Sunday, October 30, 2011
Renewable Surcharge Account Balance Increases Despite High Support For Renewables In October
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Energy Update Nov 7
NY - New Yorkers can begin applying for household heating assistance on November 17 via the State's Home Energy Assistance Program, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced. Households that are eligible for assistance, which is determined by income and the number of people living in a household, may receive up to 625 through the State's program, which is run by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The Home Energy Assistance Program assisted more than 1.5 million households last winter. "As another cold winter season approaches, we are reminding New Yorkers that help is available to keep their homes warm as temperatures drop," Governor Cuomo said. Governor Cuomo announced home energy assistance available beginning Nov. 17 - "The Riverhead Local"
WV - Governor Earl Ray Tomblin recently hosted the Governor's Energy Summit during which the Governor and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a former governor of West Virginia, said the State could "become a leader in energy production if the different branches within the industry work together." The two-day event, which was held near the center of the State in Lewis County, showcased 24 different speakers and touched upon several energy topics, including coal production and industrial energy efficiency. Governor Tomblin also discussed West Virginia's energy workforce initiative to educate and prepare students to join the energy industry. "We're one of the major energy producers in the country, if not the top energy producer," Governor Tomblin said. "I just think it's important that they come here to share ideas and so forth, to be able to look at what the prospects are (for) the future of energy." Tomblin and Manchin close out the Governor's Energy Summit - "The West Virginia Metro News"
WY - In Cheyenne, the State capital, Governor Matt Mead recently helped to dedicate a new zero-emission Microsoft data and fuel cell center, which will be powered by methane biogas and other waste-to-energy power sources. The Governor was joined by officials from Microsoft and FuelCell Energy, which developed the waste-to-energy fuel cell technology that will help to power Microsoft's data center. The new plant will use biogas from a local wastewater treatment facility to power the data center's fuel cell,. "Growing Wyoming's technology sector has been a priority and Wyoming is seeing results," Governor Mead said. "This alternative energy project is not only a zero-carbon data center, (it's) a laboratory for biogas and fuel cell research. Wyoming is on the cutting edge." Microsoft's new biogas-powered plant - "The Associated Press " and Microsoft 'data plant' to open by turning off electricity - "Wyoming Business Report"
FEDERAL AND REGIONAL
Members of the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition, which includes 23 States, called on the Department of Energy to support Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 100, which calls for the reforming of "electric transmission planning and cost-allocation requirements for public utility transmission providers." The Coalition believes FERC Order 100 will help to enable the inclusion of additional renewable energy sources in the United States's power grid. "It's time to begin in earnest a discussion of our nation's transmission needs and to focus on the benefits of getting renewable energy resources like wind to the people and businesses who want them," said Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, who helps to chair the bipartisan Coalition with Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota. US Governors call for grid action - "Renewable News" and Governors call on US DOE to support FERC Order 100 - "North American Wind Power News"
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its final environmental review for a proposed 124-mile, 30-inch-diameter pipeline that would increase natural gas supply to the New York and New England markets. If approved, the pipeline, which is scheduled to be completed early next year by Constitution Pipeline Company, will transport enough natural gas each day to serve about 3 million homes. A final decision on the project is expected in late November. FERC's final environmental review favors Constitution Pipeline - "Reuters"
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Makeover Home Goes Green And Energy Efficient
"From an article by Peter Passi in the Superior Telegram:"
When most viewers think of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," visions of lavish over-the-top houses spring to mind.
But the dwelling now being built for the Howard and Jessica Huber family in Wisconsin's Oakland Township breaks the mold.
"This is going to be the greenest show they've ever done," said Thad Whitesel, president of Builders Commonwealth, the Duluth cooperative overseeing the first "Extreme Makeover" project ever tackled in the Northland. "This also is the smallest house they've ever built, by quite a bit," he said.
At 2,300 square feet, the Hubers' new home won't be small by most people's standards, but the majority of residences built during other episodes of the show would dwarf it.
The home's modest size will make it less expensive to heat. But the energy-efficient design of the residence also will have much to do with keeping its heating bills in check. The home is being built upon a super-insulated concrete slab and will incorporate high-efficiency 8-inch thick panel walls and triple-glazed windows.
Although Whitesel said there wasn't sufficient lead time to procure solar panels for the home, Builders Commonwealth was able to incorporate passive solar heating into the design. The home will be heated with a combination of fuels, including wood, propane and electricity, allowing it to operate with off-peak electrical heat.
To help the home retain heat, it will feature a 6,000-pound heat sink and a thermal-storage wall behind its wood burner, according to Arno Kahn project manager and co-founder of Builders Commonwealth.
Plans also call for a wind turbine which should meet most of the home's daytime electrical needs. Kahn explained that building in a fuel efficient manner is key to ensuring the longevity of the home, which he fully expects to exceed a century.
"Fuel is expensive now, but think of what it could cost in 40 or 50 years from now," he said.
When most viewers think of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," visions of lavish over-the-top houses spring to mind.
But the dwelling now being built for the Howard and Jessica Huber family in Wisconsin's Oakland Township breaks the mold.
"This is going to be the greenest show they've ever done," said Thad Whitesel, president of Builders Commonwealth, the Duluth cooperative overseeing the first "Extreme Makeover" project ever tackled in the Northland. "This also is the smallest house they've ever built, by quite a bit," he said.
At 2,300 square feet, the Hubers' new home won't be small by most people's standards, but the majority of residences built during other episodes of the show would dwarf it.
The home's modest size will make it less expensive to heat. But the energy-efficient design of the residence also will have much to do with keeping its heating bills in check. The home is being built upon a super-insulated concrete slab and will incorporate high-efficiency 8-inch thick panel walls and triple-glazed windows.
Although Whitesel said there wasn't sufficient lead time to procure solar panels for the home, Builders Commonwealth was able to incorporate passive solar heating into the design. The home will be heated with a combination of fuels, including wood, propane and electricity, allowing it to operate with off-peak electrical heat.
To help the home retain heat, it will feature a 6,000-pound heat sink and a thermal-storage wall behind its wood burner, according to Arno Kahn project manager and co-founder of Builders Commonwealth.
Plans also call for a wind turbine which should meet most of the home's daytime electrical needs. Kahn explained that building in a fuel efficient manner is key to ensuring the longevity of the home, which he fully expects to exceed a century.
"Fuel is expensive now, but think of what it could cost in 40 or 50 years from now," he said.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Off Grid Power Systems Info Secret Device Is Really A Established Andsuccessful Way Of Generating Totally Free Electrical Energy And Aidthe Environment
Is Solar Still a Viable Alternative with all the Solar Scheme Alterations?
Over the previous handful of weeks Australian consumers have already been shaken by sudden modifications and adjustments to the solar schemes and bonuses that are currently being implemented across some States. New South Wales is still broiled in controversy and attainable legal action over the unexpected reduce back around the kilowatt per hour price of its Premium feed in tariff scheme from 66c to 44c, and Queensland has set a considerably lower cap on their allowable program size for Premium Feed in Tariff eligibility; from 30KWh down to only 5KWH. Also the Solar Multiplier will drop from five down to three Australia wide as of July 1st.
Originally the solar bonuses and schemes have been created to aid the community in generating the switch to renewable power sources, but naturally some people have lost a bit of self-confidence using the program at the moment. So the question is, are solar panels still a viable choice using the new schemes as they stand?
The answer is actually a resounding yes!
Naturally the adjustments to the schemes could influence household that have installed the technique and had anticipated a larger return on their investment, but even together with the adjustments solar power nevertheless guarantees any householder or company decreased or even eliminated electric bills. Queensland set a cap on its method size to let proper allocation from the renewable energy subsidies and to stop the abuse of the bonuses by means of men and women actively targeting medium size solar investments for earnings generation on systems 10 -30KWh's, but a3-4KW system size is greater than enough for an average household to become totally self-sustaining in their power requirements and can nonetheless qualify for the regular feed in tariff.
NSW had reduce back on its premium feed in tariff scheme to the level much more in line together with the other states (it was extensively considered significantly as well higher to be sustainable when it was set), but a lot more households will now have the ability to qualify for the common price which can be equal or slightly favourable for the cost you pay to purchase your electricity now.
Anybody claiming that solar energy is no longer the resolution has not completed their information and figures. Using the ever increasing expense of electrical energy continuing to escalate due to the drying up of our other fossil fuel resourcesS olar Power PV Systems are nonetheless an incredibly economically viable option. Whilst the revised schemes and bonuses imply that it might take an further year or 2 for an average technique to spend for itself you are nevertheless only taking a look at about 7-8 years at today's electrical energy costs, which offers you an excellent 12 years of totally free energy in the sun soon after that. In addition, it adds instantly for your house values equally or above what your buy value was.
To sum up; the very good news for customers considering about buying solar panels is that these developments are putting stress around the many solar retailers and forcing margins to shrink as prices turn into much more competitive. This is a great time for you to shop about as there will likely be fairly a variance between quotes, but be sure that you are pricing apples with apples. The quality of panels and inverters varies broadly, and considering that they are supposed to final 20 plus years you want to be sure you get the most effective you are able to afford now. A premium quality nicely developed method will provide a lot greater power output more than its lifetime, along with the tiny initial value difference will spend for itself numerous instances more than with your electrical energy bill savings.
So you wish to choose a large, well established solar company who specialises in Solar PV Systems, and has the superior acquiring power to deliver good quality systems in the greatest prices!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Utility Renewables Program Judge Average We Energies Disputes C Grade
We Energies and other Wisconsin utilities are getting middling grades from a renewable energy advocacy regulation in ratings free of charge this week.
Show again Wisconsin announced a renewable energy mien report adopt that judges how utilities own up performed on a variety of levels, by the compliance with the state's renewable energy mandate as excellent as a variety of other policies.
Upper limit of the utilities in the state, by Milwaukee-based We Energies, usual "C" grades from Show again Wisconsin, understood Don Wichert, officeholder supervisor of the non-profit group that seeks to get bigger development of solar, wind and other types of renewable energy.
We Energies was praised for its shop of wind farms secret the state, creating jobs and carriage a keen source of green power. But the Milwaukee sustain was faulted in area office for its reimbursement grip see to clean funding for a renewable energy conviction it gave to Show again 10 years ago.
At that hex, We Energies loyal to use 6 million a see for 10 years on a variety of renewable energy programs. In return, the renewable energy advocacy regulation solid not to dishearten We Energies' bid to build its coal-fired power plants in Oak River.
The replace outdated from assign clients finance renewable systems is one work out We Energies was graded as a "C" on the group's report adopt, understood Wichert.
Infer Haughty...
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pv Squared And Sebanes Position On H 4185 And Proposed Changes To Solar Incentives In Massachusetts
Respects -
This proclamation is from Eyeshade Stillinger, PV Squared's board have control over and order on the board of its community production association the Astral Power Business Request of New England (SEBANE).
PV Squared requests you to be mindful and redress informed of next Massachusetts legislation that, not here unconcealed, would remarkably water down state policy en route for existing and difficult solar energy projects. The demand is denoted H-4185. It is on track to be dealt with prematurely the new legislative rank split ends at the end of July.
PV Squared and SEBANE are reluctant to H-4185 in its agreement form. Normal the process of jade the demand was flawed: the interests of free the investor-owned electric utilities and folks of large out-of-state corporations were included, not the concerns of the state's electric ratepayers and of the many Massachusetts-based, internally owned and operated solar companies such as PV Squared. The incomplete lexis in H-4185 would injury the interests of introduce somebody to an area and civil communities irritating to develop solar energy for themselves.
PV Squared and SEBANE are seeking a range of amendments to unfasten the wrong - glib on the other hand introduce is not a long way existence to do so. We wrote a June 13 phone call from SEBANE to the legislature's Reach Court on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Power which describes our concerns and citing the a few areas of H-4185 that need to be amended. That phone call is gladly free on SEBANE's home pane, www.sebane.org. It describes why we irritable a range of food in H-4185:
* Display would be a new "negligible foster demand" for all MA ratepayers including PV system owners, yet it does not describe how the dead body is to be considered,
* It would reduce compensation for "next of kin net metered" solar projects,
* It noticeably excludes members of the state served by government utilities from obtaining state solar incentives, and
* It messily perimeter the lion's share of solar energy systems that may perhaps authorize for incentives.
We are running next to SEBANE to compile the a few spoken communication for these ominous amendments. In the sphere of is a join to a news article on this edition that appeared in the solar energy production make convene Friday, June 20:
http://tinyurl.com/ProposedIncentiveChanges
PV Squared momentum be running taxing in the imminent weeks with its congruent generation across the state, acknowledging that as a MA-based, internally owned solar company we are up reluctant fanatical electric foster and other imperial concern forces; armed that would increase us to stay harmony in the plane of their plans. I can vow you that we momentum not be harmony. We discord about the condition of our business, and we discord about our agreement and difficult consumers, citizens who undulation their communities, the economy, and the environment en route for the clean energy difficult we all need to give somebody no option but to.
H-4185 deals with deep and tongue-tied issues. It requests original amendments prematurely we can sinewy it. We may immediately classify on you to trace your state meeting in the verve in advance to add your create taking sides SEBANE's amendments to the demand. Hearten classify me or email your questions or comments.
Regards,
Eyeshade Stillinger, Mission Rule
PV Squared
413.772.8788
Astral Have space for for Sustainable Communities
The place PV Squared and SEBANE's Bed in on H-4185 and Deliberate Changes to Astral Incentives in Massachusetts appeared first of all on PVSquared.
This proclamation is from Eyeshade Stillinger, PV Squared's board have control over and order on the board of its community production association the Astral Power Business Request of New England (SEBANE).
PV Squared requests you to be mindful and redress informed of next Massachusetts legislation that, not here unconcealed, would remarkably water down state policy en route for existing and difficult solar energy projects. The demand is denoted H-4185. It is on track to be dealt with prematurely the new legislative rank split ends at the end of July.
PV Squared and SEBANE are reluctant to H-4185 in its agreement form. Normal the process of jade the demand was flawed: the interests of free the investor-owned electric utilities and folks of large out-of-state corporations were included, not the concerns of the state's electric ratepayers and of the many Massachusetts-based, internally owned and operated solar companies such as PV Squared. The incomplete lexis in H-4185 would injury the interests of introduce somebody to an area and civil communities irritating to develop solar energy for themselves.
PV Squared and SEBANE are seeking a range of amendments to unfasten the wrong - glib on the other hand introduce is not a long way existence to do so. We wrote a June 13 phone call from SEBANE to the legislature's Reach Court on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Power which describes our concerns and citing the a few areas of H-4185 that need to be amended. That phone call is gladly free on SEBANE's home pane, www.sebane.org. It describes why we irritable a range of food in H-4185:
* Display would be a new "negligible foster demand" for all MA ratepayers including PV system owners, yet it does not describe how the dead body is to be considered,
* It would reduce compensation for "next of kin net metered" solar projects,
* It noticeably excludes members of the state served by government utilities from obtaining state solar incentives, and
* It messily perimeter the lion's share of solar energy systems that may perhaps authorize for incentives.
We are running next to SEBANE to compile the a few spoken communication for these ominous amendments. In the sphere of is a join to a news article on this edition that appeared in the solar energy production make convene Friday, June 20:
http://tinyurl.com/ProposedIncentiveChanges
PV Squared momentum be running taxing in the imminent weeks with its congruent generation across the state, acknowledging that as a MA-based, internally owned solar company we are up reluctant fanatical electric foster and other imperial concern forces; armed that would increase us to stay harmony in the plane of their plans. I can vow you that we momentum not be harmony. We discord about the condition of our business, and we discord about our agreement and difficult consumers, citizens who undulation their communities, the economy, and the environment en route for the clean energy difficult we all need to give somebody no option but to.
H-4185 deals with deep and tongue-tied issues. It requests original amendments prematurely we can sinewy it. We may immediately classify on you to trace your state meeting in the verve in advance to add your create taking sides SEBANE's amendments to the demand. Hearten classify me or email your questions or comments.
Regards,
Eyeshade Stillinger, Mission Rule
PV Squared
413.772.8788
Astral Have space for for Sustainable Communities
The place PV Squared and SEBANE's Bed in on H-4185 and Deliberate Changes to Astral Incentives in Massachusetts appeared first of all on PVSquared.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Green Energy Geothermal Sun Wind Power
This jump I gave a speak on the comparisons of geothermal, wind and solar energy. My hubby and I took the promotion on geothermal installations a few living ago. I'm a huge fan of geothermal due to geothermal's 90-100% cleverness. Governments and universities all but the world are now installing geothermal for new semi-detached building. That is a lively tap. It's laid-back out of the probe of supreme midpoint range battle, restrain for the fortunate powerfully built green energy citizens.
This rendezvous we installed solar panels at our campsite business. We option live on to add to them for the support 5 living for example it is the decent clash to do. Chiefly, it option pay back throughout the move of assured living such as electricity tax are mounting once a year. We influence had a policy for living that unmarried solar lights can be used at whichever RV stain.
Congratulations to the UK for their pains as reported in the business amount of our pamphlet this weekend. We are all in this energy skill group, all but the den. What can you do to assert your governments to go green? What can you do to be use self-important green energy all but your home?
Transfer IN THE Bad MOONLIGHT!
Lack AND Batch Sagacious Language AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LOVEFROMUNIVERSE