| This week's sponsor is IBF Conferences. |  | Clean-Tech Investor Summit convenes the "who's-who" of cleantech and is one of the rare times when influential thought leaders gather to discuss critical issues facing the cleantech sector. Save $500 (code CTFIERCE).
|
Today's Top Stories
1. Clean Energy Sacramento a "game changer" for the city
2. NREL dives into methane to fuel study
3. Environmental groups call for 300 years of nuclear review
4. Wisconsin utility reaches $1.2M settlement with EPA
5. NV Energy gets industry accolades for safety Editor's Corner: Annual traditions Also Noted: Spotlight On... Does EPA fracking study go far enough?
Lowes enters home area networking market; Aid for Sandy victims and much more... Customer engagement goes beyond satisfaction
The utility-customer relationship is undergoing a drastic transformation -- the first in decades. Utilities have been plagued almost from their inception by the attitude that customers are just ratepayers. And customers have returned that outlook with minimal engagement or understanding about how utility companies operate and distribute power. Feature NSA secret cyber security testing no longer secret
It's no secret that the nation's electric grid is vulnerable to potentially devastating cyber attacks. It's also no longer a secret that the federal government is targeting utilities to test the security of their grids. Article The Year of Smart Grid Consumer Engagement
Opportunities abound in 2013 for utilities to ramp up their consumer smart grid outreach and education. Since 2012, the opportunity for customer engagement has only increased. Armed with facts and research, the industry can better educate its customers. Feature News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. UES seeks rate increase for reliability improvements
2. NY-BEST grants $11.8M for energy storage research
3. LG joins Pecan Street smart grid research project
| This week's sponsor is SmartGrid Careers. |  | | Market Your Open Smart Grid Career Opportunities to 17K Qualified Smart Grid Professionals! |
| 
Annual traditions
Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? I have.
It's something of a tradition. Every January 1, my husband and I sit down over coffee (me) and tea (him) to talk about our goals for the coming year. We revel in our successes, and discuss what changes need to be made in order to continue or exceed that success. We know that, in order to remain successful, sometimes we must adjust. It's really no different for industries like oil, gas, solar, clean tech, etc. Of course 2013 will bring challenges for all and, in order to succeed, adjustments may be necessary. In the coming days and weeks, I will partake in another tradition and share with you some analyst predictions for what these industries could expect in 2013. On the regulatory front, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is already experiencing change that has shaken up the agency -- the resignation of top regulatory administrator Lisa Jackson. In tomorrow's issue, find out how Jackson's stepping down has impacted the EPA and what the future holds. -- Barb Read more about: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
back to top |
|
Today's Top News 1. Clean Energy Sacramento a "game changer" for the city
Clean Energy Sacramento – the city's vision for creating a more sustainable city and clean technology hub – is being hailed for its success on several fronts. This includes its Energy Savings Opportunity Program, which has conducted energy audits leading to $22 million in commercial projects and a $55 million boost to the local economy. Managed and funded by Ygrene Energy Fund, Clean Energy Sacramento provides 100 percent financing to participants for energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy upgrades. The funds are repaid through a voluntary property tax rather than public funds. According to Ygrene's website, every $100 million invested creates 1,500 new jobs, $250 million in economic stimulus and $25 million in tax revenue. "We're seeing a groundswell of excitement for Clean Energy Sacramento, with property owners committing to upgrade more than one-third of eligible projects -- even before the program launches," said Ygrene President Dan Schaefer. Clean Energy Sacramento strives to be the model of sustainability, clean energy and technology, green jobs, and economic prosperity for cities around the nation – and is a "game changer" for Sacramento. According to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Clean Energy Sacramento is an example that good environmental policy is good economic policy, "creating jobs at every rung, reducing emissions from the built environment and helping our business community to flourish in the new economy." For more:
- visit Ygrene Related Articles:
Legislation to spur PACE of home energy efficiency
PACE clean energy financing enabled in nearly half of US
Octus, Ygrene Energy Fund implement clean energy financing for Sacramento Read more about: Ygrene Energy Fund
back to top |
2. NREL dives into methane to fuel study
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is attempting to develop microbes that convert methane found in natural gas into liquid diesel fuel, using a $4.8 million Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) award. "We'll be leveraging our decades of experience in producing biofuels and lipids, which in the past we've typically done via algae," said Phil Pienkos, NREL's principle investigator on the liquid to diesel project. "Here, we'll be applying it to a brand new feedstock, natural gas, which is recognized as being critically important to the United States." If successful, the approach could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower dependence on foreign oil. Every molecule of methane vented to the atmosphere from natural gas flared or vented from oil wells has the global-warming capacity of 12 molecules of carbon dioxide. If the wasted gas can be turned into a liquid, it can be piped along with the petroleum to refineries where it can be turned into diesel. The University of Washington will genetically modify the microbes. NREL will demonstrate through fermentation the productivity of the microbes, both natural and genetically-modified, as well as extract the lipids from the organisms and analyze the plan's economic potential. UK-based Johnson-Matthey will produce the catalysts that turn the lipids in the methane into fuel. If successful, Illinois-based Lanza Tech, a pioneer in waste-to-fuels technology, will take the bench-scale plan to the commercial level. The team will start with microorganisms that grow naturally on methane, a component of natural gas, and which have a natural ability to make lipids from the methane. The enzymes cannot naturally produce enough lipids to make a project economically feasible so they must be genetically engineered to increase the amount of membrane lipids and get the microorganism to produce non-phosphorous-based lipids that are more readily converted to fuels. The end product would be a fuel intermediate that then could be piped to a refinery for final processing into diesel -- good feedstock for a refinery. For more:
- see this article Related Article:
White House supports biomass research with new funding Read more about: natural gas to diesel, U.S. Department of Energy
back to top |
3. Environmental groups call for 300 years of nuclear review
A collaboration of national and grassroots environmental groups have filed documents with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) claiming that it would be impossible for the NRC to conduct a court-ordered assessment of the environmental implications of long-term storage of spent nuclear reactor fuel in the two years the NRC has targeted for the project. States including Vermont, Massachusetts and New York have also filed comments with the Attorney General saying that the NRC isn't doing enough to address the storage of high-level radioactive waste. The short timeframe provided for environmental review will also not permit post-Fukushima information about U.S. reactors to be fully collected and evaluated, the groups argue. Despite the Court's order to consider impacts associated with the failure to ever establish a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel, the NRC proposed only to consider the impacts associated with failing to secure a repository by the end of this century, according to the groups. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and Gordon Thompson, Executive Director for the Institute for Resource and Security Studies contend that the NRC should "consider the environmental impacts of failing to establish a repository until 2250, requiring approximately 300 years of onsite storage." Plutonium-239 contained in spent nuclear fuel has a half-life of more than 24,000 years. In response to the state filings, NRC spokesperson NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said in an email to the Vermont News that, "The NRC staff is working on an Environmental Impact Statement to address deficiencies identified by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals." For more:
- see the Environmental Impact Statement Related Articles:
Sandia seeks to improve national security, nuclear safety
Global public sentiment still "vehemently anti-nuclear"
DOE shaping next-gen nuclear leaders
DOE research seeks Fukushima takeaways
Huge nuclear increase in China won't surpass U.S. Read more about: Neil Sheehan NRC, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
back to top |
4. Wisconsin utility reaches $1.2M settlement with EPA
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is retiring two coal plants and investing $300 million to research future generation as part of a $1.2 million settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The utility reached the agreement after allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act by neglecting to install modern pollution controls during power plant upgrades dating as far back as 1994. WPS contends that any violations were not intentional, and it believed it was in line with industry standards. "We acted then using what we believed to be the proper process for making the improvements," said Terry Jensky, WPS Vice President of Generation Assets, in a release. "Many utilities across the country followed the same procedures, and they have or are now facing similar action from the EPA." The coal-fired plants in Wausau and Green Bay must be retired by June 1, 2015. WPS must also reinstate its reACT environmental controls along with more restrictive emissions limits. For more:
-see this release Related Articles:
WPS ramps up energy conservation with EnergyHub
NRDC proposes emissions standards for existing generation
Read more about: Energy Conservation
back to top |
5. NV Energy gets industry accolades for safety
The Edison Electric Institute has recognized NV Energy's Fort Churchill Generating Station with its "Safety Achievement Award" as the nation's safest fossil-fueled power plant.  | | The nation's safest fossil-fueled power plant has operated more than 25 years without a lost-time accident. (PRNewsFoto/NV Energy) | The 226 MW natural gas-fueled Fort Churchill plant has been in operation 25 years without a lost-time accident -- the longest safety record in the nation for generating stations of its type. The Fort Churchill plant utilizes two Babcock and Wilcox boilers to produce high pressure steam to drive two General Electric turbine generators. According to NV Energy, in the event of an interruption in natural gas service, this plant can switch to an on-site fuel oil to provide temporary service. "What is especially remarkable about this safety record is that our Fort Churchill Station employees work around the clock engaging in many activities that require strong safety vigilance, and this milestone means that they've done so successfully every day for 25 years," said Michael Yackira, NV Energy president and chief executive officer. For some perspective, 25 years ago Ronald Reagan was president and a gallon of gas sold for less than $1. Over those 25 years, the plant addressed more than 1,500 safety suggestions, proving its seriousness about and commitment to plant safety. Plant personnel have worked approximately two million man-hours without a lost-time accident. The plant's safety record was set during a time of change in the mission of the plant, according to Greg Bushman, Fort Churchill Manager of Production, when Fort Churchill went from being a base-load unit (starting and stopping just three or four times per year) to completing 537 starts since October 2008. In 2011, NV Energy produced 36.9 percent of its energy from company-owned gas-fueled generating units at its Tracy and Fort Churchill power stations in western Nevada. For more:
- get the facts
- see this article Read more about: Michael Yackira, Greg Bushman
back to top |
Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Does EPA fracking study go far enough? In 2011, the EPA took water samples from 37 sites in Northern Pennsylvania where fracking -- or hydraulic fracturing -- takes place. The goal was, in part, to examine the samples for potential contamination from chemicals used in fracking. But some contend that the research doesn't go far enough. Article Quick news from around the Web >Lowes debuts home area networking products. Article
>Cybersecurity issues remain unresolved. Article
>Aid for Sandy victims. Article
>Facebook app use explodes on iPhone. Article > CLEAN?TECH INVESTOR SUMMIT - February 6-7, 2013 - Palm Springs, CA Clean-Tech Investor Summit convenes the “who’s-who” and is one of the rare times when influential thought leaders, such as John McDonald of Chevron and Arun Majumdar of Google.com, gather to discuss critical issues facing the cleantech sector. Save $500 (code CTFIERCE). www.cleantechsummit.com.
| > White paper: Cyber Security and the Energy Sector Utilities face many security challenges today. AT&T and Sierra Wireless are working together to provide strong and proven security technologies enabling utilities with a secure and flexible two-way communications infrastructure to connect and communicate in real time. Download now. > Reach Over 17K Smart Grid Professionals for $249! Market your open Smart Grid career opportunities to over 17,000 qualified Smart Grid candidates. Our career marketing package leverages a powerful combination of e-mail marketing, social media promotion and visibility to over 4,500 targeted unique site visitors every month! www.smartgridcareers.com | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.