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EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 27, 2002
A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN).
<http://www.eren.doe.gov/>
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Featuring:
*News and Events
Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project
DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative
San Francisco Launches Solar Initiative with 675-kW System
BP Drops Thin-Film Products to Focus on Crystalline Silicon
Casinos Help Bring Six Zero Energy Homes to New Jersey
Geothermal Power Plant in Northern California Gains Approval
New York Provides $250,000 for Energy Efficiency at Brewery
*Site News
Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy
*Energy Facts and Tips
U.S. Solar and Wind Industries Grow as Hydropower Drops
*About this Newsletter
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NEWS AND EVENTS
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Energy Companies Promise $225 Million for Research Project
Four large energy companies announced last week their plan to
contribute up to $225 million over the next ten years to support a
new energy research project managed by Stanford University. The new
Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) will develop innovative
technologies to meet the world's growing energy needs while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. The GCEP is expecting to receive support
from the ExxonMobil Corporation, the General Electric Company (GE),
Schlumberger Limited, and E.ON, a European energy supplier. Stanford
University expects to perform much of the research, but will also
join with renowned institutions around the world to work with the
sponsoring companies.
The GCEP will identify the most promising technologies for low-
emissions, high-efficiency energy supplies; identify the global
barriers to deploying those technologies; conduct research into
overcoming those barriers; identify potential solutions to the
barriers; and share and publicize its results to a wide audience.
With regard to energy efficiency and renewable energy, the GCEP's
research agenda definitely includes renewable energy technologies,
hydrogen, advanced transportation systems, and power storage and
transmission technologies. However, the agenda also includes
advanced nuclear power technologies, advanced uses of coal, and
carbon sequestration. See the GCEP Web site (particularly the news
release) at: <http://gcep.stanford.edu/>.
As noted in the ExxonMobil press release, "The announcement of the
project comes as some scientists have begun calling for a research
effort as ambitious as the Apollo project to address both energy
needs and emission reductions." See the November 20th press release
from ExxonMobil, as well as the press releases from GE and
Schlumberger, at: <http://www2.exxonmobil.com/corporate/>,
<http://www.ge.com/stories/en/10877.html>, and
<http://www.slb.com/press/newsroom/index.cfm?prid=13901>.
DOE Gauges Interest in Climate Change Technology Initiative
DOE announced last week its intent to launch its own initiative to
address climate change, and is seeking ideas and statements of
interest from those who may wish to participate. Under the National
Climate Change Technology Initiative, DOE is considering funding
research that could yield reductions or avoidance of greenhouse gas
emissions; greenhouse gas capture and sequestration; capture and
conversion of greenhouse gases to some beneficial use; or enhanced
monitoring and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, inventories,
and fluxes. For now, DOE is just seeking outlines of ideas,
concepts, technologies, or technical approaches that could meet the
President's climate change goals, but if the initiative is pursued,
it will involve a competitive solicitation involving the award of
tens of millions of dollars over multiple years. See the DOE
press release at:
<http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02245.htm>.
According to a letter sent in early September to President Bush by
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Secretary of Commerce Donald
Evans, the high-priority items now being pursued by the initiative
include hydrogen-based energy systems, biofuels, low-speed wind
turbines, zero energy buildings, carbon sequestration, forest
management, and agricultural land management. In a separate effort,
the agencies are also aggressively pursing improvements in the
Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases program. See the letter on
the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Web site at:
<http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/climateletter.htm>.
As explained in that letter, the National Climate Change Technology
Initiative is one tine of a three-pronged U.S. strategy to address
climate change, the other two tines being the Climate Change
Research Initiative and increased international cooperation on
climate change and clean energy technologies. One result of that
strategy is a new draft strategic plan for the U.S. Climate Change
Science Program, which combines the new Climate Change Research
Initiative with the ongoing activities of the U.S. Global Change
Research Program. Along with continued inquiries into the science of
climate change, the program aims to develop decision support tools
that include detailed analyses of projected environmental, economic,
and energy system outcomes of various scenarios for the future. The
program is accepting public comments on the strategic plan until
January 13th and is holding a public workshop in Washington, D.C.,
in early December. See the draft strategic plan at:
<http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/stratplan2003/default.htm>.
San Francisco Launches Solar Initiative with 675-kW System
The City of San Francisco awarded the first contract under its
voter-approved solar bond initiative last week. PowerLight
Corporation will install a 675-kilowatt solar power system on the
roof of the city's Moscone Center, a convention center, to generate
about 825 megawatt-hours of electricity each year. In addition,
energy efficiency improvements will save about 4,500 megawatt-hours
of electricity annually.
A year ago, San Francisco voters approved Proposition B, which
authorized the city to issue up to $100 million in revenue bonds to
finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in city- and
county-owned buildings. Voters also approved Proposition H, which
enables the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to issue revenue
bonds to support renewable energy and energy efficiency developments
in city, commercial, and residential buildings. See the November 7,
2001, edition of EREN Network News at:
<http://www.eren.doe.gov/news/archives/2001/nov07_01.html>.
Last week's announcement benefited from some celebrity appeal:
Singer Bonnie Raitt joined Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. and
representatives of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
(SFPUC) on the podium. See the November 22nd press release on the
SFPUC Web site at: <http://sfwater.org/main.cfm/MC_ID/4/MSC_ID/9>.
Anyone wishing to add solar power to a building might want to visit
the redesigned "Photovoltaics for Buildings" Web site, provided by
DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The new, beefier site
provides information on using solar power in homes and commercial
buildings and provides examples through its "feature projects." See
the revised Web site at: <http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/pv/>.
BP Drops Thin-Film Products to Focus on Crystalline Silicon
BP Solar announced last week that it is halting production of its
thin-film solar products in favor of its more traditional solar cell
technologies based on crystalline silicon. BP Solar will stop thin-
film manufacturing at the company's Fairfield, California, facility
and convert it into a warehouse, distribution center, and the base
for the company's West Coast sales and marketing efforts. The
company will also close its Toana, Virginia, manufacturing plant if
a buyer cannot be found by the end of this year, and an associated
technology center will close immediately.
If both plants close, 260 workers will lose their jobs.
BP Solar cited a lack of demand and unfavorable economics as its
reasons for retreating from thin-film technologies, although the
company expects to continue growing its sales at 30 percent per year
through expansion of its crystalline silicon market. Crystalline
silicon currently represents more than 85 percent of BP Solar's
global production capacity for solar products. To grow its business,
the company plans to launch a new sales and marketing initiative in
California in January 2003. See the BP Solar press release at:
<http://www.bpsolar.com/DisplayNews.cfm?id=50>.
Ironically, BP was one of four organizations honored with the 2002
Awards for Solar Business Achievement in mid-November. The Solar
Electric Power Association (SEPA) bestowed the honor on BP Solar in
part because it "continues to seek out innovative uses for
photovoltaics," including the use of its thin-film solar panels on
many of its service stations. SEPA also presented awards to
Commonwealth Edison, the City of Palo Alto Utilities, and the
partnership between Tucson Electric Power and the City of Tucson.
See the SEPA press release at:
<http://www.solarelectricpower.org/press_room/sepa_press_releases.cfm>
Casinos Help Bring Six Zero Energy Homes to New Jersey
Six energy-efficient, solar-powered homes are about to be built in
Atlantic City, New Jersey, thanks primarily to gambling revenues.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority announced on Monday
that six homes in the Millennia Square neighborhood, developed by
the authority, will "approach a zero net utility cost to
homeowners." The authority was established by the state in 1984 to
funnel a portion of gambling revenues into projects that revitalize
Atlantic City and other parts of the state.
The six Cape Cod-style homes will each have two baths and three to
four bedrooms. The project is being supported in part by the DOE
State Energy Program's "Zero Energy Home" grant program and the New
Jersey Clean Energy Program. Construction will begin by year-end.
See the press release from the Casino Reinvestment Development
Authority at: <http://www.njcrda.com/news_milennia.html>.
Energy-saving building technologies are gaining favor in the
construction industry. One sign of this growing acceptance are the
"Best Practice" Sustainability Awards, presented by the Sustainable
Buildings Industry Council (SBIC). This year's awards, announced
last week, went to the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition; Sun Plans,
Inc., which markets designs for passive solar houses; Rural
Advancement Foundation International - USA, which built an energy-
efficient office building for its headquarters; and the Center for
Energy Research/Education/Service at Ball State University in
Indiana, which offers interdisciplinary education in energy and
resource use, alternatives, and conservation. See the SBIC press
release, in PDF format only, at:
<http://www.sbicouncil.org/about/BP_Award_Winners_2002.pdf>.
Geothermal Power Plant in Northern California Gains Approval
The U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service gave
their approval yesterday for the development of a 48-megawatt
geothermal power plant in Siskiyou County, California, near the
state's northern border. Calpine Corporation will develop the plant,
to be located at Telephone Flat, near Medicine Lake in the Modoc
National Forest. To connect the plant to the power transmission
system, Calpine will also build a 13-mile transmission line. The
route for that line was modified to avoid an area of the Medicine
Lake Highlands designated as a Traditional Cultural District and
considered sacred to local Indian tribes. See the Department of
Interior press release at: <http://www.doi.gov/news/021126a.htm>.
Proposed development of the site dates back to 1997, when CalEnergy
Corporation submitted an application, which was ultimately rejected
in May 2000. Calpine later acquired CalEnergy, which had filed a
lawsuit to continue the project. In April 2002, Calpine and the
U.S. government agreed to stay the litigation and reassess the
decision, which led to final approval of the project. See the Record
of Decision, in PDF format only, on the California Bureau of Land
Management Web site at:
<http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/pdfs/medlake/TelephoneFlatROD_1.pdf>.
Geothermal development in the Medicine Lake area continues to be
controversial with local Indian tribes. In late September, the
International Indian Treaty Council adopted a resolution that
opposed geothermal development in the area. See the resolution at:
<http://www.treatycouncil.org/new_page_571111121.htm>.
DOE and the Interior Department are trying to increase production of
renewable energy on federal lands in support of the President's
National Energy Policy. Working in an interagency task force that
included the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Defense
Department, the two agencies produced a report in August that
recommends updated geothermal resource mapping, promotion of
increased geothermal energy production, and an expedited review of
geothermal lease applications. DOE also committed to updating its
Wind Energy Resource Atlas, and the Interior Department plans to
establish a biomass production initiative. The Bush Administration
is also considering an Executive Order to increase renewable energy
production on federal lands. See the "White House Report in Response
to the National Energy Policy Recommendations to Increase Renewable
Energy Production on Federal Lands," a 3.8 MB document available in
PDF format only, on the Interior Department Web site at:
<http://www.doi.gov/news/pdf/FinalWhiteHouseReportwithAppendicies.pdf>
New York Provides $250,000 for Energy Efficiency at Brewery
The Anheuser-Busch brewery in Baldwinsville, New York, will install
new heat recovery equipment that should save the company more than
$550,000 each year in energy costs, thanks to state incentives. The
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
is providing a $250,000 cash incentive to the brewery in support of
its $1 million project. The project will use an innovative
configuration and underutilized heat recovery technology to recover
25 percent more waste energy from the brewery's four boilers than is
currently recovered. The new equipment should be installed by fall
2003. Located just outside of Syracuse, the brewery produces about
8 million barrels of beer each year. See the NYSERDA press release
at: <http://www.nyserda.org/press/2002/nov19_02.html>.
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SITE NEWS
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Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy
<http://www.unr.edu/geothermal/index.html>
The Great Basin Center at the University of Nevada conducts research
and development in geothermal energy. Its Web site provides
information on current projects and its center resources.
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ENERGY FACTS AND TIPS
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U.S. Solar and Wind Industries Grow as Hydropower Drops
The U.S. solar and wind energy industry had banner years in 2001,
but you wouldn't know it by looking at the numbers for overall
renewable energy use. According to DOE's Energy Information
Administration (EIA), a 23 percent drop in production from
hydropower caused the total U.S. consumption of renewable energy to
drop by about 12 percent, providing only about 6 percent of the
country's energy needs. Surprisingly, consumption of most other
renewable energy sources also declined, and only wind power managed
to show a 3.5 percent increase. Total renewable energy generating
capacity grew by about 2 percent -- 1,803 megawatts -- thanks
largely to new wind generation capacity.
But despite those largely discouraging figures, the U.S. solar
energy industry was booming. Shipments of solar thermal collectors
-- mainly for residential pool heating -- increased 34 percent over
shipments in 2000. Domestic shipments of photovoltaic systems shot
up 80 percent, while exports declined about 10 percent, yielding an
overall 11 percent growth in the industry. Shipments of thin-film
solar modules showed the greatest increase, totaling 13 peak
megawatts of capacity, compared to less than 4 peak megawatts
shipped in previous years.
One discouraging note for the U.S. industry: shipments of geothermal
heat pumps dropped by 15 percent, to less than 36,000 units. See the
EIA press release, which links to the full report, at:
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/press/press202.html>.
While the U.S. solar energy industry is doing well, the worldwide
solar power industry also appears to be booming, according to a
report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) back in
August. The report shows a 35 percent increase in installed
photovoltaic capacity throughout the world in 2001, falling just
short of 1000 megawatts of peak capacity. Annual production of solar
modules increased more than six-fold since 1993, to a production
total of 319 megawatts of peak capacity in 2001. Contrary to recent
reports from some companies, the IEA report concludes that solar
power capacity remains at only 60 percent of the market capacity.
See the IEA report, available as a 5-MB file in PDF format only, at:
<http://www.oja-services.nl/iea-pvps/products/download/rep1_11.pdf>.
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
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