Blog
Archive for February, 2012
Feb
PNNL: Toppling Raman Shift in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Company News, Complete Digest
Source: PNNL News Release, February 29, 2012.
Just as a wine glass vibrates and sometimes breaks when a diva sings the right note, carbon dioxide vibrates when light or heat serenades it. When it does, carbon dioxide exhibits a vibrational puzzle known as Fermi resonance. Now, researchers studying geologic carbon storage have learned a bit more about the nature of carbon dioxide.
The results provide clues to the nature of the Fermi resonance in other molecules and will help researchers better understand details in chemical reactions. The team of researchers from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reported their findings in the February 28 issue of the journal in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.
The full press release is here.
Feb
Itron Selected to Provide Advanced Metering Solution to Major Indonesian Water Utility
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Company News, Complete Digest
Source: Itron Press Release, February 29, 2012
Itron announced that the City of Malang’s water utility, Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum Kota Malang (PDAM), has selected the company’s commercial and industrial advanced metering infrastructure to monitor its distribution network and improve water resource management. The system is scheduled to be completed in May 2012. Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum Kota Malang (PDAM) is located in East Java, Indonesia.
Feb
Trade Mission to Korea with Governor Gregoire
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Opportunities
The Washington State Department of Commerce has announced that “…a potential state level visit may take place in April.” Governor Gregoire has been asked to visit South Korea as the leader of a trade mission during April of this year. The timing of the mission is yet to be confirmed. The mission will likely cover both in-bound and out-bound trade and clean technologies.
The Department of Commerce has asked the WCTA to recommend participants for this high-level, business focused mission. If you are interested, please contact James Palmer, Business Development Manager at the Washington State Department of Commerce. James can be reached at (206) 256-6147 or via email at James.Palmer@commerce.wa.gov.
Feb
Solar Power Prices are Plummeting
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Industry News
The Eastside Sustainable Business Alliance hosted a program on February 28 entitled “The Business Case for Solar” which featured Linda Irvine of Northwest SEED and Stanley Florek of Tangerine Power. The speakers emphasized the impact that solar can have in Washington State.
The cost of solar photovoltaic panels have dropped by seventeen percent in 2011, continuing a significant reduction in costs. In 2007, according to Linda Irvine, solar costs averaged a total of $8.00 per watt installed. By 2010, those costs had diminished to $6.30 with a further 17% drop in 2011.
Total solar capacity in Washington state is still a modest 12 megawatts, but grew by 50% in 2011. This has been due to a number of factors including price. Efforts to streamline regulations, subsidies, financing programs, and neighborhood campaigns have also had an impact. There are now over 2,000 installations in the state. Over 1,00o are affiliated with WCTA Member Puget Sound Energy. The goal of the Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative is to double the installations.
Stanley Florek of Tangerine Power argued that solar makes sense from the standpoint of a hedge against the cost variations in other energy sources. In addition, he argued that declining prices will continue to improved the ROI potential. He made the case that long-term costs would continue to decline, although he predicted that there may be some short-term increases as the result of trade dispute issues. He said that solar can achieve an 8% annual return on investment over ten years and that it has a 5-6 year simple payback. The total cost of solar can drop by as much as fifty percent of the cost after year one with several incentive programs:
- State production incentives can decrease the costs by $0.15-0.54 per kwh
- Federal credits can drop costs by 30%
- Accelerated depreciation on solar can reduce costs by another 20%
- In Washington, the sales tax rebate can be taken at a full 100% of sales taxes on units that deliver less than 10 kw. Over 10kw systems have a 75% reduction. Mr. Florek indicated that these rebates are starting to phase out.
The optimal size of a solar array in western Washington, according to Mr. Florek, is 10-30 Kw which costs $50,000 to $200,000.
In response to a question, the speakers noted that maintenance costs of solar PV systems can be expected to be minimal. They noted that many manufacturers offer a 25 year warranty.
You can find Linda Irvine’s presentation here. You can find Stanley Florek’s presentation here.
Feb
King County Adopts Strategic Action Plan
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Industry News
Source: The following was communicated from King County Councilman Larry Phillips, February 28, 2012.
The King County Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2012-0049, adopting a strategic approach to addressing climate change in King County. The ordinance calls on the County Executive to create a Strategic Climate Action Plan by the end of June, 2012 that is consistent with the King County Strategic Plan, which is the organizing framework for the County’s operations and measurement of our government’s performance.
King County currently has multiple progressive policies and programs that help reduce emissions and address the impact of climate change. The purpose of today’s ordinance is to measure the effectiveness of those programs in meeting their specific individual goals, and provide information on whether those programs are helping the County achieve its overall goals. The 2012 plan will focus on county operations and areas of direct influence such as transit and land use. The Action Plan will be updated in 2015, at which time it will be expanded to include ways the county can influence community-level emissions and mitigating impacts.
The climate crisis is an urgent environmental, economic, and public health issue that King County must continue to address. Creating the Strategic Climate Action Plan will allow us to strategically target our resources where they will be most effective in combating climate change, and preparing for its impacts.
Feb
Xconomy Profiles Flux Drive and New CEO
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Company News, Complete Digest
Source: Curt Woodward, Xconomy, February 28, 2012.
John Keenan, a former shipping-industry executive, was recently hired as Flux Drive’s new CEO. He brings sales, marketing, fundraising, and management skills to the fledgling company. “Let’s get this garage band out on the road,” Keenan says with a smile.
Xconomy’s Curt Woodward spent time at the company and wrote a profile, which can be found here.
Feb
US Dept of Commerce Smart Grid Trade Mission to the UK
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Opportunities
Why the UK? Why Smart Grids? Why Now?
The U.S.-UK investment relationship is the largest in the world, valued at over $925 billion and creating over two million jobs, about one million in each country.
The UK is the entry market into the European Union for over 40,000 U.S. exporters. Annual U.S. exports to the UK are valued at more than $100 billion.
The UK is the foremost market in the rapidly developing smart grid sector in Europe. Early entry into the UK smart grid sector could serve as a platform for U.S. companies into other European countries.
The UK government and the private sector are backing smart grid technologies with significant investments and incentive schemes:
- More than $300 billion will be invested in the UK over the next ten years to replace older power plants and upgrade the grid.
- The UK smart grid market is expected to grow from $380 million in 2010 to $4.5 billion in 2015.
- $18 billion will be invested in the UK mass roll-out of smart meters, expected to begin in 2014.
- Private sector utilities are expected to invest more than $65 billion in the upgrade and expansion of the UK’s transmission and distribution networks.
Increase your Export Potential by Identifying Profitable Opportunities in the UK Smart Grid and Electricity Market
The Mission will:
- Help U.S. companies obtain market information, establish business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and/or advance specific projects
- Include group meetings with government officials and industry leaders, including utilities, distribution network operators and technology providers; seminars and briefings on the UK market; site visits; and networking opportunities and receptions.
Date: October 15 -17, 2012
Venue: London
Cost*:
- $1,200 for small and medium firms (fewer than 500 employees)
- $2,350 for large firms
- $600 for each extra representative
* Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant
For More Information:
http://export.gov/unitedkingdom/events/featuredevents/eg_gb_045700.asp
Claudia Colombo
U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy, London
Tel. +44-207-894-0443
Feb
Global Cleantech Cluster Association Launches 2012 Later Stage Awards at 8th Annual Australasia Cleantech Forum
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Industry News
On February 27, 2012 at the 8th Australasia Cleantech Forum, the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) opened nominations for its 2012 Later Stage Awards. At the same event, the GCCA officially welcomed Australia Cleantech as a cluster member. The annual awards recognize the world’s most innovative and fast-growing green technology companies. Nominated companies from the GCCA’s over 35-member clusters, will be judged by a panel of over 30 cleantech investors who collectively manage $3.5 billion in cleantech capital. This year’s new categories of Sustainable IT and Tidal/Hydropower highlight these maturing sectors.
“The cleantech sector continues to grow, despite economic fluctuations,” said Shawn Lesser co-founder of the GCCA .“ With the Later Stage Awards, we are spotlighting creative and ground-breaking technology solutions that are at the same time viable, socially relevant, and revenue-generating.”
With the addition of 13 new cleantech clusters to GCCA membership since 2011, the 2012 Later Stage Awards are slated to be more diverse and competitive. GCCA member clusters have until April 30, 2012 to submit their nominations. Once named, companies nominated must contribute their own information by June 30, 2012 to be considered for the award. The 2012 Later Stage Award winners will be announced in Savannah, GA on November 13, 2012.
“We’re committed to making local cleantech global,” said Ben Taube, Executive Chairman of the GCCA. “Companies who are already members of their regional cleantech clusters, or who become members, can be nominated for the awards. Though this system, the GCCA supports the life-blood of cluster organizations, such as membership and company involvement.”
Each GCCA member cluster may nominate up to 10 companies in a variety of categories. The 2012 Later Stage Award categories include:
- Biofuels
- Energy Storage
- Lighting/Energy Efficiency
- Solar Energy
- Smart Grid/Sustainable IT
- Tidal/Hydropower
- Transportation
- Waste Management
- Water Treatment
- Wind Energy
“The introduction of the new categories allows us to account for a greater variety of clean technologies growing in the marketplace today,” said Later Stage Awards Head Judge Dr. Peter Adriaens of the University of Michigan. “These are areas are in the new trajectories of cleantech investment and it’s important for us to spotlight our member companies who are excelling in those fields.”
For more information on the nomination process, click here.
Feb
Army Issues Draft RFP for $7 Billion Alternative Energy Project
Posted by Tom Ranken | 2 Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Industry News
Source: Bob Brewin, NextGov, February, 24, 2012.
Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment)
The Army issued a draft request for proposals today to purchase over a 30-year period $7 billion worth of power generated from alternative energy sources including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. The draft is issued to solicit comments that will be incorporated into a final RFP later in the year.
Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment) announced plans for the project last year to support the service’s goal of having installations produce more energy than they consume.
Hammack said last year that the Army would support their development by leasing land on installations, and the draft RFP backs this up with language that says the service endorses “the procurement of large scale renewable energy generated on or near Army land.”
You can find the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force page here. The press release can be found here.
Feb
Snohomish PUD Customers Save Energy with Community Power! Program
Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Company News, Complete Digest
Source: SnoPUD Press Release, February 24, 2012.
More than 5,500 homes and 170 businesses are saving energy after working with Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) the last two years on a broad range of energy efficiency projects under the utility’s Community Power! program. Customers collectively have saved more than 5.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to serve nearly 450 homes – or about $450,000 in total annual savings. Community Power! received considerable support from grassroots efforts in the communities it served.
“This community-driven program has allowed us to build on our successful energy efficiency partnerships with local governments, trade allies and community leaders,” said PUD General Manager Steve Klein. “It helps our customers save on energy costs, raises awareness of conservation and provides additional jobs in the region.”
Community Power!, a two-year initiative, resulted in more than 27,000 workforce hours in Snohomish County communities. It was a partnership between the PUD, the City of Everett, Snohomish County and the Washington State University Energy Extension. It was funded in part through federal stimulus grants under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act to serve single family homes, multi-family complexes and small businesses.
In reaching out to homeowners, program staff engaged directly with community groups and volunteers – at neighborhood association meetings, block watches and other events – to provide conservation resources, such as free home energy assessments, compact fluorescent lights, smart power strips and other measures.
One promotion employed peer-to-peer marketing to engage more homeowners by empowering them to “team up and save.” The promotion was set up to allow five or more Snohomish County households to team up – with family, friends and neighbors – to receive free energy assessments for each home. Hundreds of customers signed on to the popular program.
“In addition to working with single-family homeowners, the program targeted energy savings in hard-to-reach market segments, specifically multi-family buildings and small businesses with rented or leased space,” said Program Manager Nicole Moreland. “Our trade ally partners were instrumental in reaching out to these customers, explaining project benefits and delivering the savings.”
For small businesses, the program provided highly attractive incentives to install efficient lighting. All types of businesses participated, from minimarts to fitness centers to bridal shops.
Bargreen Ellingson, a participating food service supply business, worked with the PUD to install energy efficient lighting throughout its store. With program incentives, the project will pay for itself in just months and save the business nearly $2,000 annually in lighting expenses.
Community Power! piloted new and improved service delivery models that will now be incorporated into other utility programs. One example is the direct install program for multi-family units, in which efficient lighting, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators were installed at no cost. The program proved valuable for tenants, property owners and the PUD; it has been added to the utility’s standard program offerings.
As a result of the success of Community Power!, the PUD is now developing an ongoing initiative to partner with local governments and community organizations to achieve mutual goals through energy conservation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: SNOPUD MEDIA RELATIONS 425-783-8444
