Nation's renewable energy consumption highest since the 1930s

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. consumers are increasingly turning to solar, wind and biomass for their energy needs, driving domestic renewable energy consumption to its highest peak since the 1930s.

A recent analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration — an independent research service of the U.S. Department of Energy — found that renewables’ share of the nation’s energy consumption hit 9.8 percent in 2014.

That percentage, the analysis said, returns the country to its 1930 levels of renewable energy consumption, when wood was a larger contributor to domestic energy supplies.

Year to year growth, on average, was 5 percent from 2001-2014 for renewable energy consumption, due in large part to the growing use of wind, solar and biofuels, according to the analysis.

As an example:

• Wind energy grew by 70 trillion British thermal units in 2001 to 1,700 trillion Btu in 2014.

• In the same period, solar energy grew from 64 trillion Btu to 427 trillion Btu and the use of biomass for the production of biofuels grew from 253 trillion Btu to 2,068 trillion Btu.

(A Btu is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit).

While hydroelectric power remained the nation’s largest source of renewable energy in 2014, wood held onto its No. 2 spot, with the analysis pointing to the high demand for wood pellets contributing to its recent growth.

The administration said Americans are increasingly turning to wood to heat their homes and the transportation sector is pushing a larger appetite for biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel.

In 2014, the industrial sector used 24 percent of the nation’s renewable energy, with nearly all of that coming from biomass — which includes wood, waste and biofuels used in the manufacturing process and the production of heat and power.

Utah renewables

None of these energy dynamics are lost on Utah’s landscape of power production, with multiple renewable projects slated to come online and research that is ongoing to diversify the state’s energy portfolio.

The Utah Biomass Resources Group estimates there are 15 million tons of woody biomass available in the state each year, with combustion techniques that produce very little smoke or vapor.

Organized in 2010 and drawing together multiple state agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and Utah State University Extension Service, the group is looking to tap into Utah’s biomass resources for energy, and at the same time boost forest health and improve watersheds.

The group says a total of 45 million tons of “green energy” could be utilized in the state over the next five years. Demonstration projects on the economics of utilizing woody biomass have drawn substantial interest and a unique partnership is being broached to convert the material to energy, according to co-chairman Darren McAvoy.

Utah is also poised to see billions in new solar investments over the next 18 months, with nearly 900 megawatts of new solar slated to be turned on, said Jeffrey Barrett, deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development.

“Southern Utah is abuzz with solar contracts,” he said.

And in late June, Sustainable Power Group announced its purchase of a 62.1-megawatt wind farm in San Juan County that is expecting to begin energy production this year, inking a 20-year contract with PacifiCorp to purchase the power.

The Sierra Club’s national director, Michael Brune, said Utah state officials may be able to point to future projects coming online, but the reality is “very little” is happening in the state when it comes to renewable energy.

“Iowa will soon get 40 percent of its electricity from renewables and Colorado will soon be at 30 percent,” he said. “Nevada will soon be the leader with advanced energy batteries. All of these things are happening, but very little of it is happening in Utah. Instead you see this rush to extract fossil fuels from a world-class resource. It is tragic.”

Brune, in Moab a few weeks ago of an environmental advocacy road trip, bemoaned the oil and gas development that is occurring near Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park.

Standards and goals

While acknowledging that development is happening via leases owned by the federal government — and not within the state’s control — Brune said the state could do more to require investments in renewable energy, including the adoption of a renewable energy standard that is more than just a wish.

Brune said the majority of Utah’s neighboring states have renewable portfolio standards that require a percentage of their energy be derived from alternative sources such as wind or solar, while Utah’s remains just a “goal.”

“It would accelerate clean energy and it would create an enormous amount of jobs in the state,” he said. “It would reduce the amount of air and water pollution. It would be a boon for the state of Utah.”

Local advocates Utah Clean Energy also point out that the state’s goal is flawed because it lacks any interim goals or targets to reach its stated desire to get to 20 percent by 2025.

Under Utah’s provisions, utility companies are only required to use renewable energy if it is cost effective, according to the group.

Barrett said the critics will always be right: There’s more to be done on the renewable energy front.

“Everyone can always do more to incentivize, more to encourage the development of renewable energy,” he said. “There’s always more that you can do. The growth in Utah in renewable energy may not have kept pace with the rest of the country in terms of what is being consumed.”

But Barrett argues that Utah — with its 82 percent energy production arising from coal — is poised to see nearly 15 percent of its capacity come from renewables by 2016.

“If all of the resources are actively generating at their full capacity post 2016, then non-hydro renewable energy will account for about 15 percent of that total capacity,” he said.

Barrett said by waiting and letting the cost of solar come down so it has become a more economically attainable option, Utah consumers will be able to get renewable energy at about the same cost as natural gas, rather than the high prices California consumers are paying.

“You can rail against Utah’s policy, but the fact is Utah gets to have its cake and eat it, too,” he said. “They get it at roughly half the cost of neighboring states that took the more progressive action of creating a mandate.”

Barrett said he believes that factor speaks to the attractiveness of letting the “market” dictate what happens with renewable energy.

“We are behind some states and in a couple of years we will be ahead of some states in terms of portfolio numbers,” he said. “What matters is that we are getting the renewable at a really good price for ratepayers.”

Brune and other advocates contend that Utah is missing out on a bounty of economic development activity with its insistence on staying with a mere goal — which does not reflect what the majority of states have done. The District of Columbia, three territories and 29 states all have standards, not goals.

“If Iowa can invest in clean energy, why can’t Utah?”

But Barret said Brune’s blanket accusation doesn’t reflect the reality of what is happening.

Clean energy jobs

“We are investing to the tune of millions of dollars a year depending on the year through tax incentives, both refundable and nonrefundable,” he said. For every megawatt hour of renewable energy generated in this state, we pay a production tax credit. If that is not investment, I don’t know what is.”

A recent report issued by an affiliate of another prominent national environmental organization, too, lists Utah among the top 10 states in the country for clean energy job creation announcements and related transportation for the first three months of 2015.

The Wednesday compilation was researched and produced by E2, or Environmental Entrepreneurs, which is affiliated with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

In its state by state analysis, the report pointed to the 300 jobs that are slated to come online in Utah with a large-scale solar farm planned for Iron County. Those jobs are among the nearly 10,000 clean energy and clean transportation jobs announced during early 2015.

Barrett said that type of concession by an environmental group bolsters his contention that Utah is making strides in the renewable energy arena.

“We are a proactive partner for companies looking to develop these resources. We do everything we can to encourage this activity, short of mandating a certain resource mix to our utility companies, because we don’t think that is appropriate.”

Email: amyjoi@deseretnews.com

Twitter: amyjoi16

Nation"s renewable energy consumption highest since the 1930s

With more work, solar is the future

When the Wright brothers began their experiments with flight, no one could have imagined that years later air travel would become thoroughly routine. To be successful, the brothers had to overcome numerous hurdles. When no manufacturer could supply them with an engine light and powerful enough to propel them into the air, they built their own. By doing so, they changed history.

Now, with the record-breaking Solar Impulse 2, history is being written once more. As The National reported yesterday, the aircraft completed the most difficult leg of its journey around the world on Friday when it successfully landed in Hawaii after crossing much of the Pacific. Swiss explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the driving forces behind the project, have effectively succeeded in creating the first plane capable of perpetual flight.

The flight was made possible after years of hard work, research and development. However, it’s also important to note that this is just the start of a much longer journey. More work needs to be undertaken to develop solar flights that are currently impractical due to the slow travel time, unpredictable weather and weight constraints of the aircraft.

The focus should now be on reducing the weight of solar-powered aircraft and improving speed in the air. Another area to improve is the power storage system. Batteries are not yet efficient enough to allow solar power to compete with fossil fuels. Their cost remains relatively high and they store limited amounts of energy.

But the good news is that research is already underway at Masdar Institute and, indeed, elsewhere to develop more advanced solar energy storage. While this research may not yet have yielded any new advances for solar aviation, the Institute’s focus on sustainable energy systems is likely to throw up new lines of development to pursue.

The history of flight tells us that there are always new technologies that can lead to the next “big thing”. Solar Impulse 2’s journey around the globe will end soon, but the journey towards universal fuel-less flights continues apace.

With more work, solar is the future

Wildfire smoke advisory issued for Fort St. John

Updated with information on a fire ban. — Ed. 

A smoke advisory has been issued for Fort St. John and surrounding areas due to smoke from wildfires in the area.

The situation is expected to persist for at least the next 24 hours.

Exposure is of particular concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and lung or heart disease.

The B.C. Ministry of Environment warns that people with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, discomfort, or irritation of airways.

Wildfires are currently burning on both sides of the border.

RELATED STORY: 15 gas plant workers forced to flee Petitot River Wildfire

In the Prince George Fire Centre (which includes all of Northeast B.C.), crews are responding to the 415-hectare Mount Bigfoot Fire about 90 kilometres southeast of Fort Nelson.

The Petitot River Fire is also burning about 115 kilometres northeast of Fort Nelson, which was about 3,600 hectares at last estimate. An evacuation alert was issued by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.

On the Alberta side of the border, there are two wildfires burning north of Worsley.

Real-time air quality information is available at www.bcairquality.ca.

How to reduce health risk

— People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure. If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke and if necessary see their physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.

— Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.

— Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

— Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.

— Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.

— Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.

— You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.

— Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.

— Pay attention to local air quality reports, air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.

— Commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.

— Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

— For general information about smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.

Fire ban throughout B.C.

A fire ban also went out on Friday across the majority of the province except areas along the western coast of Vancouver Island that includes campfires and fireworks.

Cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are exempt. 

The fire ban covers all B.C. Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.

B.C. Wildfire Management does not have jurisdiction within municipalities, says Fire Information Officer Emily Epp.

“But a lot of municipalities have their own bylaws in places about back yard burning,” she said. 

Both the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire departments warn residents that there is currently a ban on backyard fires both cities that includes open fires of any size, the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and tiki torches, burning barrels or burning cages of any size, exploding rifle targets or use of forced-air burning systems. 

For more information on the ban call the City of Fort St. John fire department (250-785-4333) or the Dawson Creek fire department (250-782-9898). 

dcreporter@dcdn.ca

© Copyright 2015 Alaska Highway News

Wildfire smoke advisory issued for Fort St. John

Construction starts on wind farm to help meet ACT's energy needs

The ACT aims to source 90 per cent of Canberra’s electricity from renewable energy by 2020. Photo: Rohan Thomson

The first wind farm to supply renewable energy to power thousands of Canberra homes is one step closer. 

Building work on the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm near Bendigo is set to start today. 

It was one of three wind farms in Victoria and South Australia to win 20-year deals with the ACT government to supply a third of Canberra’s electricity needs within two years.

The deals are worth a total of $68 million a year to the three companies and will cost Canberra households an average $93 extra a year on their power bills at the peak in 2020. 

The farm will help the ACT meet its goal to source 90 per cent of Canberra’s electricity from renewable energy by 2020.

Environment Minister Simon Corbell said the Victorian farm would generate “the lowest-cost wind energy in Australia” at $81.50 per megawatt hour.

“Wind is currently the lowest-cost renewable energy generation available, and will play a big role in the decarbonisation of the ACTs electricity supply.

“It will contribute approximately three-quarters of the ACT’s 90 per cent renewable energy target.”

Mr Corbell said an expected annual output of 82,000 megawatt-hours would be enough to power about 12,000 homes.

The farm will be managed by wind energy development company Windlab from its global operation centre in Canberra. 

The hub was set up as part of the company’s bid for the wind auction and currently employs 15 staff, a number which should grow to 70 by 2035.

Construction of the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm should be finished in the first half of next year. 

Construction starts on wind farm to help meet ACT"s energy needs

Report: Germany's 'Green' Revolution Is Running Out Of Money

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It wasn’t long ago that President Barack Obama was pointing to Germany as an example of how the U.S. should develop green energy, but that was before news that Europe’s biggest economy might be running out of money for its green energy revolution.

Germany’s $412 billion plan to power itself with green energy may be running low on cash, according to a new report by financial consultants, as consumer energy prices skyrocket and traditional power plants require more subsidies to stay in business.

“The necessary equity funds for the expansion of the network infrastructure and offshore wind can probably be provided only with the participation of alternative and international investors,” warns a report by consultants with Roland Berger and the World Energy Council.

“High risks however make it questionable whether the investment needs can be met at a sufficient capacity and speed,” reads the unpublished study obtained by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a German newspaper.

For years, Germany has been trying to force more wind and solar energy onto its electrical grid, but what started as a well-intended effort to fight global warming devolved into an expensive labyrinth of subsidies and special interest politics.

The idea was that once the grid was transformed to power more green energy, costs would go down as new technologies and efficiencies came onto market. But the report by Roland Berger and the World Energy Council cautions that at least 280 billion euros will be needed in the next 15 years to meet Germany’s green goals. And that’s with “sustained political support,” the report warns — without it, the transformation could get even more costly.

That’s only the tip of the cost-berg, the report warns. The report also warns that funding for offshore wind farms faces “high risk and market entry barriers” and a “significantly tighter situation.” Germany and other Europeans countries are increasingly relying on offshore wind farms for electricity, especially as nuclear power plants are phased out.

“The high risk of investing in offshore wind farms, however, contradicts the risk profile of institutional investors,” the report warns.

And don’t forget money needed for the transmissions systems required to bring such localized and dispersed electricity production to the homes and businesses which need it. The German Energy Agency estimates these systems will cost the country 28 to 43 billion euros by 2040.

One thing that’s often overlooked by green energy supporters is that people need energy while new sources are being built. Germany’s energy transition, however, is causing traditional power plants — which still supply most of the country’s power — to go into the red financially and require an ever increasing amount of state subsidies to survive.

“Many traditional utilities, which previously financed investments in the electricity sector, mainly through their shareholders’ equity, are today with their backs to the wall,” Uwe Franke, president of the German wing of the World Energy Council, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Franke told the paper that “new investors would have to be found to ensure ‘the energy transition and the security of supply.’”

[H/T The Global Warming Policy Forum]

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Report: Germany"s "Green" Revolution Is Running Out Of Money

Coal miner turns to the sun for energy

Reuters | 2015-07-01 07:52:47.0

A coal mine. File photo.
Image by: Robert Tshabalala

A coal mining company in Botswana plans to develop a solar power station to generate up to 200MW of electricity as the country struggles with power shortages

Botswana’s central bank warned last month that the electricity disruptions could undercut aims to maintain growth above 4%.

Shumba Coal said its solar installation would initially produce 100MW and this would increase to 200MW over time. The project includes the installation of 400000 photovoltaic cells across an area of 200ha, the company said.

“We see solar energy as complementary to our coal-based energy projects,” said Shumba’s managing director Mashale Phumaphi.

Power from the station would also supply upcoming copper mines in the Kalahari copper belt, which are currently not connected to the national grid, he added.

Cupric Canyon Capital, a private equity firm backed by a unit of Barclays, said last month it would soon begin construction of a copper mine in the area.

Zambia has started rationing power to that country’s mines. “They have given us a schedule indicating how much electricity they will supply to us at different times of the day,” a source said.

Africa’s second-biggest copper producer has cut generation by 300MW after levels in Kariba Dam fell due to drought.

Coal miner turns to the sun for energy

The Easygoing Guy's Guide to A/C Maintenance

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2. Check the air filters

It is not commonly known, but a healthy furnace is needed to have an active air conditioning system. Dirty air filters in an air-conditioning system lower air quality, unit efficiency and can lead to breakage from an overworked system. You should clean your filters about other every month. The process only takes about 10 minutes (check your owner’s manual for specific instructions). “If the filter filth builds up too quickly, it might be time for a replacement of the unit,” Trent says.

3. Keep the area clear

In order for your system to work properly, all vents and units need to be free of debris. Keep lawn clipping, brush, leaves and other vegetation at least two feet away from your outdoor air conditioning unit. Free up indoor vents from objects such as blinds or furniture to keep air flowing.

4. Check your seals for leaks

Just as an open door or window lets heated or cooled air out, so can leaks in the seals of your windows, doors and ventilation ducts. Check these areas periodically for breaks in the seal to prevent less efficient cooling and heating and higher utility bills.

5. If it’s broken, get it fixed today

Don’t put off getting your HVAC checked out if something seems wrong; little problems can become major ones very quickly. Some signs of damage include: rattles and squeaks from your unit; warm air delivered from the A/C unit; the air conditioning unit does not switch on even when interior temperature reaches a trigger point; fluid pools under or near your furnace or air conditioning unit.

When life is too busy for HVAC patrol or if your air conditioner is not cooling the air in your home to the level you expect, turn to the professionals at The WireNut. Since 2004, Front Range homeowners have come to count on The WireNut’s excellent products, terrific value and great customer service.

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The Easygoing Guy"s Guide to A/C Maintenance