WindStream Technologies Inc., a startup manufacturer of small-scale wind turbines, will build a production and development facility in New Albany, Indiana. If all goes well, the company plans to create more than 260 new jobs over the next there years, including assembly and distribution workers and professional staff.

 Windstream manufactures turbines called TurboMills, designed to capture wind energy in urban settings; the new facility will be located in the Purdue Research Park.  Good luck and may God bless this start up company with success in this business venture.

The state has offered the company up to $1.5 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $84,000 in training grants, contingent on job creation; the city will also provide additional funding for facility improvements and equipment purchases.

The World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2008 – the latest edition of the annual IEA flagship publication– is a highly respected and good resource tool to assess society’s challenges posed by worsening oil supply prospects, higher energy prices, and rising emissions of greenhouse gases. The picture presented by this important resource is not pretty for humans and their dependence on fossil fuel.

The WEO-2008 Reference Scenario, which assumes no new government policies, predicts world primary energy demand will grow by 1.6% per year on average between 2006 and 2030 – an increase of 45%. This growth in the demand for energy is slower than projected last year, and is mainly due to the impact of the economic slowdown, prospects for higher energy prices, and some new policy initiatives.

Demand for oil rises from the current 85 million barrels per day to 106 mb/d by 2030 – 10 mb/d less than was projected last year. Demand for coal rises more than any other fuel in absolute terms, accounting for over a third of the increase in energy use.  

However that growth is expected to wane was renewable energy sources come on line.  Modern renewable energy sources are expected to overtake gas to become the second-largest source of electricity sometime soon after 2010.

WEO-2008 also looks oil and gas production. Oil will remain the world’s main source of energy for many years to come, even under the most optimistic of assumptions about the development of alternative technology. But the sources of oil, the cost of producing it and the prices that consumers will have to pay for it are extremely uncertain.

Expanding production in the lowest-cost countries – most of them in OPEC – will be central to meeting the world’s oil needs at reasonable cost.  WEO-2008 also analyses policy options for tackling climate change after 2012, when a new global agreement – to be negotiated at the UN Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen next year – is due to take effect.

The analysis assumes a hybrid policy approach, comprising a plausible combination of cap-and-trade systems, sectoral agreements and national measures. On current trends, energy-related CO2 emissions are set to increase by 45% between 2006 and 2030, reaching 41 Gt.

Three-quarters of the increase arises in China, India and the Middle East, and 97% in non-OECD countries as a whole.

P&G turns to the sun for energy needed for California paper products plant.

Procter & Gamble and solar energy company Sun Edison have teamed up to install a 1.1 megawatt photovoltaic solar system at P&G’s paper products manufacturing plant located in Oxnard, Calif.,.   The solar powered generating system is expected to produce more than 34 million kilowatt hours during its first 20 years of operation. 

 The solar powered electric generating system will produce more than 1.9 million kilowatts of clean energy during its first year of operation.  Sun Edison paid for the entire installation of the system.  In turn, the alternative energy will be purchased by P&G under a long-term utility contract. 

A win-win situation powered by Cincinnati’s own P&G.  Good for them and good for the environment.

The U.S. Energy Department will spend $100 million to train workers to upgrade the electric transmission system.  This effort is because China is ahead of the United States in the development of so-called “smart grid” technologies.  The new worker-training program will be paid for by stimulus money. 

DOE also has a related $44 million program for state public utility commissions to encourage more local smart grid efforts.

A smart grid is an electric distribution system that leverages software and power-line improvements to increase the efficiency of the transmission of power from producer to user and makes it easy for consumers to cut their energy use. 

Energy policymakers have talked for years about the need to upgrade the country’s transmission grid to make it both more reliable and more efficient to cut down energy loss in distribution. That would have the effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions through conservation.

 The smart grid gained new prominence as an issue during the debate over the stimulus package when Obama made the creation of green jobs a central piece of the administration’s efforts to end the recession. Dozens of towns, companies and lobbying firms have registered to lobby on the issue since, seeking some portion of the $4.5 billion in stimulus money for grid improvements.

General Electric, Google, Wal-Mart, Accenture and American Electric Power have all lobbied this year on the smart grid issue, because they sell products that help make a grid “smart,” sell the power or are large users of electricity.

Investing in a smart grid makes great sense for all Americans because utilties can deliver more electric energy to consumers for every ton of coal burned in a boiler.  Just like fuel efficient cars make sense in this day and age, making the electric grid more energy efficient is a great use of Obama Bucks and Kentucky coal!

U.S. EPA has identified 79 proposed surface coal-mining projects in Appalachian states for further, detailed reviews of their pending permits. The extended reviews will be carried out under an enhanced coordination process between EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers developed under an interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on surface coal mining facilitated by the Council on Environmental Quality and signed by the EPA, the Corps, and the Department of Interior. The Corps and EPA will work together during this review process to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act and the protection of this nation’s public health and environment.

In the next 15 days, EPA will be further evaluating the preliminary list of projects slated for further review and transmit a final list to the Corps. After that, issues of concern regarding particular permit applications will be addressed during a 60-day review process triggered when the Corps informs EPA that a particular permit is ready for discussion.

The enhanced coordination process, announced in June 2009, was created to strengthen the environmental review of pending mining applications and to address the backlog of permit decisions that occurred as a result of various challenges, including litigation. This process is one element of the Obama Administration’s commitment to improve the environmental review of permits for surface coal mining projects in Appalachia and look for ways to reduce adverse environmental impacts.

The process will also allow for greater public participation and transparency. Since June, 29 projects have been removed from the list for various reasons, including circumstances where permit applicants have requested that their applications be withdrawn.

The 79 pending permit applications on which EPA focused are for proposed surface coal mining operations in 4 Appalachian states. EPA’s initial review concluded that all of the projects would likely cause water quality impacts requiring additional review under the Clean Water Act. The initial reviews were conducted in light of available project-specific information, the existing environmental condition of the watershed in which the project is proposed to be located, and the nature of environmental impacts predicted to result from construction and operation of the proposed mine.

The list of 79 permits is being made available today on EPA’s Web site at the address below along with additional information about the nature and outcome of the EPA review process. As noted, the list will be available for public review for the next two weeks and then a final list will be published and provided to the Corps of Engineers to begin the next phase of review.

More information on the list of 79 permits:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/mining-screening.html

Keep your eyes on Joule Biotechnologies, Inc.  This biotech company is based upon Helioculture™ technology—a revolutionary process that harnesses sunlight to directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into SolarFuel™ liquid energy.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company hopes to make up to 20,000 gallons per acre of fuel a year by late 2011 or early 2012 at prices competitive with $50 per barrel oil. It concentrates sunlight in a solar converter, directing it and carbon dioxide to engineered micro organisms to make fuel similar to ethanol.

Because the microorganisms absorb CO₂, the main greenhouse gas, to make ethanol, the fuel may eventually play a role in efforts to reduce this contaminants level in the atmosphere.  If so, the company should be able to generate carbon credits from making the bio-fuel.  All of which would help reduce global warming and should help keep the cost of producing the fuel competitive with oil

According to the company, this eco-friendly, direct-to-fuel conversion requires no agricultural land or fresh water, and leverages a highly scalable system capable of producing more than 20,000 gallons of renewable ethanol or hydrocarbons per acre annually.  —far eclipsing productivity levels of current alternatives while rivaling the costs of fossil fuels.

Such technological solutions to bio-fuels, global warming, and bio-engineering is just what America needs in this century.  Let’s cheer their efforts and praise their successes to do good and do well in America!

U.S. scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study released today.  About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by U.S. EPA. More than two-thirds of the fish exceeded the U.S. EPA level of concern for fish-eating mammals.

Some of the highest levels of mercury in fish were found in the tea-colored or “blackwater” streams in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana — areas associated with relatively undeveloped forested watersheds containing abundant wetlands compared to the rest of the country.

High levels of mercury in fish also were found in relatively undeveloped watersheds in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest. Elevated levels are noted in areas of the Western United States affected by mining. Complete findings of the USGS report, as well as additional detailed studies in selected streams, are available online.

For a national listing of fish advisories from U.S. EPA, click here.

Mercury, a neurotoxin, is one of the most serious contaminants threatening our nation’s waters. The main source of mercury to natural waters is mercury that is emitted to the atmosphere and deposited onto watersheds by precipitation. However, atmospheric mercury alone does not explain contamination in fish in our nation’s streams.

Naturally occurring watershed features, like wetlands and forests, can enhance the conversion of mercury to the toxic form, methylmercury. Methylmercury is readily taken up by aquatic organisms, resulting in contamination in fish.  USGS studied mercury contamination in fish, bed sediment and water from 291 streams across the nation, sampled from 1998 to 2005.

Atmospheric mercury is the main source to most of these streams — coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions in the United States — but 59 of the streams also were potentially affected by gold and mercury mining. Since USGS studies targeted specific sites and fish species, the findings may not be representative of mercury levels in all types of freshwater environments across the United States.

All 50 states have mercury monitoring programs, and 48 states issued fish-consumption advisories for mercury in 2006, the most recent year of national-scale reporting to the EPA. The EPA regulates mercury emissions to air, land and water. In February 2009, the EPA announced that it intends to control air emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants by issuing a rule under the Clean Air Act.

We are going to concentrate on energy conservation in the coming months for this blog.  One of the biggest energy hogs in a home is the hot water heater.  Everyone who has a teenager is well aware of the electric bills related to heating water for showers.  Thus, we are happy to announce that the new integrated air-source HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater from Rheem Water Heating offers an industry-leading Energy Factor (EF) of 2.0, or more than twice the energy efficiency of a standard electric storage water heater.

 The energy-saving design will help a family using an electric hot water heater to reduce its carbon footprint by nearly two tons annually. In addition, the new water heater qualifies for a federal tax credit as well as many state and utility rebates and incentives.

 Intended for residential applications, both new construction and drop-in replacement of existing water heaters, the unit has a storage capacity of 50 gallons and meets the qualifications for an ENERGY STAR listing. Measuring only 21 inches in diameter and 75.5 inches tall, the new HP-50 offers a slimmer, more portable profile that makes installation in spaces with restricted access — including attics and basement mechanical rooms — much easier.    

In addition to the 2.0 EF, the new eco-friendly Heat Pump Water Heater meets three other ENERGY STAR criteria: 1) a first-hour rating greater than 50 gallons per hour; 2) a six-year warranty on the storage tank, all components and parts; and 3) compliance with Underwriters Laboratories standard UL1995.

 Instead of heating stored water directly with a conventional electric element — or with a burner, as in the case of a gas unit — a heat pump water heater transfers available heat from the ambient air, intensifies the heat and transfers the heat into the water — a far more cost- and energy-efficient process.  Air-source heat pump water heaters perform best in climates with average, year-round temperatures above 40 degrees F.

 The new Rheem Heat Pump Water Heater offers three separate modes of operation that permit the unit to be installed in areas not in frequent use in a home.

•  Mode 1 — Energy Saver: The most energy efficient setting is the “heat pump only” mode, which works by extracting warmth from the surrounding air, concentrating the heat and delivering it to the water. This mode provides an industry-leading 2.0 EF and the equivalent first-hour delivery performance of a standard 50-gallon electric water heater.
• Mode 2 — Normal: When the peak hot water demands are very high, using the combination “heat pump/electric elements” mode is the best choice. In the dual mode, it still can achieve a remarkable 1.5 EF and a first-hour delivery performance that exceeds a standard 65-gallon electric water heater.
• Mode 3 — Electric Heat Only: A temporary “electric heat only” setting is available to ensure hot water availability without operating the heat pump. The HP-50 will revert back to its previous setting (Energy Saver or Normal) after two weeks, if not reset by the user.

The Rheem HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater is scheduled to ship in September 2009.  For more information, please visit http://www.rheemhpwh.com.

Detroit Edison has issued two Requests for Proposal (RFPs) that will add a significant amount of Michigan-based renewable power to the company’s energy portfolio over the next two years.  The two RFPs will help Detroit Edison meet renewable energy provisions contained in the “Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act,” a comprehensive energy reform package approved last year that requires Michigan’s electric utilities to serve 10 percent of their retail sales from renewable energy resources by 2015.

The first RFP seeks potential partners for the development of a Michigan-based wind farm (or farms) capable of producing up to 75 MW of new wind power. The facilities must be operational by Dec. 31, 2011. Upon completion of the project (or projects), Detroit Edison would take ownership of the facilities, and would receive 100 percent of the wind energy and renewable energy credits. Responses to this RFP are due by Nov. 2, 2009.

The second RFP seeks long-term agreements for the purchase of capacity, energy and renewable energy credits from approximately 106 MW of renewable energy resources. Detroit Edison expects to sign multiple 20-year long power purchase agreements for qualifying Michigan-based energy produced from resources such as wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass. Responses to this RFP are due by Oct. 23, 2009.

Detailed bid documents for both RFPs are available on the PowerAdvocate bid event platform. Potential bidders must be registered with PowerAdvocate to access the bid documents; the registration site is www.poweradvocate.com.

Detroit Edison expects to add more than 1,200 MW of renewable energy by 2015 to meet the state’s renewable energy goals. The company plans to own facilities to meet up to half of that capacity and contract with third-party producers for the rest. Detroit Edison has acquired more than 70,000 acres of land easements in Michigan’s Thumb area as sites for wind farms and other related infrastructure.

Detroit Edison is an investor-owned electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan.  Hello Frankfort, what is going on in the Commonwealth of KY to promote clean renewable energy?

Ford is increasing North American production in the third and fourth quarters to respond to growing demand for new Ford products and to ensure dealers are well stocked with fuel-efficient vehicles eligible for the “Cash for Clunkers” program.

Ford is increasing third quarter production by another 10,000 units to 495,000 units primarily to build additional Escape small utility vehicles and Focus small cars, the two most popular Ford vehicles under the federal government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. Ford’s planned third quarter production is now 18 percent above third quarter 2008 production levels.

Ford also announced plans to produce 570,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, 33 percent higher than year-ago levels and 15 percent above the third quarter production plan. The increase represents higher production across a range of cars, crossovers and trucks.