http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/video/player?bcpid=6801356001&bctid=88237775001
The opening plenary session of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) conference this year in Phoenix featured Amory Lovins with the Rocky Mountain Institute. If you were unable to attend this year, you can at least taste a flavor of the conference by watching some selected video interviews conducted by Renewable Energy World during the conference.
Personally, I met Amory Lovins on October 3, 1977 when he gave a public lecture at the Ethical Society in Clayton, MO which is a suburb of St. Louis that is also my hometown. At the time, I was the Executive Director of a group called the Coalition for the Environment based in St. Louis who sponsored the Lovins presentation.
Lovins had published a 10,000-word essay "Energy Strategy: The Road Not Taken?" in Foreign Affairs, in October 1976. Therefore, I met Lovins one year after that essay was published.
My favorite quote from this essay is as follows:
"Plainly we are using premium fuels and electricity for many tasks for which their high energy quality is superfluous, wasteful and expensive, and a hard path would make this inelegant practice even more common. Where we want only to create temperature differences of tens of degrees, we should meet the need with sources whose potential is tens or hundreds of degrees, not with a flame temperature of thousands or a nuclear temperature of millions-like cutting butter with a chainsaw."
Although my path would cross many times later with Lovins, this initial exposure to Lovins had a profound impact on me and my outlook on energy policy.
Tell us when you discovered Amory Lovins.
Showing posts with label American Solar Energy Society (ASES). Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Solar Energy Society (ASES). Show all posts
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Renewable Energy in Indiana: Past, Present and Future
The 1st Annual Meeting of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association will be as follows:
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
2:00 to 6:00 pm
Library Auditorium
Marian University
3200 Coldspring Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
$15 InREA members
$25 non-members
(includes dinner buffet)
Bring a check payable to: Indiana Renewable Energy Association
The theme for our first annual meeting will be to review the past history, present status and future proposals for renewable energy development in Indiana.
We will present an overview of the activities of our association over the past year including our recent participation in the ASES National Solar Tour. Amie McCarty with Mann Plumbing in Bloomington will present an overview of these solar tours and our plans for 2010 solar tours and related activities.
We will describe the current status of renewable energy development in our state and how we compare to other states in our region and the nation as a whole.
The current status of renewable energy in Indiana will also include a panel discussion of InREA members about professional accreditation. Training and education remains a "hot topic" in this current economic climate.
Panelists include:
David Hippensteel, Riverbridge Electric, North Manchester
David Mann, Mann Plumbing, Bloomington
Mac Williams, Inverde, Fishers
Gary Washington, Solar Usage Now, Ft. Wayne
Lastly, we will conduct a discussion of our plans for the future.
A presentation by InREA member Chris Stribeck with Integrated Development Services (IDS) of Indianapolis is planned on 1) proposed changes to our current dues structure and 2) formation of a sister organization with an IRS tax status that will allow for unrestricted lobbying activities.
Earlier this year, the InREA Board of Directors decided to pursue status with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization that would be both tax exempt and tax deductible allowing both membership dues and contributions to be tax deductible. Pursuing such a tax status will also allow InREA to apply for grants from foundations as well as charitable contributions from individuals.
In response to feedback from various prospective members including electric utilities as well as current members, it was felt that it would be better for direct lobbying activitiess such as advocacy on various energy issues at the Indiana General Assembly be done through a separate organization.
Final steps are underway to complete InREA's application to the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and it is anticipated it will be filed before the end of the calendar year.
Our meeting will conclude with an informal networking session and a dinner buffet.
We hope you will make plans now to join us and to celebrate our first year as the Indiana Renewable Energy Association as the Indiana state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.
For more information visit the website of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association at www.indianarenew.org.
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
2:00 to 6:00 pm
Library Auditorium
Marian University
3200 Coldspring Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
$15 InREA members
$25 non-members
(includes dinner buffet)
Bring a check payable to: Indiana Renewable Energy Association
The theme for our first annual meeting will be to review the past history, present status and future proposals for renewable energy development in Indiana.
We will present an overview of the activities of our association over the past year including our recent participation in the ASES National Solar Tour. Amie McCarty with Mann Plumbing in Bloomington will present an overview of these solar tours and our plans for 2010 solar tours and related activities.
We will describe the current status of renewable energy development in our state and how we compare to other states in our region and the nation as a whole.
The current status of renewable energy in Indiana will also include a panel discussion of InREA members about professional accreditation. Training and education remains a "hot topic" in this current economic climate.
Panelists include:
David Hippensteel, Riverbridge Electric, North Manchester
David Mann, Mann Plumbing, Bloomington
Mac Williams, Inverde, Fishers
Gary Washington, Solar Usage Now, Ft. Wayne
Lastly, we will conduct a discussion of our plans for the future.
A presentation by InREA member Chris Stribeck with Integrated Development Services (IDS) of Indianapolis is planned on 1) proposed changes to our current dues structure and 2) formation of a sister organization with an IRS tax status that will allow for unrestricted lobbying activities.
Earlier this year, the InREA Board of Directors decided to pursue status with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization that would be both tax exempt and tax deductible allowing both membership dues and contributions to be tax deductible. Pursuing such a tax status will also allow InREA to apply for grants from foundations as well as charitable contributions from individuals.
In response to feedback from various prospective members including electric utilities as well as current members, it was felt that it would be better for direct lobbying activitiess such as advocacy on various energy issues at the Indiana General Assembly be done through a separate organization.
Final steps are underway to complete InREA's application to the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and it is anticipated it will be filed before the end of the calendar year.
Our meeting will conclude with an informal networking session and a dinner buffet.
We hope you will make plans now to join us and to celebrate our first year as the Indiana Renewable Energy Association as the Indiana state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.
For more information visit the website of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association at www.indianarenew.org.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New ASES Report Estimating the Jobs Impact of Tackling Climate Change
The American Solar Energy Society is rolling out a new report 10/30/09. It shows that tackling climate change can be a major net job creator for the U.S. economy.According to the report, aggressive deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency can net up to 4.5 million new U.S. jobs by 2030 and provide the greenhouse gas emission reductions necessary to tackle climate change.
With Congress debating energy policy in Washington D.C., this is the type of information that can really make a difference.
Renewable energy and energy efficient technologies could displace approximately 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions annually by 2030 - the amount scientists believe is necessary to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change.
The report is called, Estimating the Jobs Impact of Tackling Climate Change, and was produced by ASES and top economists at Management Information Services, Inc. based in Washington, D.C.
The report can be found at: www.ases.org/climatejobs
Here's one of the best parts. According to the analysis, renewable energy and energy efficiency deployment costs would be revenue neutral or better!
That's because the costs to implement the technologies are offset by savings from lower energy bills, making total net costs near zero.
As Brad Collins, ASES' Executive Director described it, "The twin challenges of climate change and economic stagnation can be solved by the same action-broad, aggressive, sustained deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The solution for one is the solution for the other."
This jobs report offers the most detailed analysis yet on the potential role of the new energy economy in tackling climate change.
It builds on the powerful findings of ASES' groundbreaking 2007 report Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions From Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030 edited by Chuck Kutscher.
Check out the report: www.ases.org/climatejobs
This jobs report offers the most detailed analysis yet on the potential role of the new energy economy in tackling climate change.
Report findings show that:
•Aggressive deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency can net 4.5
million new jobs by 2030. These jobs are not limited to certain regions or sectors – they are widely dispersed throughout the U.S. in virtually all industries and occupations.
•Hot jobs spurred by this new economic growth span a diverse range of skills and experience and include: electricians, plumbers, carpenters, administrative assistants, machinists, cashiers,
management analysts, civil engineers, and sheet metal workers.
•Renewable energy and energy efficient technologies could displace approximately 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions annually by 2030 – the amount scientists believe is necessary to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change.
•Approximately 57% of carbon emissions reductions would be from energy efficiency and 43% would be from renewable energy.
•Energy efficiency measures can allow U.S. carbon emissions to remain about level through 2030, while renewable technologies can provide large reductions in carbon emissions below current levels
•Industries showing the largest job gains include: construction, farming, professional services, public sector, retail, truck transportation, fabricated metals and electrical equipment.
•The construction industry directly benefits from almost all the growing renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors as well as from improvements in overall economic growth due to energy savings. Farming directly benefits from biomass and biofuel technology growth.
•Many of these jobs can not be easily outsourced due to the on-site nature required by these roles.
•The greatest numbers of renewable energy jobs are generated by solar photovoltaics, biofuels, biomass, and concentrating solar power sectors.
The report suggests that policy can play a significant role in both generating jobs and mitigating carbon emissions.
The Indiana Renewable Energy Association is the official state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. For more information visit www.indianarenew.org.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Solar Alliance Takes Positive Position on Feed-in Tariffs
...from Paul Gipe
October 20, 2009
The Solar Alliance, the US industry trade association for solar PV manufacturers and project developers, has recently posted a position paper supportive of feed-in tariffs (FITs) to their web site.
While the industry is portraying the move as a natural evolution of its position, outside observers see it as a major policy development in the US. Previously, board members were split on whether to take a position on feed-in tariffs. Some key industry players openly opposed supportive statements on the policy used so successfully in Europe to install thousands of megawatts of solar PV as well as other renewable energy technologies.
The Solar Alliance is one of several organizations promoting solar PV in the US. The Solar Energy Industries Association, which represents the broader solar industry, has yet to take a formal position on feed-in tariffs. The American Solar Energy Society, representing the professional and academic community, also has not taken a position.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association has previously endorsed the use of feed-in tariffs. (See CanSIA Calls for Dramatic Growth of Solar PV in Ontario Through Higher Tariffs.) CanSIA specifically has called for a system of feed-in tariffs to be used in Ontario to supply 10 percent of the province's electricity (~16 TWh per year) by 2025.
The Solar Alliance's position paper begins with a simple statement: "FITs are often misunderstood but can be useful policy tools".
The document goes on to reiterate the Alliance's continued support for net metering and traditional tax subsidies to reassure readers that their position on feed-in tariffs should, in no way, detract from existing programs. The policy paper says the generator should be given a choice of which program to use where feed-in tariffs and other policies are available simultaneously.
The Alliance then lays out the characteristics necessary for successful feed-in tariff policies. This is as succinct a statement of feed-in tariff best practice as found anywhere. For example, the Alliance states that contracts should be for 20 years, though they acknowledge that some states may offer shorter terms, and that tariffs should be differentiated by technology and project size. The recommendations also include provisions for developing green field sites and not just those by "site owners" or existing utility customers.
However, the position paper limits the Alliance's support for feed-in tariffs to projects only up to 20 MW. There are a number of solar PV projects larger than 20 MW currently operating in Europe and there are many wind and concentrating solar power projects greater than 20 MW as well that have been installed with feed-in tariffs.
The position paper also doesn't specifically mention that feed-in tariff best practice requires tariff setting based on the cost of generation plus a reasonable profit. The Alliance only says that the tariffs should recognize the value of Renewable Energy Credits separately from energy.
The Alliance's paper represents the first clear statement by the association that feed-in tariffs would be an acceptable policy in the US.
Download
Solar Alliance Policy Recommendation: Feed-In-Tariffs
October 20, 2009
The Solar Alliance, the US industry trade association for solar PV manufacturers and project developers, has recently posted a position paper supportive of feed-in tariffs (FITs) to their web site.
While the industry is portraying the move as a natural evolution of its position, outside observers see it as a major policy development in the US. Previously, board members were split on whether to take a position on feed-in tariffs. Some key industry players openly opposed supportive statements on the policy used so successfully in Europe to install thousands of megawatts of solar PV as well as other renewable energy technologies.
The Solar Alliance is one of several organizations promoting solar PV in the US. The Solar Energy Industries Association, which represents the broader solar industry, has yet to take a formal position on feed-in tariffs. The American Solar Energy Society, representing the professional and academic community, also has not taken a position.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association has previously endorsed the use of feed-in tariffs. (See CanSIA Calls for Dramatic Growth of Solar PV in Ontario Through Higher Tariffs.) CanSIA specifically has called for a system of feed-in tariffs to be used in Ontario to supply 10 percent of the province's electricity (~16 TWh per year) by 2025.
The Solar Alliance's position paper begins with a simple statement: "FITs are often misunderstood but can be useful policy tools".
The document goes on to reiterate the Alliance's continued support for net metering and traditional tax subsidies to reassure readers that their position on feed-in tariffs should, in no way, detract from existing programs. The policy paper says the generator should be given a choice of which program to use where feed-in tariffs and other policies are available simultaneously.
The Alliance then lays out the characteristics necessary for successful feed-in tariff policies. This is as succinct a statement of feed-in tariff best practice as found anywhere. For example, the Alliance states that contracts should be for 20 years, though they acknowledge that some states may offer shorter terms, and that tariffs should be differentiated by technology and project size. The recommendations also include provisions for developing green field sites and not just those by "site owners" or existing utility customers.
However, the position paper limits the Alliance's support for feed-in tariffs to projects only up to 20 MW. There are a number of solar PV projects larger than 20 MW currently operating in Europe and there are many wind and concentrating solar power projects greater than 20 MW as well that have been installed with feed-in tariffs.
The position paper also doesn't specifically mention that feed-in tariff best practice requires tariff setting based on the cost of generation plus a reasonable profit. The Alliance only says that the tariffs should recognize the value of Renewable Energy Credits separately from energy.
The Alliance's paper represents the first clear statement by the association that feed-in tariffs would be an acceptable policy in the US.
Download
Solar Alliance Policy Recommendation: Feed-In-Tariffs
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