QUICK NEWS, August 8: WHERE CLIMATE CHANGE IS; WIND BOUNCES BACK; 9 REASONS FOR SUN; SMART GRID CAN EASE HEAT

WHERE CLIMATE CHANGE IS
In Your Backyard: Climate Change Will Worsen Extreme Heat, Flood and Drought Frequency, Air Pollution and Infectious Disease Threats; State-by-state analysis unveiled in new NRDC web tool
August 3, 2011 (Natural Resources Defense Council)

"Climate change is expected to lead to worsening drought conditions and greater heat extremes, increased threats of Dengue Fever, drought, floods, air pollution and myriad health problems, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

"A new web tool unveiled by NRDC lets users read how their state might be impacted by climate change…[U]sers can see local data and maps detailing extreme weather patterns throughout the country, see local climate change vulnerabilities and learn about health problems in their own communities that are connected to climate change."

click thru for all the interactive maps

"Based on an analysis of data gathered from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other resources…the NRDC web tool compares temperature data in each state from 2000 through 2009 to local temperatures from 1961 to 1990. Users can see that residents of the western United States experienced more days of extreme heat than in previous decades and frequent drought conditions from 2000 through 2009.

"Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease, while drought can lead to lower crop yields and contaminated drinking water. Many communities do not have plans in place to address these problems…The tool also highlights areas with unhealthy air quality…in 41 percent of states (21 of 51) …Exposure to increased smog, pollen pollution, and wildfire smoke puts a wide range of people at risk…But people with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory diseases face the most serious threats…"


WIND BOUNCES BACK
Wind rebounds in 2Q, but continued growth depends on consistent tax policy;
Iowa hits 20 percent wind power
August 4, 2011 (American Wind Energy Association)

"U.S. wind energy continued to rebound in the second quarter, with 2,151 megawatts (MW) of electrical generating capacity installed in the first half of 2011 versus 1,250 MW during the same time in 2010, up 72 percent.

"However, analysts at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) cautioned that without stable policy such as an extension of the Production Tax Credit, set to expire in 2012, the industry's recovery will stall…[L]ayoffs and even bankruptcies in American manufacturing plants and the supply chain…will only worsen if Congress…[allows the Production Tax Credit] to expire…"

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"The fast-growing wind sector averaged 3.2 percent of the nation's electricity over the strong wind months between January and April 2011…For now, wind energy remains ahead of schedule to generate 20 percent of America's electricity by 2030…7,354 MW of new capacity was under construction by July 1, more than at any time since the third quarter of 2008…[and] the comparative stability in U.S. tax policy has helped to steadily increase the level of content that's made in America…from 25 percent just a few years ago to… 60 percent domestic content according to a July 2011 DOE report…

"The U.S. industry during the second quarter installed 1,033 megawatts (MW) of electrical generating capacity versus 709 MW during the same period last year, up 46 percent…California installed the most...Over 2,500 MW of new construction were started during the second quarter, almost three times more new construction than began during the first quarter…Iowa wind has reached the milestone of generating 20 percent of the state's electricity from January to April 2011…The U.S. wind industry now totals 42,432 MW of cumulative wind capacity…"


9 REASONS FOR SUN
Hidden Cost Savings: The Top 9 Public Benefits Of Installing Solar Power
Jessica Lillian, 2 August 2011 (Solar Industry)

"Even as the costs of solar power continue to decline, a widespread perception from the public and many policymakers that solar is "too expensive" remains…"em>[Solar Power Generation in the U.S.: Too expensive or a bargain?] challenges this assumption…The results confirm several key widespread public benefits of solar power and could provide the industry with a valuable weapon in the public-perception fight…

"…[I]n all, solar PV installations deliver $0.15/kWh to $0.40/kWh to ratepayers and taxpayers…[I]ncentives can be viewed as a logical means of transferring value from the public - which is enjoying solar's $0.15/kWh to $0.40/kWh benefits - to those who invested in the solar plants creating those benefits…"

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"What are these benefits, exactly?...[1] Savings on wholesale energy ($0.06-$0.11/kWh, of the total $0.15/kWh-$0.40/kWh)…[2] Reduction of demand-response expenses ($0.00-$0.05/kWh)…[3] Savings on energy losses within the distribution system ($0.00-$0.01/kWh)…[4] Reduced need for feeder equipment upgrades ($0.00-$0.03/kWh)…

"…[5] Hedge against fuel-price spikes ($0.02-$0.03/kWh)…[6] Grid security aid ($0.03-$0.06/kWh)…[7] Health-related and environmental gains ($0.03-$0.06/kWh)…[8] Long-term taxpayer benefits from reduced fuel-price volatility ($0.03-$0.04/kWh)…[9] Economic boost…"


SMART GRID CAN EASE HEAT
Five Ways a Smarter Grid Helps in a Heat Wave
August 3, 2011 (GE Reports)

"With record-setting heat roiling the U.S. this summer…[spiking] electricity demand can overwhelm ‘the grid’…[but it] is getting better at handling demand peaks that might otherwise bring blackouts and brownouts…

"Here are five ways a smarter grid can help in a heat wave…[1] Better Small Wind and Solar Integration… A smart grid helps incorporate that spare power…partially displacing the need for conventionally generated power…[and solar peaks] coincide with high temperatures…"

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"…[2] Increased Energy storage… storage capacity could grow significantly…[3] Demand Response…the consumer decides to use less power when demand is high (and so are prices), and more power when the price is lower…

"…[4] Smart metering…[with] smart thermostats and home energy displays, savings can jump to an average of 25 percent…[5] Smart appliances… the washer may display a message that reads, 'Power rates are high, are you sure you want to wash this load right now?'…"