Posts Tagged ‘wind energy’

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Nov

15th

Study Says Energy Policy=1.9M Jobs


From GreenBeat:  The Obama administration’s progressive support for renewable energy will result in about 1.9 million green collar jobs, according to a new report published by three U.S. universities. It will also elevate the average household income by more than $1,000 and America’s GDP by $111 billion by 2020.       

This sets Obama on track to create 5 million green (not just renewable energy) jobs over the next decade. Granted, he made this promise early in his campaign, all the way back in the spring of 2008. At that point he planned to spend $150 billion total to stimulate the green economy.

The estimates in the report depend on several conditions that could be a bit of a stretch — namely that all U.S. utilities will be able to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020 and that a carbon emissions cap and trade system becomes a reality. It also anticipates that billions of dollars will be invested in cleantech research and development.

Considering that most utilities aren’t approaching 20 percent renewables in their energy mix, and the climate bill that would establish cap and trade has stalled in the Senate, this may be a little far-fetched.

But if these criteria are fulfilled, all 50 states will have an opportunity benefit economically from the green stimulus packages being given out one industry at a time — so far solar, Smart Grid, biomass, wind and advanced batteries have each received up to billions of dollars, mostly through the U.S. Department of Energy.

The study was produced by the University of California, in tandem with Yale University and the University of Illinois.

Another study, presented earlier this week by Booz Allen Hamilton at Greenbuild 2009, predicted that the green building industry alone will generate or support 7.9 million jobs and infuse the U.S. GDP by $554 billion in just the next four years.

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Oct

27th

AISD #1 Green Powered Schools Says EPA


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership has ranked the Austin Independent School District No. 1 in its list of the top 20 Green Powered Schools.

Round Rock Independent School District was a close second on the list.

The EPA looked at primary and secondary schools nationwide that use the most power from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and low-impact hydropower.

The EPA said that together these top schools are buying nearly 113 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually, equivalent to carbon dioxide emissions from generating electricity for 11,000 American homes for one year.

“Our green-powered schools are giving kids a brighter future in more ways than one. They’re leading the way in protecting our health and environment, and moving the country into the clean energy economy of the 21st century,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “This is a great lesson on how we reduce harmful pollution in our skies and get America running on clean energy.”

The top five schools using the greenest power are:

• 1 — Austin Independent School District

• 2 — Round Rock Independent School District

• 3 — Rochester City School District, Rochester, N.Y.

• 4 — Bullis School, Potomac, Md.

• 5 — The Dalton School, New York, N.Y.

Info from Austin Business Journal.  Thanks, ABJ!

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Oct

22nd

First Solar First Renewable on S&P 500


First Solar, a thin film solar panel manufacturers, has achieved a first for any pure-play renewable energy company: inclusion on the venerable Standard & Poor’s Index of 500 commonly traded stocks.

Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar was added to the S&P 500 after the market closed October 15. The company will be part of the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Electrical Components & Equipment Sub-Industry of the Industrials sector.

The addition of First Solar, which had $1.2 billion in sales last year, is a milestone not only for the company, but for renewable energy in general. Although non-hydroelectric renewables, including solar, wind and biomass, make up a minute fraction of overall energy generation worldwide, that percentage is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades.

Source: Triple Pundit

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Oct

2nd

TX Now Has World’s Largest Wind Farm!


Today, E.ON Climate and Renewables (EC&R) announced the completion of the world’s largest wind farm near Roscoe, Texas. The Roscoe wind complex has an installed capacity of 781.5 megawatts (MW), generating enough electricity to power more than 230,000 homes.

“Completing the world’s biggest wind farm took more than a billion dollar investment, coordination with more than 300 landowners and management of more than 500 workers,” North American CEO of EC&R Steve Trenholm stated. “Today is a great day for our company and the team that made this a reality.”

The project area spans parts of four Texas counties and the Roscoe wind complex covers nearly 100,000 acres, several times the size of Manhattan. The wind farm has a total of 627 wind turbines manufactured by Mitsubishi, General Electric and Siemens.

“Texas continues to lead the nation in the development of renewable energy and has more wind generation capacity than any other state and all but four countries,” Texas Governor Rick Perry said. “We are pleased that E. ON Climate & Renewables North America has chosen to open this facility in Roscoe that will further expand our state’s diverse energy portfolio.”

Read full article here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eon-climate–renewables-completes-worlds-largest-wind-farm-63064012.html

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Jul

17th

$22 Million For Community Renewable Energy Deployment


The Department of Energy (DOE) says it plans to provide up to $22 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to support the planning and installation of utility-scale community renewable energy projects in up to four communities nationwide.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will provide technical assistance to selected recipients, including concepts, best practices, planning, financial approaches, policy guidance and recognition to help communities rapidly plan and deploy utility-scale renewable energy systems.

The projects will demonstrate how multiple renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal systems, can be deployed at scale to supply clean energy to communities.

The DOE anticipates that each project will leverage significant investment, including public- and private-sector investment in renewable energy systems.

Up to $22 million in DOE funding is available for these awards in fiscal year 2010. The DOE anticipates making up to four awards totaling up to $21.45 million, and expects matching funds from public and private investment of $22 million or more.

Successful applicants will be awarded financial assistance to support the implementation of an integrated renewable energy deployment plan for a community, and the construction of renewable energy systems.

Completed applications are due Sept. 3. The DOE will select the award-winners by the end of November.

For more information, visit recovery.gov.

SOURCE: Department of Energy via North American Windpower

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Jul

1st

Energy Saving Products Can Earn U.S. Tax Credits


Making your home more energy efficient qualifies you for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of what you spend and may no longer be limited as it was last year. Solar water heating, solar electric, geothermal heat and wind turbines are just some of the alternative fuel sources that qualify – even if installed on summer homes or rentals. There is no cap.

There are also credits available for energy-saving home improvements. The old 10 percent credit has now been boosted to 30 percent for 2009 and 2010 up to a maximum of $1,500 in the two-year period. Home improvements that qualify include skylights, windows, doors, biomass stoves and high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. The credit must be for the taxpayer’s principal residence and you must show all the appropriate documentation.

Installation costs are covered in regards to solar panels, wind energy, water heaters and biomass stoves but are not covered with windows, doors, roofs or insulation.

Credits are also available to individuals who purchase energy efficient vehicles. These tax credits are based on the weight of the car and fuel economy compared with base-year models. For hybrid vehicles for personal use, fill out IRS Form 8910 and for business purposes use form 3800. Check with your tax adviser to see if you qualify for any of these credits.    By Barry Armstrong (Money Matters)

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Jul

1st

Proposed Renewable Energy 401k Tax Credit


will help create 500,000 green collar jobs and double annual increase of renewable energy production within three years.

An unusual alliance of business, trade association and environmental groups are calling on President Barack Obama, Congress and the Senate to implement a tax credit incentive for companies that add a renewable energy fund to employee 401(k) plans. The new legislation could be added to the near completed economic stimulus bill or follow quickly after.

According to the Renewable Energy Task Force of the South Denver Chamber of Commerce, the Renewable Energy 401(k) Tax Credit will be a high yield federal investment.

  • Government cost of $7 to $8 billion dollars will generate $60 to $100 billion investment in renewable energy.
  • Allow 50 million Americans to invest a projected 5% of their 401(k) plans to clean energy production.
  • Create 500,000 or m ore clean energy jobs over three years.
  • Create an annual increase of 20,000 MW of new wind, solar and geothermal electrical generation by 2012.
  • Help renewable energy meet 100% of new national electricity demand in three years.

“Last year almost half of all new US electricity was generated from renewable energy,” says Jim Welch, CEO of Bella Energy, a Colorado based solar energy firm, “The Renewable Energy 401(k) Tax Credit will rapidly allow all new US electricity to be generated from renewable sources.”

American Wind Association data released last week indicates that more than 8,000 MW of new wind production was built in 2008 with investment in the wind energy sector passing the $17 billion mark. Totaling 42% of all new US generation capacity added in 2008, the newly added wind farms produce enough electricity for 2 million homes. These numbers are up from wind providing 30% of all new US electrical generation in 2007.

The additional annual $20 to $30 billion of new investment generated by the Renewable Energy 401(k) Tax Credit will help to more than double the number of new clean energy megawatts installed each year. With swift passage of the proposed tax credit bill, by 2012 one hundred percent of new US electrical demand can be provided by renewable energy. This is consistent with President Obama’s target to double renewable energy production over the next three years.

“In 2007, investment in the American renewable energy sector, including both wind and solar, was $19 billion dollars with employment of 116,000 people. More than 50,000 new renewable jobs were created in 2008 – that’s an impressive annual growth rate of 45%,” continues Jim Welch, “Congress and the Senate need to support the Renewable Energy 401(k) Tax Credit which will create $100 billion in clean energy investment and 500,000 new green jobs over the next three years.”

Reflecting the national trend, Colorado’s renewable energy sector has been experiencing rapid-fire employment growth. In 2008, AVA Solar added 550 new manufacturing and engineering jobs in Ft. Collins and Longmont. The new AVA manufacturing plant produces thin film solar panels at 30% of the cost of existing solar technology. Vestas built a new wind turbine manufacturing facility near Denver that employs 1,350 Coloradoans and uses 200,000 tons of steel annually to produce enough wind turbines to power more than half a million homes per year. Nationally, wind turbine and turbine component manufacturers announced, added or expanded 55 new facilities in 2008.

As renewable energy production rises faster than demand for electricity, surplus clean generation capacity will be used to retire aging conventional power plants over a 10 to 30 year period leading to significant reductions in climate change causing emissions.

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