QUICK NEWS, 12-1: ALL ABOUT DISTRIBUTED NEW ENERGY; IOWA’S WIND LIFELINE; NRG + SUNPOWER = 250 MW PV PLANT; GEOTHERMAL GOES TO COLLEGE

ALL ABOUT DISTRIBUTED NEW ENERGY
Renewable Distributed Energy Generation; Distributed Solar Photovoltaics and Small Wind Power: Demand Drivers and Barriers, Technology Issues, Competitive Landscape, and Global Market Forecasts
Sonja Berdahl and Clint Wheelock, 4Q 2010 (Pike Research)

"…Renewable distributed energy generation (RDEG) is actually a subset of the larger market for renewable energy generation and another market for distributed – or onsite –generation, which includes both conventional and renewable fuel sources. Since the first centralized power station came online in 1882 (Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station), centralized power plants have attracted capital and achieved efficiencies far greater than possible with small systems. Access to affordable electricity drove the economic engine of the industrial revolution. Distributed generation was reserved for regions that did not have a developed energy infrastructure…

"Fast forward about 100 years…concerns are very different. A seemingly insatiable demand for electricity and a growing concern for the environment…[have created] a “new” market for cleaner, more secure energy…[T]he emergence of the renewable energy market – especially the RDEG market – [is] an energy evolution…but penetration levels for all renewable—especially distributed—are very low…[T]he RDEG market is dominated by residential and commercial grid-connected photovoltaics (PV) systems…[It] is concentrated in regions with favorable financial incentives, such as premium feed-in tariffs (FIT), for PV…FITs [may] include small wind systems…[but many] do not…"

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"In 2010 and through the forecast period of this report (2010-2015), financial incentives are the key drivers for the RDEG market…The global electric power industry is evolving from a financial and engineering model that relies on large centralized power plants owned by the utilities to one that is more diverse – both in sources of generation and ownership of the generation assets…Overall, RDEG comprises a very small part of the current global electric power generation capacity – just 0.2% – but it has the potential to play a much larger role…Europe and the United States are the largest markets…China and India are huge potential markets…

"The Three Primary Growth Drivers for RDEG…[are] Adequate sun and/or wind resources…Financial incentives – preferably a premium feed-in tariff…High electricity prices…Renewable portfolio standards and the accompanying financial incentives are the most import drivers in the development of the RDEG market…The locations of the most robust markets for RDEG are very similar to the locations of the global PV markets because PV is the dominant RDEG technology…Utilities and independent power producers (IPPs) are leasing commercial and industrial rooftops across urban areas to create “virtual” power plants…Renewable energy policies and the global economy will determine how fast the RDEG market will grow…"

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"…In the U.S., California currently commands 60-70% of the market for PV…Some key markets in Europe – notably Greece, Spain, the Czech Republic and Italy…[are] struggling economies [and] present large uncertainty…The United States and the United Kingdom are the largest markets for distributed wind systems. Hybrid PV/wind systems are common in these markets for both grid-connected and off-grid applications. One off-grid application that has the potential to be a substantial market for RDEG is providing power to remote telecommunications base stations in developing regions of Africa, China, India and the Middle East. The majority of the telecommunications systems use some type of wind/PV/battery hybrid generation system…

"…Emerging Trends in RDEG [are]…Growing awareness…Leasing programs…Utility ownership…Third-party ownership…Community ownership…[V]iewed as a vehicle for economic development…Solar PV module prices dropped by more than 50% in 2008/2009…[and] are expected to fall again…"


IOWA’S WIND LIFELINE
New Supply Chain Study Shows Wind Energy Produces More Jobs and Business Growth for Iowa
November 30, 2010 (Environmental Law & Policy Center)

"The Environmental Law and Policy Center has released a new study of Iowa’s wind energy supply chain. According to [The Wind Energy Supply Chain in Iowa], Iowa’s wind power supply chain comprises 80 Iowa companies with a total of over 2,300 employees in manufacturing alone. The state ranks second nationally in total wind energy generation. With local manufacturers building everything from huge turbine blades to small electrical components, and service firms providing maintenance, legal, marketing and other support to the industry, wind power means business for Iowa…

"The report states that a commitment to business development combined with tax incentives, a skilled workforce and a central location have helped make Iowa a leader in the wind industry."

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"The report highlights supply chain companies across the state, from locally owned small businesses to seven international manufacturing companies. In addition to the 80 existing supply chain companies, the study identified more than 30 additional Iowa companies that could supply the wind industry if demand increased.

"The report notes that strong regulatory and tax policies are key to growing any industry, and the wind industry is no exception. The proposed strong federal renewable energy standard would help grow Iowa’s economy by increasing Iowa’s export opportunities for both wind power and manufactured wind turbine components and professional services."


NRG + SUNPOWER = 250 MW PV PLANT
NRG, SunPower Team for 250 Megawatts: More on the Way; Big projects are becoming the face of solar
Michael Kanellos, November 30, 2010 (Greentech Media)

"…NRG Energy…solar subsidiary, NRG Solar, will become the owner of the California Valley Solar Ranch PV park being developed by SunPower. The 250-megawatt plant--the biggest one ever developed by SunPower--will begin construction in the second half of next year and start producing at least some power by the end of 2011. The bulk of the plant will come on line in 2012 and 2013.

"Projects like this are expected to be one of the drivers for the U.S. and global solar industry. Right now, utility scale solar parks in the U.S. are capable of generating 250 megawatts…approximately the same amount of solar power installed in one of the slowest months ever (February 2010) for the German solar industry."

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"But contracts have been signed to build nearly five gigawatts worth of utility scale PV parks between now and 2015 in the U.S. The declining price of solar modules is also making these large module parks more attractive than solar thermal parks. Even if only half of those projects ever see the light of day, it would represent a 10 fold increase in the amount of utility scale solar fields in the U.S. over a five year period…"

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"Late last month, NRG announced it would invest $300 million into Brightsource Energy's Ivanpah power plant. Unlike Valley Solar Ranch (Dressing), Ivanpah is a solar thermal plant. Still, tax credits shine down on both projects. NRG also owns the 21 megawatt photovoltaic facility in Blythe, California, currently the state's largest.

"SunPower, along with First Solar Sempra Generation and SunEdison, have been some of the leaders in the U.S. when it comes to large-scale PV projects…[U]tility deals are particularly important because they can be used to soak up production of solar modules…In September, Sharp purchased Recurrent Energy for $305 million. Iberdrola, juwi and several Chinese manufacturers also want to expand their presence in the U.S. utility market…[A]ll are scrambling to find development partners."


GEOTHERMAL GOES TO COLLEGE
Geothermal system cuts costs for SU
November 29, 2010 (Delmarva Now!)

"Salisbury University is using the Earth's natural thermal energy to heat and cool its residence halls. In the process, students are engaged in a true "living-learning" experience -- and the campus is saving money.

"As part of a $6 million renovation for the 46-year-old Manokin Residence Hall, SU recently installed its first geothermal heating and cooling system. Among those who reside in the facility are first-year students in a Living-Learning Community dedicated to sustainability. Dubbed the "Green Floor," they also take classes there."

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"Among the first campuses in the University System of Maryland to install geothermal, SU designed the system with Easton-based Gipe Associates. Project manager Adam Kegan recently taught students about the way it functions.

"The process is relatively simple: 90 wells were drilled 300 feet below the surface of the Holloway Hall parking lot. They were connected by heat exchangers to a geothermal pump system inside Manokin. In the summer, heat is sent into the ground to cool the facility, and in the winter, it's drawn from the ground for warmth…"

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"When SU's Pocomoke Hall was renovated last fall -- the first of the four traditional buildings to be updated -- planners kept its relatively new HVAC system. Since both facilities are mirror images at 21,735 square feet, that decision set up the perfect experiment…

"In just the first month, SU saved $2,046.02, a 60 percent reduction in energy costs in Manokin, as compared to Pocomoke, due mainly to reduced electricity costs. The electricity is only used to collect and deliver heat, not to produce it. Also eliminated is the expense of natural gas to heat hot water…"