These come from a NCSU Solicitations Newsletter
-Editor
The RFPs created or supplemented as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) are identified in the RFP titles.
The Recovery homepage (http://www.recovery.gov/) has links to State-level Recovery sites where you may be able to track down some sub-grantee opportunities. Washington State’s Recovery site does an outstanding job showing where WA Recovery funds are going and who to contact for more info. Here’s a link to all of the State sites: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-recovery-page.
1) Renewables and Energy Efficiency Improvements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements. This program will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. $51.6 million expected to be available, up to 1,100 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/31/09. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12178.pdf. Refer to Sol# RDBCP-09-REAP-RES-EEI. (Grants.gov 5/29/09)
2) Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Renewable Energy Feasibility Grants. This program will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems. $6 million expected to be available, up to 150 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/31/09. For more info, including state specific contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=47628&mode=VIEW. Refer to Sol# RDBCP-09-REAP-FEASIBILITY. (Grants.gov 5/29/09)
3) High Penetration Solar Deployment – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for High Penetration Solar Deployment. The objectives of this RFP are to: 1) Develop the needed modeling tools and database of experience with high penetration scenarios of PV on a distribution system, 2) Develop monitoring, control and integration systems to enable cost-effective widespread deployment of small modular PV systems, and 3) Demonstrate the integration of PV and energy storage into Smart Grid applications. $17.5 million expected to be available, up to 13 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/30/09. For more info, contact Andrea Lucero at Andrea.Lucero@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47579. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000085. (Grants.gov 5/27/09)
4) Solar Market Transformation - Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Solar Market Transformation. The overall goal of this initiative is to increase the quality and availability of instruction relating to the installation of PV and solar heating and cooling systems (SHC). Areas of interest include: 1) Addressing workforce development needs of the solar industry, both for grid-tied PV systems in residential, commercial, and utility markets, and for SHC systems. 2) For Solar America Cities (designated via DOE RFPs in FY07 and FY08) to scale-up innovative programs and concepts so they can be tested in a broader marketplace, and increase likelihood of replication in other U.S. cities. $20 million expected to be available, up to 31 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/30/09. For more info, contact Nancy Kiyota at nancy.kiyota@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47586. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000078. (Grants.gov 5/27/09)
5) Smart Grid Interoperability Standards and Harmonization Effort
The U. S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology announces its intent to request proposals for Support of Smart Grid Interoperability Standards and Harmonization Effort. Work will support NIST in coordinating the development and harmonization of standards to enable widespread deployment of an interoperable and secure Smart Grid (SG). As part of this requirement, the Contractor will be required to engage all relevant SG stakeholders to ensure credible results. The RFP will be posted on or about 6/20/09. For more info, contact Joseph Widdup at joseph.widdup@nist.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=5b6e4ec676429e89839caded727c4848&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# SB1341-09-RP-0070. (FBO 6/5/09)
6) Wind Energy Consortia – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Wind Energy Consortia between Institutions of Higher Learning and Industry. Areas of intrest include 1) Partnerships for Wind Research and Turbine Reliability, and 2) Wind Energy Research Development. $24 million expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/29/09. For more info, contact Sara Wilson at sara.wilson@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47732. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000090. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
7) Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Consortia
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative Supporting Consortium. The intent of this initiative is to establish a Supporting Consortium (SC) representing commercial building design, equipment, operation, finance, and other groups. The main goal of the SC is to collect information on current and next generation technologies for individual components and systems to provide a knowledge base of information to industry in supporting DOE’s goal of establishing net-zero energy performance for all U.S. commercial buildings by 2050. $1 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Richard Rogus at rogus@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47706. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000105. (Grants.gov 6/1/09)
8)Ground Source Heat Pumps – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Geothermal Technologies Program: Ground Source Heat Pumps. Through this RFP, DOE seeks to increase the deployment of ground source heat pumps through new commercialization strategies that incorporate: 1) Innovative commercial-scale or residential community technology demonstration projects; 2) Data gathering and analysis related to system costs, performance, and installation techniques; and 3) A national GHP certification standard. $50 million expected to be available, up to 21 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/6/09. For more info, contact Genevieve Wozniak at genevieve.wozniak@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47731. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000116. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
9) Geothermal Technologies - Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Geothermal Technologies Program for geothermal systems research, exploration, demonstration, and development. Areas of interest include: 1) Validation of Innovative Exploration Technologies, 2) Geothermal Energy Production from Low Temperature Resources, Co-produced Fluids from Oil and Gas Wells, and Geopressured Resources, and 3) Geothermal Data Development, Collection, and Maintenance. $170 million expected to be available, up to 60 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/22/09. For more info, contact Genevieve Wozniak at genevieve.wozniak@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47584. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000109. (Grants.gov 5/27/09)
10) Geothermal - CA
The Naval Air Warfare Center announces its intent to request proposal for geothermal investigations at China Lake, CA. The RFP will be issued on or about 6/22/09, responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact Sue Casey at sue.casey@navy or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=63f04b8b682a086a0c1592e216fe2a53&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# N6893609R0076. (FBO 6/7/09)
11) Energy Efficient ICT – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Energy Efficient Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Through this RFP, DOE seeks the development of new technologies to dramatically improve energy efficiency in ICT systems with an the emphasis on new technologies that can be commercialized within the next 3 - 5 five years, and to demonstrate through field testing highly energy efficient, emerging technologies that are ready for or are in the initial stage of commercial introduction. $50 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/21/09. For more info, contact Michael Schledorn at michael.schledorn@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47742. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000107. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
12) Industrial Energy Efficiency – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Deployment of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems, District Energy Systems, Waste Energy Recovery Systems, and Efficient Industrial Equipment. This RFP will enable deployment of industrial technologies that provide 25% or greater improvement in energy efficiency over the currently-utilized equipment. The amount of funding available and number of awards anticipated not available at the time of this writing. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Debra Ball at ball@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47763. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000044. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
13) Industrial Energy Efficiency Grand Challenge
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Industrial Energy Efficiency Grand Challenge. This RFP will support the development of transformational industrial processes and technologies that reduce the energy intensity or greenhouse gas emissions of the system by a minimum of 25 percent while providing a return on investment of 10 percent or greater. $15 million expected to be available, up to 50 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Michael Schledorn at michael.schledorn@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47812. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000113. (Grants.gov 6/4/09)
14) Combined Heat and Power
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Combined Heat and Power Systems Technology Development and Demonstration. Areas of interest include: 1) Large CHP Systems - less than or equal to 20 MW, 2) Medium - less than or equal to 1MW to less than 20 MW, and 3) Small - less than or equal to 5kW to less than 1 MW. Demonstrations should be aimed at accelerating the project development process through collaborative partnerships with key industry partners. $40 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/7/09. For more info, contact Juliana Heynes at heynes@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47858. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000016. (Grants.gov 6/8/09)
15) Demonstration of Integrated Biorefinery Operations - Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Demonstration of Integrated Biorefinery Operations. Through this RFP, DOE will select integrated biorefinery projects that have the necessary technical and economic performance data that validates their readiness for the next level of scale-up. $480 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated. Responses due 6/30/09. For more info, contact Hank Eggink at hank.eggink@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47227. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000096. (Grants.gov 5/6/09)
16) Biomass Plant - Texas
The U.S. Department of the Air Force announces its intent to seek a power purchase agreement for renewable energy from a biomass energy plant. This plant will be contractor funded, designed, constructed, operated and maintained on Dyess Air Force Base, TX, under a utility service contract. The facility will be fueled from municipal solid waste and/or biomass. The minimum size plant contemplated is 2 MW. The RFP will be issued on or about 7/15/09. For more info, contact Ronald Miller at ronald.miller@dyess.af.mil or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=1c3f01b261114a0bc1f5b01bc76e51ae&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# Dyess-Biomass-Plant-09-0001. (FBO 5/29/09)
17) Efficient Trucks and Light Duty Vehicles – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Systems Level Technology Development, Integration, and Demonstration for Efficient Class 8 Trucks and Advanced Technology Powertrains for Light-Duty Vehicles. Through this RFP, DOE seeks the development and demonstration of a 50% improvement in overall freight efficiency on a heavy-duty Class 8 tractor-trailer measured in ton-miles per gallon, and to accelerate the development of cost-competitive engine and powertrain systems for light-duty vehicles capable of attaining breakthrough thermal efficiencies while meeting future emissions standards. $240 million expected to be available, up to 11 awards anticipated. Responses due 9/9/09. For more info, contact Meghaan Hampton at Meghaan.Hampton@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47867. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000079. (Grants.gov 6/9/09)
18) Innovative Transportation - California
The California Energy Commission requests proposals for the Energy Innovations Small Grant Transportation Program. Areas of interest include Vehicle Technologies, and Transportation Systems. Individual hardware projects NTE $95K, modeling projects NTE $50K. Responses due 7/23/09. For more info, go to: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/smallgrant/index.html. Refer to Sol# 09-01T.
19) DOD PV
The U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, Tracy, California, seeks a10-year photovoltaic solar power purchase agreement. Total contract quantity is 12,200,000 kWh. Responses due 7/28/09. For more info, contact Tuan Trau at Tuan.Trau@dla.mil or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=2a4f69cdef755b0e5bf4c869006e5f71&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# SP0600-09-R-0402. (FBO 6/12/09)
20) GSA - RECs
The U.S. General Services Administration requests proposals for renewable energy certificates (RECs) for GSA Regions and other Federal agencies to comply with Federal requirements. GSA seeks pricing for a total of 150,000 to 400,000 MWhs of RECs produced from renewable resources that became operational after January 1, 1999. Responses due 7/9/09. For more info, contact Ken Shutika at ken.shutika@gsa.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=c73825a34796eba1c2e2037477717f7c&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# GS-00P-09-BSD-0682. (FBO 6/5/09)
21) PV Federal Prisons Industries
Federal Prison Industries seeks Integrator and Financing Services for Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Systems, for work to include, but not limited to, the design, construction, supplies and financing for Turnkey photovoltaic systems, or any part or component thereof. Responses due 7/6/09. For more info, contact Staci Card at scard@central.unicor.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=a5f389aa6170a4a5c515c244bc545363&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# EP2557-09. (FBO 6/3/09)
22) PV- Montana
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks service to provide all equipment, labor, and material required to install a grid tied 20KW Nominal Photovoltaic System at the Ennis National Fish Hatchery, located in SW Montana. Responses due 7/10/09. For more info, contact Jon Morse at jon_morse@fws.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=34692b4f5b4d570869ed8ca647ac230c&tab=core&_cview=0. Refer to Sol# 60181RR003. (FBO 5/29/09)
23) PV- Montana
The Western Montana Acquisition Zone seeks a contract for solar systems to generate power at the Missoula Technology Development Center and the Aerial Fire Depot, located in Missoula, MT. Responses due 7/1/09. For more info, contact Dale Reckley at dreckley@fs.fed.us or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=331b7d43436c3b7491b93290dfd4780b&tab=core&_cview=. Refer to Sol# AG-03R6-S-09-0076. (FBO 5/29/09)
24) Renewables - California
The Marin Energy Authority seeks 170 MW of renewable energy resources. Responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact Jamie Tuckey at jtuckey@co.marin.ca.us or go to: http://www.marinenergyauthority.org/. (Green Power Network 5/12/09)
25) Global Climate Change Education
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requests applications for Global Climate Change Education (GCCE): Research Experience, Teaching and Learning. Each funded proposal is expected to make use of NASA’s unique contributions in climate science to enhance students’ academic experiences and/or to improve educators’ abilities to engage their students. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: 1) Global Climate Change Science Research Experiences for Undergraduate or Community College Students, and 2) Improving Teacher Competency for Global Climate Change Education. $8 million expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated. Notice of Intent to apply due 7/2/09, final proposals due 8/3/09. For more info, contact Lin Chambers at gcce-questions@lists.nasa.gov or go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={6950C5E7-9903-AFEA-2AB0-A839C6F510B4}&path=open. Refer to Sol# NNL09ZB1005C. (Grants.gov 5/27/09)
26) Carbon Capture and Sequestration – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) from Industrial Sources and Innovative Concepts for Beneficial CO2 Use. The industrial sources include, but are not limited to, cement plants, chemical plants, refineries, steel and aluminum plants, manufacturing facilities, and power plants using fuels such as petroleum coke and municipal waste. $1.421 billion expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/7/09. For more info, contact Raymond Johnson at johnson@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47854. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000015. (Grants.gov 6/8/09)
27) Regional Sequestration Technology Training – Recovery Act
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Regional Sequestration Technology Training. This initiative will support the development of regional training that facilitates transfer of knowledge and technologies required for site development, operations, and monitoring of CCS technologies. $6.970 million expected to be available, up to 7 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/22/09. For more info, contact Michael DeStefano at Michael.DeStefano@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47720. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000080. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
28) USDA SBIR
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Small Business Innovation Research Program – Phase I. SBIR supports U.S. owned, small business R&D projects that address important problems facing American agriculture and have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. Research areas include, but are not limited to: Biofuels and Biobased Products; Air, Water, and Soils; Rural Development; Aquaculture; and Animal Manure Management. $18.5 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $90K. Responses due 9/3/09. For more info, contact sbir@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-SBIR-002363. (Grants.gov 6/10/09)
29) Critical Agricultural Materials
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Critical Agricultural Materials Program. This program supports the development and demonstration of novel, environmentally friendly technologies for use in paints, coatings, and adhesives for composites. Priority will be given to proposals that include a life cycle analysis, comparing biobased products with a fossil-based counterparts, using the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability model (BEES) developed by the NIST. $1 million expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/7/09. For more info, contact Carmela Bailey at cbailey@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/cam.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-OP-002325. (Grants.gov 6/2/09)
30) Agriculture-Based Green Workforce Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP). This program supports technology development, applied research, and/or training, with a focus on rural communities, to aid in the development of a workforce for bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, or agriculture-based renewable energy. $750K expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact RTP@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/new_era.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-RTP-002295. (Grants.gov 6/5/09)
31) Aquaculture - Utah
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Utah Conservation Innovation Aquaculture Grant Program for projects that stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies to aquaculture in Utah. $200K expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Responses due 6/17/09. For more info, contact Lisa Coverdale at lisa.coverdale@ut.usda.gov or go to: http://www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CIG/cig-aquaculture.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-NRCS-UTAH-CIG-FY09-AQUACULTURE. (Grants.gov 5/11/09)
32) Public Health & Sustainable Water Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Advancing Public Health Protection through Water Infrastructure Sustainability. Projects should clearly demonstrate an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach that leads to advances in design, operation, and management of the water infrastructure and should directly tie those advances to public health protection in conjunction with improving water efficiency and reducing energy requirements. $6 million expected to be available, up to 8 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/17/09. For more info, contact Angela Page at page.angelad@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2009/2009_star_water_infrastructure.html. Refer to Sol# EPA-G2009-STAR-F1. (Grants.gov 5/20/09)
33) Sustainable Practices and Regional Priorities – Region 8
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, requests proposals for the Sustainable Practices and Regional Priorities Grant Program. This RFP will support the following areas: 1) Source Reduction Assistance Program; 2) The Strategic Agricultural Initiative; 3) The Resource Conservation Challenge Grant Initiative; and 4) The School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (for Tribes only). Projects must take place in CO, MT, ND, SD, UT or WY. $246K expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Responses due 6/29/09. For more info, contact r8cfp@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/region8/grants/. Refer to Sol# EPA-R8-2009-010. (Grants.gov 5/20/09)
34) Environmental Finance Center Grant Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grant Program. Under this program, EFC’s will be established across the nation to provide regulated parties with finance-related training, technical assistance, finance studies, and other analytical support to help them develop solutions to the critical “how-to-pay” issues associated with meeting environmental goals. $24 million expected to be available, up to 10 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/15/09. For more info, contact Timothy McProuty at efcgrant@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efcgrants/index.htm. Refer to Sol# EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01. (Grants.gov 5/28/09)
35) Reducing Childhood Lead Poisoning
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Targeted Grants to Reduce Childhood Lead Poisoning. This RFP will support activities to reduce incidences of childhood lead poisoning in vulnerable populations. $1 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/14/09. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/rfp20090513.pdf. Refer to Sol# EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-06. (Grants.gov 5/15/09)
36) Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requests proposals for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. This program supports urban jurisdictions with the greatest lead-based paint hazard control needs, in undertaking programs for the identification and control of lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental and owner-occupied housing units. $117 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $7.07 million. Responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact Bill Nellis at (202) 402-7686 or go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grpleadcombo.cfm. Refer to Sol# FR-5300-N-06. (Grants.gov 5/29/09)
37) Greening High Schools
The Student Conservation Association requests proposals for the Green Your School Contest. This is a national competition that awards projects that have, or will, improve the environmental health of the school. $10K available, 3 awards anticipated. Responses due 10/9/09. For more info, go to: http://www.thesca.org/green-your-school. (Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 5/29/09)
The Rest @ North Carolina State University
37 Requests for Proposals or Grants For Green Stimulus Money
Posted by Editor on Tuesday, June 30, 2009Labels: G-Goverment Agency, N-News
(June 5, 2009) Campbell, CA - Real Goods Solar (NASDAQ: RSOL) announced today it has signed a contract to design and install solar electric systems totaling 3.65 megawatts for the Fremont Union High School District in Sunnyvale, Cupertino and west San Jose, California.
- The new solar systems will be constructed as carports at all five high schools in the District and are expected to save District taxpayers over $12 million in the total cost of electricity over the next 25 years.
- The five systems will contribute enough electricity to cover about 45% of the power usage of each school.
- This solar program, exceeding $30 million, is believed to be the largest direct purchase by a secondary school system in North America, financed by a portion of a $198M school bond approved by the District’s voters in June 2008.
The District researched many alternative energy options before choosing Real Goods Solar for these installations across school campuses.
The system monitoring that Real Goods Solar provides will enable campuses to track their electricity offset in the years ahead.
Glenn Evans, COO/Associate Superintendent, stated, “Electricity is our single largest expense other than teachers and staff and we can only use school bond funds for facilites and equipment.
By investing bond dollars in solar, we will save many tens of millions of dollars on electric utility bills over the coming decades and that savings will go directly into supporting educational programs and students.
Real Goods Solar worked very closely with us to develop a solar power system customized to our energy needs. Solar electricity will be a huge win for everyone – for taxpayers, for students, for our community and for the environment.”
A Groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the Homestead High School site on June 9 at 12:45 p.m.
About the Fremont Union High School District:
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area in the State of California, the Fremont Union High School District currently serves over 10,000 students in a 42 square mile area covering all of the City of Cupertino, most of Sunnyvale and portions of San Jose, Los Altos, Saratoga, and Santa Clara in Santa Clara County. People move to the community because of the outstanding elementary and high school districts. The five high schools — Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista — continue to hold top ranking throughout the region, state, and nation.
About Real Goods Solar:
Real Goods Solar is a leading solar energy integrator, having installed over 4,500 solar electric systems for both residential and commercial properties. Real Goods Solar offers turnkey solar energy solutions, and has 30 years of experience in solar energy, beginning with its sale of the first solar photovoltaic panels in the United States in 1978. With offices in San Rafael, Richmond, Campbell, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Murrieta, and Hopland, California, as well as in Boulder, Colorado, Real Goods Solar is one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States. Real Goods Solar is publicly traded under the symbol RSOL (NASDAQ). For more information, go to www.realgoodssolar.com or call 1-888-507-2561.
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SB412 Testimony
Submitted to the (California) Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce by Jonah Crawford, CEO, MicroGrid Systems Inc. on Monday, June 29, 2009
Honorable Members,
The public analysis prepared for the June 29th Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce states:
“When results of this study are assessed with the quantity of demanded installed capacity, one could conclude that even moderate subsidies and policy incentives could induce a significant over-investment in CHP or to a point where the marginal benefits significantly decrease.”
However the report fails to qualify this adjective ‘marginal’. With or without fossil fuels when a technology or grouping of technologies such as CHP reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% there is nothing marginal about them.
The report goes on to state:
“The ARB's target of 4,000 MW of CHP would equate to about 6.7% of total system power, which far exceeds existing solar (368 MW or 0.6%).”
and further that:
“The utilities have been collecting a surcharge for the SGIP and it has not been fully expended. The current unexpended balance is about $200 million.”
So after 78 months with this very attractive SGIP incentive in place why does wind, solar and fuel cell technology account for less than approximately 2.1% of the State's total installed capacity ?
Could this be the failure of previous public analysis to anticipate the economic realities of solar PV, fuel cells, and wind technology ?
For all its proven benefits, relative to both the amount of power PV and wind deliver from a given area, and the volumes of power our society demands these technologies remain prohibitively expensive. Furthermore the dream of converting vast tracts of California’s deserts into PV and wind farms is already showing signs of becoming yet another environmental nightmare.
This is not to say that one day wind and PV won’t deliver on their promise, or that their incentives should be removed. However the economic realities of these technologies should be recognized as an inconvenient truth.
Solar-thermal assisted CHP offers rate-payers and the State a middle ground, critical path towards meeting the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
- This grouping of technologies provides five times greater solar efficiency than PV and at roughly 1/5 the installation cost.
- Thus by utilizing solar-assisted CHP, per incentive dollar five times the total output power of PV can be installed with a net 60-90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
In the UK millions of tons of carbon emissions will be offset in the next decade through grid-tied household micro CHP installations.
SB412 represents an important opportunity to set in place the same technologies that are effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU under the Kyoto Protocols.
CHP is the critical path for California to securely meet its demand for new power, reliably and with far less emissions.
When the intelligent grid gets built, will anyone notice?" Don Von Dollen, EPRI's IntelliGrid program manager, is only partly joking when he asks this question. Of course utilities will notice the benefits that come from greater intelligence in the power-distribution network--better diagnostics, & The Smart Grid
Provides Smart Grid Technologies Reliability Efficiency Utilization
Energy Efficiency for Utilities Smart Operations, Networks & Metershttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BGA6ldxhJSpPlLIjEmwaOocXmA8K3yYgBnNqHhgzAjbcBsNxZEAIYAiDO45ECKAM4AFCH_5uQ_v____8BYMmm7ozkpMATsgETd3d3LmFsbGJ1c2luZXNzLmNvbcgBAdoBPWh0dHA6Ly93d3cuYWxsYnVzaW5lc3MuY29tL3V0aWxpdGllcy91dGlsaXRpZXMvNDA1NjQ0MC0xLmh0bWyoAwHoA5IF6APpAegDsgPoA8kC9QMCBAAE&num=2&sig=AGiWqtxYNsBXf0NXdfFTQY1J_E4E0UJojQ&client=ca-pub-2905054723170537&adurl=http://www.telvent.com/sites/telvent/en/areasnegocio/energia/electricidad/descripcion/Guardian Water & PowerSubmetering Products and Services Water, Gas, Electric, greater reliability, more efficient use of assets, improved customer service, and greater control over load patterns.
At the same time, however, these advancements generally are occurring in small steps rather than giant leaps.
Very few utilities will flip a switch and wake up the intelligent grid, like a mundane version of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. That's because grid intelligence does not emerge from a single rollout of revolutionary technology, but from strategic planning and targeted investments--a substation here, a metering project there--all aimed at a long-term vision.
"The book value of U.S. T&D assets is something like $400 billion," Von Dollen observes. "That huge investment will not be transformed, but will evolve through incremental investments that knit together this new intelligent infrastructure, with communications networks and embedded processing."
The Rest @ All Business
And there's the rub for the intelligent grid.
Labels: B- Smartgrid, E-Education, T-Smart Meters
As the dust settles on the nation's first serious effort to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, here's a look at some of the reactions to the House carbon cap-and-trade bill (a.k.a. the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the Waxman-Markey bill, or H.R. 2454).
Environmental groups -- and their allies in industry -- were almost unanimous in their support of the legislation, but many noted limitations.
- Two groups opposed it and criticized it heavily, as did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- Every interest group pledged to make their opinions known to the Senate, which is expected to debate similar legislation -- but not for several months.
The Good (with Some Ugly Noted)
- The Apollo Alliance, a coalition of environmental and industry groups that support clean energy investments and a national cap on carbon emissions, called the bill a "giant leap forward to establish energy security, reduce harmful carbon emissions, and create millions of green jobs that will put our citizens back to work and get our economy back on track." Chairman Phil Angelides said, "In particular, the bill’s inclusion of investments to help U.S. manufacturers retool plants and retrain workers to produce the systems and components of the clean energy economy is a major victory that will keep millions of new, green jobs here at home and help revive America’s long suffering manufacturing sector."
Carl Pope, the executive director of the - The Sierra Club, echoed many in calling the bill's passage historic: "This bill sets the stage for the dawn of the clean energy future. While imperfect, it sets forth a set of goals America must achieve -- and exceed. Its most important achievement is setting the United States on a path to reduce carbon emissions some 80% by 2050. It also makes strides in halting international deforestation, requires new buildings to dramatically slash energy waste, will speed the development of made-in-America electric vehicles, and provides important protections for workers, consumers, and others who may be affected by our transition to a clean energy future."
He said, however, that the Sierra Club will lobby to make the final bill include "a mechanism for cleaning up the oldest and dirtiest coal plants," more energy efficiency spending and more subsidization of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.
Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute, called the bill the most important piece of environmental legislation in 30 years. "Like many, I would like to see deeper cuts," he said. "But what is most important is to start changing the trajectory of the greenhouse gas-generating juggernaut that is the US economy. And the alternative is not a stronger bill, it is no bill."
Environmental Defense Fund president Fred Krupp called the bill the most important piece of environmental legislation ever passed in the United States: "The American Clean Energy and Security Act puts the U.S. on the path to significant emissions reductions, a stronger economy, and a new position of leadership in the global effort to protect the climate."
The Bad (With More Ugly)
- William Kovacs, senior vice president of environment, technology and regulatory affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a foe of many environmental protection initiatives, including this one, said the bill would harm business: "The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a 1,200-page behemoth consisting of a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions, a federal renewable electricity mandate, and a suite of new mandatory energy efficiency standards, will impose 397 new federal regulations (which require traditional federal agency rulemakings) and 1060 new mandates on an American public already overwhelmed by extensive federal regulation."
- Friends of the Earth president Brent Blackwelder said the bill had been "neutered" by big oil, dirty coal, corporate agribusiness, and Wall Street lobbyists: "This bill will produce nowhere near the emissions reductions that are needed to solve global warming, and — astonishingly — it will eliminate existing EPA authority to fight pollution from coal-fired power plants. It will not put us on the path to a clean energy future, but it will lock us into a system that rewards polluters with massive giveaways and can be gamed by Wall Street; it is therefore likely to empower entrenched interests that stand in the way of progress."
- Carroll Muffett, the USA Deputy Campaigns Director for Greenpeace, called the bill's passage a "victory for coal industry lobbyists, oil industry lobbyists, agriculture industry lobbyists, steel and cement industry lobbyists, among many others. But it is a tremendous loss for the American people and for the world in our common fight to avert climate catastrophe. To avoid the worst effects of global warming, we must reduce emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020, and the short term target of this bill is a paltry 4%. The massive offsets in this bill means that we can continue at our current emissions level for years, and huge giveaways mean a new generation of nuclear and coal plants."Read
Even though the United States’ electric utility system delivers only 20% to 30% of potential energy to end-users, it’s still the most cost-effective means of generation available today.
- Large-scale industrial users—especially those who can also use the by-product heat—can justify the investment on economic terms.
- Many others have justified investment in power generation capability to provide better-than-grid reliability or quality in the form of uninterruptible power supply systems.
- Emergency standby systems remain connected to the grid but can operate autonomously at least for a time.
- Still others have found economies in peak shaving applications.
The result is that more than 550,000 small (less than 5MW) stationary power generation facilities are currently operating in the United States.
But many owners of these small power plants still look at their monthly electric bills and wonder if there might be a better way.
Renewed interest in DG has been driven by a combination of issues, including:
- total cost
- capital availability
- supply reliability
- power quality.
To the degree that these factors stack up favorably for self generation as opposed to grid supplied power, DG emerges as a compelling choice.
Over the past several years, the events and developments that many in the power generation industry had predicted would help the DG market take off have failed to materialize.
Concerns surrounding Y2K, projections of substantial increases in utility costs, deteriorating utility infrastructure, and continuing gas surpluses led many to project that the equation would move in a favorable direction for distributed power.
Some even believed it would move quickly and substantially. In fact, developers of micro turbine products thought that they could tip the balance with new technology. None of these has come true, but that’s not to say they never will.
The market potential. Of the 550,000 small stationary power generation plants in the United States, less than 25,000 are used for standalone, full-time power generation (See Table).
Many of these are powered by reciprocating natural gas fueled engines.
Though in use in some locations, diesel creates a costly emissions problem that contributes to its overall unfavorable economics. Small and micro turbines represent a small portion of the market, and a variety of situational sources, such as small hydro, solar, wind, hybrid, and fuel cells, make up the rest.
The distribution of output for these power plants—some include multiple generators with a combined total less than 5MW—indicates that these plants have made most sense for larger users.
Small-scale self generators have met with a wide range of economic successes, but very few of them can claim substantial economic gains.
Only in situations where fuel is essentially free, as in the cases of bio gas by-products, coal seam gas, or other such sources, have alternative generation technologies been able to demonstrate an economic advantage.
They may have achieved improved reliability or better quality, but economic improvements are usually marginal except in cases where the plant location is remote or isolated from the grid or is optimized for combined heat and power supply.
The economics are further complicated by the fact that for most users electric power and heat are relatively minor parts of their overall operating budget.
Over the years surveys have found that for most small power plant owners, electric power and heat account for less than 5% and 4% of annual operating budgets, respectively.
These figures vary seasonally and regionally as well as by sector.
Reliability has been less of a concern in certain regions, but the consensus seems to be that it has been declining and could be cause for serious concern in the future. Moreover, it’s believed by many that the infrastructure will continue to slip and will be too expensive to correct in the short term.
The outlook from here. It has become clear that most of the “easy” applications for small DG have been explored. In order for more opportunities to emerge, some of the factors in the viability equation must change.
The micro turbine promoters had the right idea by implementing changes in technology incrementally, but few of these changes resulted in a real benefit.
In addition, it takes a considerable amount of time to prove those benefits to a skeptical marketplace, something that many in the industry often forget.
On the other hand, the adoption time can be shortened if the benefit is significant. A disruptive technology that offers much higher efficiencies at considerably lower first cost will be necessary unless other factors move in favor of current technologies.
Those closest to the threshold are installations that can use both the heat and electric power.
These opportunities are everywhere, and they’re just over the horizon.
- The factors that could drive the variables in favor of small distributed power generation are those that force utilities to invest more heavily while leaving end-user choices unaffected.
- The prospects are real, and the large scale transmission system failures last summer only strengthen their chances.
- The utilities are also faced with continuing pressure on emissions reductions, and the proportion of electric power generated by low-cost coal could change the playing field.
It appears to be inevitable that the cost differential will improve for small distributed power. The rate of utility investments will increase over the next several years. The proportion of power generated by low-cost coal will decrease. Regulatory change will move in favor of better gas buying opportunities for small generators.
Change in product technology will be more important if it reduces cost of the equipment than if it improves efficiency, except in the case of the self generator who uses the power plant only for electricity.
However, in that case the economics make that option far from viable. The total package efficiency needs to be 80% or greater. A typical reciprocating gas engine today is never more than 40% efficient at converting the potential energy in the fuel to electricity. It’s possible to capture another 40% to 45% of that potential in waste heat. The typical micro turbine without heat recovery is less than 30% efficient, and therefore just isn’t practical without other circumstantial rationalization.
Change could come in the form of significantly increased power output of a given engine. Today’s gas engines produce only about 50% of the power of a similarly sized diesel. There are technologies currently under development that can nearly double the power output from the same piece of iron, thereby keeping the cost about the same.
The 550,000 installed power plants that aren’t in full-time use are also attracting interest. Utilities could very well decide that they’ll supply distributed power installations. This would eliminate the complexity factor. A case could be made that a gas company could move into the electric power business and level out the summer/winter demand imbalance. However, this would only be possible with regulatory changes and a different perspective on future gas supplies and cost. Neither of these will happen quickly.
The potential for DG is huge, even if single-family residential applications are excluded.
- More than 10 million commercial and institutional establishments and more than 15 million multi-family residential facilities are candidates.
- Obviously some of these prospects are better than others. The further this projection is extended, the higher the probability but the wider the error range in that estimate.
- Customers who are large enough to have a peak demand of more than 300kW but too small to gain advantageous electric rates are the best early adapter candidates.
- These are small and medium size industrial and commercial users.
- Hotels, factories, office buildings, and schools are good examples.
The timing for this change is uncertain. The number of DG installations will undoubtedly increase, but how much and how soon are difficult to predict. Given some reasonable assumptions for the energy outlook and the pace of regulatory change, it’s reasonable to expect that installations will have doubled within five years, and they’ll probably double again in the five years after that.
The key factors to watch for are increasing utility investments and higher interest rates, which both make life difficult for large-scale utility investments.
- New technologies that increase the specific output but not necessarily the efficiency of gas engines or small turbines, could reduce the initial cost per kW of capacity.
- Further deterioration of the delivery system reliability would also increase the premium that self generators might be willing to pay
Some combination of these factors will continue to drive the DG market. If the utilities decide to get on board, the demand could accelerate sharply. If they decide to discourage this direction, it could continue to be a slow painful struggle.
Zirnhelt is president and CEO of Power Systems Research in St. Paul, Minn.
Did you see the Matthew Mcconaughey movie, Sahara? This appears to be a Concetrated Solar Facility like the one inthe movie.
-Editor
Starwood Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Arizona Public Service Co.; To Build the World's Largest Dispatchable Solar Plant with Lockheed MartinPRNewswireGREENWICH, Conn.May 22
- Solar-Thermal Electric Generating Facility Will Produce Up to 290 MWs of Clean Electrical Power and Serve Nearly 73,000 Customers
- Project is Latest Result of Starwood Energy's Alliance with Lockheed Martin to Build Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facilities
- GREENWICH, Conn., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC ("Starwood Energy"), a private investment firm focused on energy infrastructure projects, today announced that its affiliate, Starwood Solar I, LLC ("Starwood Solar") has signed a definitive power purchase agreement ("PPA") with Arizona Public Service Company. ("APS").
- Starwood Solar will contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation to construct a 290 megawatt ("MW") concentrating solar trough plant in Harquahala Valley, Arizona
- and commit all the renewable energy and capacity from the facility to APS under the PPA.
The facility, scheduled to be completed in 2013, will be the world's largest dispatchable solar energy plant ever built and will provide enough electricity for nearly 73,000 APS electricity customers.
The facility is the direct result of Starwood Energy's ongoing teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin to build utility-scale solar power facilities and is a customized response to APS which is seeking to further expand its sources of energy from renewable sources.
It also reflects the latest in a string of investments in solar energy, transmission and natural gas-fired generating facilities by Starwood Energy.
"Today's announcement marks an important milestone in the ongoing effort to develop and build meaningful solar generation facilities in this country," said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman of Starwood Energy.
"Too often, the planned facilities in this space are either too small or too thinly funded to meaningfully advance the national effort to expand the United States' use of reliable and efficient clean energy technology.
But by bringing together Starwood Energy, Lockheed Martin and APS, who have each proven to be a leader in the renewable energy space, we have the ability to build a facility that accomplishes just that for tens of thousands of people in Arizona.
We are looking forward to getting started."
"When we formed our alliance with Lockheed Martin 18 months ago, this is exactly the type of game-changing project we envisioned tackling together," said Brad Nordholm, CEO of Starwood Energy.
"The combination of our ability to finance this project, Lockheed Martin's systems integration and design expertise and APS's drive to provide its customers with cost-effective, sustainable power will result in a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the citizens of Arizona for years to come.
We look forward to working in concert with APS, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the Arizona Corporation Commission, Maricopa County and community leaders on this facility, which will help both the state and the country take another step toward creating environmentally friendly energy solutions."
- The plant will be located in the Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 75 miles west of Phoenix,
- Owned by Starwood Solar, with all the power generated by the facility provided to APS through a long-term PPA.
- Lockheed Martin will be responsible for engineering, procurement and construction, as well as operations and maintenance when the facility is complete.
- Over the next twelve months, Starwood Energy and its affiliate Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC will work to complete permitting and structure and place the construction and permanent financing Starwood Energy acquired Nautilus to expand its solar development platform in December 2008.
The facility's solar technology will use parabolic mirrors to track the sun and focus the sun's heat on a heat transfer fluid, which will transfer its heat energy to water, creating steam.
The steam is then used to run conventional steam turbines to create electricity. The heat energy in the fluid also can be stored and used at a later time to generate electricity when most needed by APS's customers.
About Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC
Starwood Energy is an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group Global, LLC, a multi-billion dollar private equity investment firm located in Greenwich, CT. Since 2005, Starwood Energy has committed to energy infrastructure transactions totaling $3.2 billion of enterprise value, including
- the Neptune Regional Transmission System, a 660 MW undersea power cable connecting Long Island to New Jersey,
- CalPeak Power a 260 MW portfolio of five natural gas-fired peaking power plants in California,
- and the 272 MW Thermo Ft. Lupton combined-cycle plant in Colorado. Starwood Energy successfully completed the 120 MW Starwood-Midway power plant on May 5th, 2009.
Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC
CONTACT: Media, Tom Johnson or Amy Robinson, both of The AbernathyMacGregor Group, +1-212-371-5999, for Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC
The Rest @ Corporat News in FindlawCapstone Receives Order for C200 Microturbines for China Southern Power Grid Pilot Project
Capstone Turbine Corporation - 05.26.2009
Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that it has received an order for three C200 microturbine systems for China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. ("CSG").
CSG was established on December 29th, 2002 as a result of the power sector deregulatory reform in China. CSG is one of two state-owned power grid companies in China. CSG invests in, constructs and operates the transmission and distribution networks in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hainan provinces and regions.
The low-emission, highly efficient, natural-gas powered turbines will be installed in a 330,000-square-foot CSG dispatch building and serve as a pilot project to show the benefits of microturbines in a combined cooling heat and power ("CCHP") application.
The project also is designed to illustrate how CCHP projects can easily and safely connect to the CSG grid.
The Chinese Science Academy proposed the CCHP pilot project, which will produce 570-kilowatts of clean electricity and about 1,000-kilowatts per hour of thermal energy for the dispatch building.
The electricity will supplement power from the local utility, while the exhaust-heat energy generated by the compact C200 microturbines will be captured and run through an absorption chiller to produce air conditioning.
The Rest @ Energy CEntral
Charlottesville to be First City in Dominion Virginia Power's 'Smart Grid' Network
Innovative program opens doors to wide range of energy conservation options
Press Release
June 18, 2009
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Charlottesville has been selected as the first city in Virginia and one of the first in the nation to benefit from "smart grid" technology that will make the delivery of electricity more efficient and less costly while improving customer service. Smart grid capabilities also will promote energy conservation and environmental responsibility.
Dominion Virginia Power executives joined Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, University of Virginia President John Casteen, state and local officials, and private industry partners today to unveil SmartGrid Charlottesville. The $20 million program begins with the installation of about 46,500 "smart meters" in the city of Charlottesville and Albermarle County. More than half of the meters have been installed, with completion scheduled by the end of this year.
"This program launches a new era in energy efficiency and customer empowerment for Virginia," said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion. "As the smart grid develops, energy conservation capabilities and programs will grow and provide additional benefits for our customers, the environment and our company."
Pending regulatory approval where required, the highlights ultimately are expected to include:
Automatic energy usage reduction of about 4 percent or more annually for typical residential customers through more-efficient management of energy delivery by Dominion. That will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12,000 tons annually, equal to removing 2,100 cars from the road.
A demonstration project providing customers Web access, through www.Dom.com, for energy usage and billing information.
The option of time-based rates that give customers the opportunities to shift electricity use to off-peak times for additional savings.
A demonstration project with Arlington, Va.- based Positive Energy to provide periodic reports that show customers how their energy usage compares with other customers.
A demonstration project to test battery storage systems that could promote renewable electricity generation such as solar.
Automatic reporting of outages, allowing for quicker restoration of service.
Increased customer convenience through remote turn-on and turn-off of service and remote meter readings.
A demonstration program for light-emitting diode (LED) street lights.
Assistance for Charlottesville to evaluate an electric transportation program.
The SmartGrid Charlottesville project is in addition to 12 energy conservation programs that Dominion Virginia Power plans to offer across its service area pending approval of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The company expects to seek SCC approval for those programs in a filing early in July.
The Charlottesville-Albermarle County area was chosen for the project for several reasons.
- Its varied, hilly terrain provides a test of the two-way wireless communications capabilities of smart meters.
- It also has a mix of residential, business and institutional customers, and customers have expressed a high interest in actively managing their energy use.
U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, said, "Smart grid technology is our gateway to the frontiers of the new energy economy, and I'm proud that Charlottesville will be leading the way with this demonstration program. I believe our area can be a catalyst for new technologies that will lower costs for consumers while also reducing our carbon footprint."
This initiative gives consumers new tools to make smarter choices in how -- and when -- they use energy," said U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner. "I salute Dominion Virginia Power and Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials for blazing the trail in Virginia with this next-generation energy conservation program."
Pending regulatory approval, the company plans to install smart meters and equipment throughout its service area over the next few years. The $600 million program is part of a plan the company announced in June 2008 that is expected to save customers more than $1 billion over the next 15 years through fuel savings and by potentially avoiding the need for two future power stations and delaying the need for two others.
SmartGrid Charlottesville is in addition to Dominion Virginia Power's green power program and its other energy conservation programs.
- Even with conservation, however, Virginia's demand for electricity will continue growing by an estimated 4,600 megawatts by 2019.
- In addition to improving the infrastructure for transmitting power, the company will meet the growth in demand by pursuing a balanced mix of new generating facilities, including wind, biomass and other forms of renewable energy, emissions-free nuclear, natural gas and clean coal technology.
Labels: B-Smartgrid, C-US, E-Education, N-Energy Economy, N-News
