QUICK NEWS, May 5: NEW ENERGY IS NOW THE BEST BUY; PLUG-IN VEHICLES SO FAR AND FARTHER ON; COSTS AND BENEFITS OF NET ZERO ENERGY BLDGS

NEW ENERGY IS NOW THE BEST BUY Link Between Electricity Prices & Renewable Energy Completely Warped In Forbes Article

Zachary Shahan, May 1, 2014 (Clean Technica)

“Christine Harbin Hanson, the Federal Affairs Manager for Americans for Prosperity, recently [wrote incorrectly] that Renewable Portfolio Standards cost citizens a great deal and [wind and solar are significantly more expensive than traditional energy but the Department of Energy’s electricity cost graph shows] onshore wind power has a minimum LCOE of 5¢/kWh and a median of 6¢/kWh. That’s the lowest median LCOE in the United States of any electricity source other than natural gas, which is at 5¢/kWh…[R]ooftop solar panels compete with retail electricity not wholesale electricity…[and] is often cheaper than the norm…[A] Minnesota judge ruled that a solar power project should be chosen over several natural gas projects because it offered ratepayers a better deal…In Austin, a new solar power plant is coming in at under 5¢/kWh…” click here for more

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PLUG-IN VEHICLES SO FAR AND FARTHER ON Global Electric Vehicle Adoption Trends

April 30, 2014 (Smart Grid Insights)

“…[E]lectric vehicles (EVs) represent one of the most promising technologies for reducing oil use and cutting emissions…[but] this market is still in the nascent stage and faces many challenges, particularly with technology integration, optimization and scalability…Zpryme’s Global Electric Vehicle Adoption Trends report [found the] worldwide electric vehicle market is forecasted to grow from just over 700,000 vehicles in 2014 to more than 12 million vehicles in 2021. That means an average annual grow rate of 66%...The main challenges to a double-digit percentage penetration of EVs in the automobile market include government policies, EV purchase cost and total cost of ownership, range anxiety, and range limitations…[Policies should] include enabling EV companies to sell directly to consumers, and further catalyzing and facilitating private-public coordination and communication to address the EV challenges…[Manufacturers should develop] the EV financing market which includes the battery and resale markets, and [identify] sustainable EV charging infrastructure business models…” click here for more

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COSTS AND BENEFITS OF NET ZERO ENERGY BLDGS Study examines present-day policies and fiscal realities of zero energy, Living Buildings in Washington, DC

April 30, 2014 (RealEstateRama)

“…[A recent study detailed how the District of Columbia], already home to more green buildings per capita than other large cities, can best craft policy and create incentives to build zero energy, zero water and Living Buildings…[ Net Zero and Living Building Financial Study: A Cost Comparison Report for the Buildings in the District of Columbia] conceptually transformed three LEED v3 Platinum designed buildings…[It] focused on three commonly developed building types in the District: office new construction, multifamily new construction and office renovation…[Among other important findings, it concluded that for] a 1 percent to 3 percent added initial cost of construction, new developments in the district could save up to 60 percent of their energy consumption…[and the] return on investment for deep energy efficiency is 6 percent to 12 percent and rises to 33 percent to 36 percent when modeled for net zero energy using solar power…” click here for more

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