its progress has never been greater…this report seeks to fill this need.”
The report analyzes trends in wind power capacity growth, industry and manufacturing trends, turbine size, turbine prices, installed project costs, project performance, wind power prices, and how wind prices compare to the price of conventional generation. It also describes trends among developers, project owners, and wind power purchasers, and discusses financing issues. Finally, the report examines other factors impacting the domestic wind power market, including grid integration, transmission issues, and policy drivers. It concludes with a preview of possible near-term market developments.
Some of the key findings from the just-released 2009 edition include:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides solutions to the world’s most urgent scientific challenges including clean energy, climate change, human health, novel materials, and a better understanding of matter and force in the universe. It is a world leader in improving our lives and knowledge of the world around us through innovative science, advanced computing, and technology that makes a difference. Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by the University of California for the DOE Office of Science. Visit our website.
Additional Information:
The report, “2009 Wind Technologies Market Report”, can be downloaded from: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/re-pubs.html
A PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings from the report can be found at: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/emp-ppt.html
The Department of Energy’s press release is available at:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=376
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Allan Chen (510) 486-4210 a_chen@lbl.gov (media contact)
Ryan Wiser (510) 486-5474 RHWiser@lbl.gov (technical contact)
Mark Bolinger (603) 795-4937 MABolinger@lbl.gov (technical contact)
The U.S. was one of the fastest-growing wind power markets in the world in 2009, second only to China, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Energy and prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Wind power additions in the United States set a new record in 2009, with 10 gigawatts of new capacity installed, representing a $21 billion investment. “At this pace, wind power is on a path to becoming a significant contributor to the U.S. power mix,” says co-author Ryan Wiser, a scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD). “Wind power projects accounted for 39 percent of all new electric generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2009, and wind energy is now able to deliver 2.5 percent of the nation’s electricity supply.”
The 2009 edition of the “Wind Technologies Market Report” provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the rapidly evolving U.S. wind power market. The need for an annual report of this type has grown as the wind power industry has entered an era of unprecedented expansion, both globally and in the United States.
At the same time, as the report documents, the past year has been one of upheaval. The global financial crisis and lower wholesale electricity prices have negatively impacted the near-term growth prospects for the wind power industry, while new federal policies are pushing the industry towards continued aggressive expansion.
“With the market evolving at such a rapid pace, keeping up with the latest developments has become increasingly difficult,” says co-author Mark Bolinger of EETD. “Yet, the need for timely, objective information on the industry and its progress has never been greater…this report seeks to fill this need.”
The report analyzes trends in wind power capacity growth, industry and manufacturing trends, turbine size, turbine prices, installed project costs, project performance, wind power prices, and how wind prices compare to the price of conventional generation. It also describes trends among developers, project owners, and wind power purchasers, and discusses financing issues. Finally, the report examines other factors impacting the domestic wind power market, including grid integration, transmission issues, and policy drivers. It concludes with a preview of possible near-term market developments.
For the first time, the report presents estimates of the proportion of U.S. wind turbine equipment costs that have derived from imports from other countries, finding that a growing percentage of equipment is being manufactured domestically. “The overall fraction of wind turbine equipment manufactured domestically grew from 50 percent in 2008 to roughly 60 percent in 2009,” notes Wiser.
Some of the key findings from the just-released 2009 edition include:
- The U.S. is the second-fastest-growing wind market worldwide. After leading the world for the past four years, the U.S. lost its top-market status in 2009, being overtaken by China as the country with the fastest pace of new wind power additions. Nonetheless, despite earlier grim predictions due to the financial crisis, the U.S. market continued to expand in 2009 and shattered its 2008 record for new wind power additions.
- Growth is distributed across much of the U.S. Texas led the nation with 2,292 MW of new wind power capacity, but 28 states saw new wind power plants constructed within their borders in 2009. Wind power now provides more than 10 percent of in-state electricity generation in four states: Iowa (20 percent), South Dakota (13 percent), North Dakota (12 percent), and Minnesota (11 percent). Offshore wind power project and policy developments also accelerated in 2009.
- Market growth is spurring manufacturing investments in the U.S. Wind turbine manufacturers with modern wind turbines installed in the United States now hail from not just the United States, Europe, and Japan, but also from India and, for the first time in 2009, China. Seven of the 10 wind turbine manufacturers with the largest share of the U.S. market in 2009 now have one or more manufacturing facilities operating in the United States, and two of the remaining three have announced plans to open facilities in the future.
- A growing percentage of the equipment used in U.S. wind projects is domestically manufactured. Trade data show that the United States remained a large importer of wind turbine equipment in 2009, with $4.2 billion of imports, up from $2.5 billion in 2006, but down from $4.6 billion in 2007 and $5.4 billion in 2008. Wind power capacity growth has outpaced growth in imports in recent years, and a growing amount of the equipment used in wind power projects is therefore being sourced domestically as domestic and foreign companies seek to minimize transportation costs and currency risks by establishing local manufacturing capabilities.
- Wind power project costs continued to increase into 2009, but reductions may be on the horizon. Installed wind power project costs in 2009 averaged $2,120/kW, up by 9 percent over the 2008 figure. There are expectations that costs will drop in the near future as past cost pressures ease and work their way through to average installed costs.
- Wind project performance has improved over time but dropped off in 2009. The longer-term improvement in project performance has been driven in part by taller towers and larger rotors. The drop in 2009 is, in part, attributable to a relatively poor wind resource year in many parts of the country along with increasing amounts of wind power curtailment—particularly in Texas, where 17 percent of all potential wind energy generation was curtailed in 2009 because of transmission inadequacy.
- Rising wind power prices and sharply lower wholesale prices make the near-term economics of wind energy more challenging. Although some of the cost pressures facing the industry in recent years have eased, 2009 was another year of rising average wind power prices. The average 2009 sales price from projects built in 2009 was roughly $61/MWh.
- Looking ahead, expectations are for a slower year in 2010. Lower expectations stem from a combination of the financial crisis, lower wholesale electricity prices, and lower demand for renewable energy. Projections among industry analysts range from 5,500 MW to 8,000 MW of wind power capacity likely to be installed in the United States in 2010, a drop of 20 to 45 percent compared to the nearly 10,000 MW installed in 2009. After a slower 2010, most predictions show market resurgence in 2011 and 2012, as programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act mature and as financing constraints ease. Beyond 2012, however, the picture is considerably less certain, because of the scheduled expiration of a number of federal policies at the end of that year.
Berkeley Lab’s contributions to this report were funded by the Wind & Water Power Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides solutions to the world’s most urgent scientific challenges including clean energy, climate change, human health, novel materials, and a better understanding of matter and force in the universe. It is a world leader in improving our lives and knowledge of the world around us through innovative science, advanced computing, and technology that makes a difference. Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by the University of California for the DOE Office of Science. Visit our website.
Additional Information:
The report, “2009 Wind Technologies Market Report”, can be downloaded from: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/re-pubs.html
A PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings from the report can be found at: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/ems/emp-ppt.html
The Department of Energy’s press release is available at:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=376
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Wind Energy Group to Locate HQ in Muncie
Muncie, Indiana, (July 23, 2010) - The Wind Energy Manufacturing Association (WEMA), Inc. has been established to help enhance and promote the Wind Energy Industry in the United States. It was announced at the “WIndiana” trade show conference in Indianapolis that WEMA will locate its headquarters office in Muncie, Indiana.
WEMA goals are:
• JOB CREATION – Create manufacturing jobs as companies are able to locate and/or expand their wind energy manufacturing in the United States.
• UNITE – Bring those interested in manufacturing together to have a positive impact on the wind energy industry.
• EDUCATE – Provide educational opportunities to those just starting in the wind energy industry.
• NETWORK – Bring together new and existing manufacturers with OEM’s in the industry.
• JOINT VENTURES & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS – Support opportunities to bring foreign technology to the U.S. via business partnerships and technological transfers.
WEMA joins Brevini and VAT in Muncie-Delaware County and grows Delaware County and East Central Indiana ’s presence in the wind and alternative industry sectors. The office will be located at 345 South High Street in downtown Muncie.
Frank Hoffman, WEMA President and partner with the law firm of Krieg Devault, said “this opportunity to participate at the start of a high growth industry only comes once every 50 years or so, and we are very appreciative of the support from all of our partners in Delaware County”
“This is great news for our city, county and region,” said Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley. “Muncie-Delaware County continues to establish itself as a leader in wind energy in Indiana and the association’s decision to locate here is further testimony to this fact,” added McShurley.
“Alternative energy is a targeted industry sector for our county,” said Terry Murphy, Vice President, Economic Development for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. “We are excited by WEMA’s decision and look forward to building a strong partnership with them. We believe WEMA’s presence will increase the number of business opportunities we see and that will ultimately lead to new job creation in the city, county, region and state,” added Murphy.
Jay Julian, President and CEO of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce noted “the Economic Development Alliance, Chamber of Commerce, City of Muncie, Delaware County Commissioners, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University have been jointly working to bring this project to fruition for nearly a year. We look forward to WEMA growing and becoming a leading advocate for the wind energy business,” added Julian.
Further information on the association can be found at http://www.wemawind.org/ .
Source: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
WEMA goals are:
• JOB CREATION – Create manufacturing jobs as companies are able to locate and/or expand their wind energy manufacturing in the United States.
• UNITE – Bring those interested in manufacturing together to have a positive impact on the wind energy industry.
• EDUCATE – Provide educational opportunities to those just starting in the wind energy industry.
• NETWORK – Bring together new and existing manufacturers with OEM’s in the industry.
• JOINT VENTURES & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS – Support opportunities to bring foreign technology to the U.S. via business partnerships and technological transfers.
WEMA joins Brevini and VAT in Muncie-Delaware County and grows Delaware County and East Central Indiana ’s presence in the wind and alternative industry sectors. The office will be located at 345 South High Street in downtown Muncie.
Frank Hoffman, WEMA President and partner with the law firm of Krieg Devault, said “this opportunity to participate at the start of a high growth industry only comes once every 50 years or so, and we are very appreciative of the support from all of our partners in Delaware County”
“This is great news for our city, county and region,” said Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley. “Muncie-Delaware County continues to establish itself as a leader in wind energy in Indiana and the association’s decision to locate here is further testimony to this fact,” added McShurley.
“Alternative energy is a targeted industry sector for our county,” said Terry Murphy, Vice President, Economic Development for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. “We are excited by WEMA’s decision and look forward to building a strong partnership with them. We believe WEMA’s presence will increase the number of business opportunities we see and that will ultimately lead to new job creation in the city, county, region and state,” added Murphy.
Jay Julian, President and CEO of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce noted “the Economic Development Alliance, Chamber of Commerce, City of Muncie, Delaware County Commissioners, Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University have been jointly working to bring this project to fruition for nearly a year. We look forward to WEMA growing and becoming a leading advocate for the wind energy business,” added Julian.
Further information on the association can be found at http://www.wemawind.org/ .
Source: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
