QUICK NEWS, May 7: GOVT STUDY FINDS NO RATE BUMP WITH RENEWABLES STANDARD; EU UTILITIES LOOK TO OFFSHORE WIND; LOUISIANA’S SUN SHINING

GOVT STUDY FINDS NO RATE BUMP WITH RENEWABLES STANDARD EIA: Clean Energy Standard Would Not Increase Electric Rates

Laura DiMugno, 4 May 2012 (Renew Grid)

“A new analysis released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has found that, contrary to popular belief, the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, introduced in March by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., would not raise electricity rates, at least in the first 10 years following its enactment.

“Under Bingaman's proposal, beginning in 2015, large retail utilities - excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii - would be required to obtain 24% of the electricity they sell through clean energy sources, with the mandate increasing by 3% each year through 2035.”

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“The bill does not limit the mandate to renewables like wind and solar, but also includes…low-emissions and clean energy resources such as renewable biomass, natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power or qualified waste-to-energy, as well as ‘clean’ coal with carbon-capture technology…According to the EIA report, because the proposal includes a variety of energy sources…it would lead to an increase in all of these sources of generation.

“Wind power would benefit substantially - in fact, along with biomass, the most of any other resource…[U]nder a clean energy standard (CES), U.S. installed wind energy capacity would more than double from 39 GW in 2010 (48.6 GW currently) to 92 GW in 2035…[and] wind energy production would increase from 95 TWh in 2010 to 268 TWh by 2035 under the CES…The EIA also forecasts that the legislation would lead to improved industrial efficiency and reduce the power sector's greenhouse-gas emissions by 20% in 2025 and by 45% in 2035.” EU UTILITIES LOOK TO OFFSHORE WIND Utilities boost investments in offshore wind power; Demand for offshore wind aided by rising fossil-fuel prices

Sara Sjolin, May 2, 2012 (MarketWatch)

“Electricity to power European televisions and toasters will increasingly come from energy generated at sea as utility companies shore up offshore wind-energy capacity amid rising fossil-fuel prices and political pressure.

“Over the past three years, yearly installed capacity from offshore wind turbines has more than doubled in Europe to 866 megawatts in 2011, exceeding growth rates for its onshore counterpart, according to the European Wind Energy Association, or EWEA…New onshore installations rose only 10%...[and] new installed capacity at sea accounted for 10% of the total new installations in the European Union, up from 5% in 2008…”

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“The surging demand for offshore wind farms is set to continue, industry experts say, as political goals to reduce carbon emissions and geopolitical concerns in fossil-fuel-producing countries increase demand for clean alternative energy…[Offshore wind] will count for 8% of the global market in 2016…In 2011 offshore wind accounted for 2.5% of the global wind-energy market…

“Utility firms have also kick-started projects offshore. In 2011, 80% of installed offshore capacity was developed by utilities, with DONG Energy, Vattenfall and E.ON AG (DE:EOAN) the biggest players…The goal is to reach an energy mix where 85% of the electricity is generated from renewable energy by 2040 to reduce dependency on fossil fuels…[T]he European Union has a binding target of reducing carbon emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020…[and] is looking at scaling up the target to a 30% reduction by 2030…”

LOUISIANA’S SUN SHINING Louisiana's Solar Market Beginning To Bloom, Boosting Economy

4 May 2012 (Solar Industry)

“Louisiana is currently home to approximately 1,832 solar PV installations totaling nearly 11 MW of installed capacity, according to a new report from the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association (GSREIA).

“Installation figures increased by 77% from 2010 - with more than 1,000 new units added, and installed capacity more than tripled. Jobs also more than tripled from 2010; in 2011, the industry provided full-time employment to nearly 800 individuals.”

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“If these trends continue, Louisiana could reach more than 2,500 full-time solar jobs in the coming years, GSREIA says, citing research from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“…Initial reports show that solar installations and capacity increased dramatically from previous years, signaling success of the state's renewable energy incentives and prompting increased revenue and job growth…”