MORE NEWS, 4-17 (UTILITY BUILDS NEW ENERGY WHERE THE RES IS; SUN ILLUMINATES BOOKS; EV, PHEV PLANS)

UTILITY BUILDS NEW ENERGY WHERE THE RES IS
Duke Energy harnesses winds of the West
Bruce Henderson, April 16, 2009 (Charlotte Observer)

"… Duke Energy works to meet North Carolina's recent [Renewable Electricity Standard, RES, while]… Duke Energy Generation Services develops, owns and operates power plants for large users such as utilities, municipalities and industries in 18 states…[and is] harnessing the winds of the West.

"Two years after its first wind acquisition, Duke operates 500 megawatts. Its customers include Wal-Mart's Texas operations. It's developing up to 5,000 megawatts more – the capacity of more than four of Duke's nuclear reactors – in a dozen states…"

It's the way all utilities will go in the next 2 decades. (click to enlarge)

"Drawing power from the wind, sun, waves or organic wastes means going to the resource. While the N.C. coast and mountains show some promise, neither can match the wind belt stretching from Texas to the Dakotas.

"The energy potential out West is so strong that Duke has invested $1 billion in western wind projects, and hopes to grow that investment to $3 billion by 2013…

"Duke has its eye on another renewable fuel that North Carolina has in abundance – the farm and forest wastes called biomass. Last year Duke and Areva, a multinational company best known for nuclear power, launched a joint biopower venture called Adage...But wind dominates…Walls are being rebuilt for a control center where technicians will monitor wind data around the clock…Wind power accounted for 42 percent of the nation's new electric generation in 2008…"

It's the way all utilities will go in the next 2 decades. (click to enlarge)

"By requiring utilities to sell power made from renewable sources, [Renewable Electricity Standards, RESs,] create new markets for those energy sectors. Federal tax credits and favorable depreciation rules also help.

"If Congress sets the nation's first limits on carbon dioxide emissions…wind assets will look even better compared to fossil-fueled plants that produce the greenhouse gas…Tough obstacles stand in the way of expanding the sector. The biggest of those: a lack of transmission lines to connect the often-remote places where the wind blows hardest to energy-hungry cities…"


SUN ILLUMINATES BOOKS
Wilton Library installs solar energy system
Janel Crystal, April 16, 2009 (Wilton Bulletin)

"Wilton Library announces the first installation of the new modular Solar StationTM on the roof of the library. The Solar Station from NXGSolar in Norwalk, is a pre-built solar energy module that streamlines the process of installing solar panels. The library hopes to expand by adding additional modules as funds for the project are raised…

"The roof of the library can accommodate 200 Solar Station modules, which could generate 90% of the library’s annual electricity needs and save the library $100,000 per year in energy costs."

click to enlarge

"Visitors to the library can learn more about the solar panels via a touch-screen kiosk in the library entry, which guides visitors through the benefits of solar with links to the Live Data and an overview of the Solar Station. The benefits of solar are compelling…

"The Solar Station is a 350-watt unit, comprising two solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, two inverters, and all the wiring needed to connect the system to the building’s power system. One unit can generate enough energy to power 40 energy-efficient light bulbs. Several unique features make the Solar Station a viable solar energy solution for the library:

"…The modular design… means the project can be specified, designed, and implemented faster than standard solar installations. Designed for roof or ground mounts, there is no special wiring…The module comes pre-assembled and once it is connected, additional units can be attached…"

click to enlarge

"There is no need to penetrate or modify the roof. The Solar Station comes with a unique ballast system…An aluminum tank is filled with biodegradable liquid and the weight anchors the module…This feature not only saves time and money in installation, but makes it easy to accommodate a roof repair or a move in location.

"…The amount of electricity being generated at any time of day can be monitored via the Web or at the kiosk in the library. Historic data can be tracked as well as the specific environmental benefits, or equivalents."


EV, PHEV PLANS
Auto industry on plug-in hybrids and electric cars
April 15, 2009 (AP)

"Several automakers are developing plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars that could help meet President Barack Obama's goal of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015….A look at the work by some auto manufacturers:

"…General Motors is set to produce the Chevrolet Volt, an extended range electric plug-in, in late 2010 in limited numbers. The Volt is the centerpiece of GM's attempt to take the lead in electric vehicles…[Its] lithium-ion battery and electric motor…can take the car 40 miles on a single charge. A gasoline engine will… extend the Volt's range…[T]he price] is expected to be $30,000 to $40,000."

GM's Chevy Volt(click to enlarge)

"… Toyota will start global delivery of 500 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids powered by lithium-ion batteries later this year…150 will go to U.S. lease and fleet customers…[It] is expected to operate in a similar fashion to the current Prius model by using both gasoline and electricity…Toyota is also developing the FT-EV, an all-electric vehicle that is expected to have a range of 50 miles and be on U.S. roads by 2012.

"… Chrysler has shown off five different electric-drive vehicles developed by its high-tech ENVI unit and said it plans to start selling one of the five models [a Dodge sports car, a Jeep Wrangler and Patriot, a Chrysler minivan, and a concept version of an electric-powered sedan] next year … The automaker is testing the vehicles simultaneously and recently announced that Massachusetts-based A123Systems will supply the lithium-ion batteries for the company's extended range gas-electric cars and its all-electric cars."

Tesla(click to enlarge)

"… Ford is planning to produce a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle beginning in 2012 and has been testing a fleet of vehicles through partnerships with several utilities…[Ford] intends to bring a battery-electric van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small battery-electric sedan developed with Magna International by 2011 and a plug-in electric car by 2012… Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the battery system for their first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

"…Nissan has outlined plans to mass-market electric vehicles by 2012, and to make the cars available on a wide scale in Israel and Denmark in 2011. Nissan's all-electric car will be sold in late 2010 and have 100 miles of pure battery range…[With] states and utilities [Nissan is promoting and developing]…charging networks."

(click to enlarge)

"… Tesla is selling the Roadster, an electric sports car which starts at $109,000 and can travel 244 miles on a 3.5-hour charge. [Tesla is also] developing the all-electric Model S sedan, which is expected to sell for $60,000 by mid-2011.

"…[Fisker Automotive] is releasing its $87,900 Karma plug-in luxury sports sedan, a four-seater with solar panels, in October. The plug-in can drive gas-free for 50 miles. Fisker is also developing the Karma S, a convertible expected in 2011."