Energy to Sell - States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Edited by Jodi Summers

Scroll down for a nifty map and chart from the U.S. Department of Energy showing states with renewable portfolio standards - a state policy that requires electricity providers to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy resources by a certain date.

California is stellar with the objective of 33% renewable energy by 2030, but not nearly as aggressive as Maine, which is shooting for 40% renewable by 2017.

Currently there are 24 states plus the District of Columbia that have RPS policies in place. Together these states account for more than half of the electricity sales in the United States. Five other states, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont, have nonbinding goals for adoption of renewable energy instead of an RPS.

The chart below gives a rough summary of state renewable portfolio standards and links to organizations that are administering these standards or explain the details involved. Percentages refer to a portion of electricity sales and megawatts (MW) to absolute capacity requirements. Most of these standards phase in over years, and the date refers to when the full requirement takes effect.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/maps/renewable_portfolio_states.cfm?prin

YALE PICKS THE TEN MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COUNTRIES

ALE PICKS THE TEN MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COUNTRIES

Edited by Jodi Summers

Every year, Yale University releases an Environmental Performance Index (EPI), calculating national environmental factors such as a country’s environmental health, air pollution, water resources and productive natural resources. So let us present to you the most recent top 10 winning countries who can boast the title of the most eco-friendly nations in the world.

1 - Switzerland

Switzerland’s hard-line legislation on pollution makes it one of the world’s most eco-friendly nations. Switzerland’s strategy is to continue to foster cooperation between organizations and individuals. To make sure everyone is acutely aware of how precious the environment can be, Switzerland charges for their water and waste management services as well as establishing severe environmental taxes. Prevention is the third key tenet, shown by the 2006 development of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), to sustain natural resources and develop safety measures for natural hazards.

2 - Norway

Overcast Norway is the home of the world’s largest solar production plant, owned by REC Group. Norway has also taken emissions seriously, and is now planning on becoming carbon neutral by 2030, not 2050 as originally expected. The change in anticipated timing has been reduced because of what Norway has learned by funding green projects abroad and reducing at-home driving and flying.

3 - Sweden

Sweden’s mandate for a country free of fossil fuels by 2020 puts it as the third most eco-friendly country on the planet. Already, a majority of Sweden’s power is either nuclear or hydroelectric. Solutions for automobile and flight transport include ethanol and animal waste conversion. Additionally, Sweden is one of the world leaders working on harnessing the power of waves. At the University of Uppsala, Sweden is developing “wave power” which converts waves into 4x as much energy as solar power in the same amount of time, with no waste and no emissions.

4 - Finland

Finland is experiencing a remarkable recovery from industrialization, using initiatives to clean up water and air quality in industrial areas, and practicing land preservation. Bravo as Finland has managed to reverse deforestation. The country’s forests are now growing at a greater rate than they are being deforested, showing an environmental gain even with the annual timber harvest. Finland can also be attributed with starting the United Nation’s Environmental Program (UNEP) Task Force for Sustainable Building and Construction, which looks not only at the sustainability of the building, but of the resources and process used to construct it.

5 - Costa Rica

With 5% of the world’s biodiversity contained in one country, Costa Rica has always been on the forefront of environmental conservation. Did you know that a full quarter of the nation is devoted to park preservation? That helps the country score high on the EPI list. Couple their conservation efforts with the fact that Costa Rica uses hydroelectric power in 80% of the country, and add on their 5% gas tax which funds environmental programs, and Costa Rica comes in fifth.

6 - Austria

It’s very impressive that Austria’s environmental conservation measures are enforced by all levels of government, from federal to municipal authorities. For example, waste disposal is a highly regulated department encompassing everything from individual waste to corporate chemical, air and agricultural pesticide pollution. Water quality and forest preservation, are extremely high on Austria’s list of priorities, thus the quality level for Austria’s lakes and rivers is among the highest in the world. The development of Austria’s National Protective Forest Plan has also helped in keeping the nation’s natural beauty pristine.

7 - New Zealand

New Zealand‘s relatively small population in relation to land mass has helped preserve this nation’s natural resources. While automotive emissions and industrial pollutants are still problematic, New Zealand is working hard to develop restrictive legislation and alternative energy sources. The nation was host to the 2008 World Environment Day, and has developed the Environmental Risk Management Authority, which regulates the introduction of non-native species and environmental components so as not to threaten New Zealand’s pristine atmosphere.

8 - Latvia

The Baltics weigh in. By monitoring and reducing water pollution, Latvia’s salmon crop and freshwater bodies are all in the range of “good.” Taken steps toward improvement, Lativia has begun dismantling pollutive farms to reduce fertilizer and insecticide chemicals and allow room for the return of natural forests. Since obtaining freedom from the Soviet Union 1990, Lativa has decreased stationary pollution by 46% and wastewater by 44%, devoting a major portion of environmental funds to water treatment and energy conservation techniques.

9 - Colombia

Beating Costa Rica, Colombia is home to 10% of the world’s species, giving the country a wealth of ecological diversity. While Colombia has had problems in the past concerning deforestation, the detrimental effects of the coca trade, and political strife involving their natural oil deposits, these factors have served to motivate Colombia towards energy conservation and new, less politically tumultuous resources. Colombia has also begun programs for the cultivation of natural parks that support the growth of native medicinal plants with preserves such as the Orito Igni-Ande Medicinal Flora Sanctuary, a 10,626 hectare preserve.

10 - France

The French government is very aware of the problem of climate change. Their strict environmental protection measures are incorporated into the national Constitution and reviewed every year with the eventual goal of 54 million tons of saved C02 by 2010. France is one of the few in the Kyoto agreement to cut such a large amount of emissions so quickly. The country’s laws are comprehensive, covering every layer of production from supplier to producer to consumer. This has helped make France the number one producer of renewable energy sources in the EU, 78% of its energy being nuclear powered, which in turn has reduced nitrogen oxide and other hazardous emissions by 70%.

**

Sources:

http://epi.yale.edu/Home

http://epi.yale.edu/CountryScores

http://www.bemoreeco.com/2009/03/top-10-eco-friendly-countries/

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/International/europe/Sweden.jpg

http://greenferret.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/switzerland-mountain-lake.jpg

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/tag/norway

http://www.ippnw-students.org/Chapters/Finland/finland.jpg

http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-in-costa-rica-long-term/images/costa-rica-ocean-view.jpg

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0510/photos/Jpegs/NewZealand.jpg

http://www.austria-trips.com/images/Austria-Mountains.jpg

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/riga/jpgs/jurmala_latvia_hoskins_m06.jpg

http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/61720/335583/p/f/1781.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2qncqxi.jpg

http://www.bargesinfrance.com/premier-burgundy-countryside.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2352156385_c389b09b15_b.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/pj48/image/45644972/original.jpg

THE CITY OF L.A. WANTS TO GREEN INDUSTRY

By Jodi Summers

 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced in Los Angeles’ State of the City Address that the city intends to grow the clean and green city concept …is it merely election time promises or can L.A. be the leader in Clean Technology?

“…We are aggressively growing the industries of the future here in LA.. We need to build a future in which clean technology is - as - synonymous with Los Angeles as motion pictures or aerospace. Where LA is acknowledged as a growing capital of the green economy.

“With our Solar LA plan, we’re working to cut our carbon footprint and to transform LA into a clean energy powerhouse. With the nation’s most far-reaching green building ordinance, we believe we can create America’s most vibrant jobsite in sustainable construction. And at the Port of Los Angeles, I’m proud to say tonight that we’ve sent 2,000 dirty diesel trucks to the junkyard and replaced them with vehicles that run on natural gas and electricity.

“I believe L.A.’s economic future starts right here, in places like Balqon, where the next generation of electric trucks are being designed, tested, and manufactured; where we are literally revving up the engines of our Clean Truck Program; where the wheels of a clean, green port are turning; and a new high-tech venture is producing clean fuel vehicles IN L.A., for the betterment of LA.

“This facility will serve as the model for our Harbor Clean Tech Center; for investments in the latest vessels for green development; for the San Pedro Bay Port Technology Development Center - home of green companies serving our port.

“A few miles up the 110, we are building a literal “Clean-Tech Corridor.” A business corridor bringing together researchers, designers and manufacturers from around the world dedicated to sustainable solutions and to creating green-collar jobs.

“Located just outside of downtown, this corridor will house our Clean Tech Manufacturing Center a catalyst for smart growth that could create as many as 1,000 high-paying jobs.

“It will host our Clean Innovations Research Center where the world’s leading experts will come together to define future renewable energy sources, water conservation strategies, and green building advances.”

http://mayor.lacity.org/pressroom/stateofthecity/index.htm

FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE BUILDINGS NET ZERO BY 2025

FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE BUILDINGS NET ZERO BY 2025

By Jodi Summers

The DOE has taken a number of steps to encourage energy efficiency in the design of new buildings. EnergyPlus is an energy modeling tool, which is augmented by OpenStudio, a plug-in for the Google SketchUp 3-D drawing program that allows SketchUp to work seamlessly with the EnergyPlus program.

Both are available on the EnergyPlus page of DOE’s Building Technologies Program Web site.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/

That site also features a selection of benchmark models for 16 types of building in 16 locations to help designers understand the energy use of similar new buildings- http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/commercial_initiative/new_construction.html

EnergyPlus models heating, cooling, lighting, ventilating, and other energy flows as well as water in buildings. EnergyPlus includes many innovative simulation capabilities such as time steps of less than an hour, modular systems and plant integrated with heat balance-based zone simulation, multizone air flow, thermal comfort, water use, natural ventilation, and photovoltaic systems.

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ROOFING SYSTEMS CAN HELP HOMEOWNERS GET TO ZERO ENERGY CONSUMPTION

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ROOFING SYSTEMS CAN HELP HOMEOWNERS GET TO ZERO ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Kudos to the solar roof kit introduced by Luma Resources – it was chosen the best new product at this year’s the International Roofing Expo, in Las Vegas. This winning kit uses photovoltaic technology, and consists of 60 solar shingles and a converter along with the wiring and flashing for full installation.

Luma Resources is a sister company of Allen Brothers Roofing, in Rochester Hills, Mich. The product was bought to market by Gary + Robert Allen, one of two brothers who co-own Allen Brothers Roofing.

Robert shared these thoughts on the Luma solar roof kit:

What is the demand for a solar roofing kit?

Robert Allen: In Orlando, the local government just voted not to build a coal-fired power plant. That means Orlando-area homeowners will be using renewable energy, like solar, rather than fossil fuels. Long term, there’ll be more and more demand as states and municipalities, then homeowners, turn to renewables.

How does a homeowner get ahold of a solar roofing kit?

Robert Allen: Typically, we want to set up a relationship with a roofer. The roofer or roofing company would have to qualify. I have to know that this guy is going to take the product and install it the right way.

Why will this solar product be successful now?

Robert Allen: In the ’70s, solar roof panels were regarded as ugly and inefficient; it wasn’t good enough. Now, with all the improvements, it’s quickly becoming a product that can hold its own. It has to be driven by demand….that’s what we’ll see happen as electricity rates continue to go up and consumers realize that solar power does pay for itself in a short period of time - and they have a secure source of energy for the home.

Will your system supply all the power that a home needs?

Robert Allen: What you are trying to do is to provide the homeowner with enough power to get as close to zero consumption as possible. The question is how many years does it take to repay the investment in buying and installing the system. It’s like any other investment. In this case, you’re investing in a system that allows you to save the money you’d otherwise be spending on electricity off the grid.

How much does your product cost and how long does it take to install?

Robert Allen: Let’s assume a house of, say, 2,400 square feet. Our 2 kilowatt system could be installed by a two-man crew in a day, with another half-day for the electrician. We timed it. The labor cost would be $1,500 and the total installed cost of the job, to the homeowner, would be $13,000.

http://replacementcontractor.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=743122