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ERCOT doubling down on wind
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has set a new record on the main Texas grid, reaching more than 10,000 MW of wind -- the most ever for a U.S. power system, and the equivalent of powering more than five million average homes. Article
Solar by subscription
Xcel Energy has filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission a program that would offer greater solar energy choices to customers. The proposal says that Xcel would purchase 50 MW of electricity from a new independent, large-scale solar facility to which customers would subscribe at a percentage and length of time they choose to meet their particular solar energy needs. Article
Declines in wind overshadowing solar records
Policy uncertainty is having a negative impact on the U.S. clean energy sector, with 2013 investment down 9 percent to $36.7 billion from 2012, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Wind has been particularly affected. Article
Big response to Duke Energy NC solar RFP
The response to Duke Energy's recent request for proposals (RFP) for 300 MW of new solar energy capacity in its Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories has been overwhelming. Duke has received bids for nearly three times the capacity it is seeking. Article
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Today's Top News 1. FPL recognized for clean fleet
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has bestowed Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) with its 2014 Transportation Efficiency Innovations Award for FPL's Clean Fleet and Consumer Education Program.  | | Credit: JM Rosenfeld/Wikimedia Commons | With its industry-leading deployment of fuel-efficient vehicle technology -- an important part of the utility's overall efforts to provide affordable, clean, reliable electric service to its 4.7 million customers -- FPL is widely recognized for lowering emissions with its next-generation clean power plants. They have extended this commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants through its clean vehicles fleet and consumer education program. FPL operates one of the largest clean "green" fleets in the nation with approximately 1,750 biodiesel-powered vehicles and 550 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. In 2013 alone, FPL's clean-vehicle fleet saved 682,000 gallons of petroleum fuel and prevented more than 6,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. As the largest user of biodiesel in Florida, FPL uses approximately 2 million gallons annually to power its trucks in lieu of traditional petroleum-based fuels. In 2006, FPL became the first utility in the nation to place a medium-duty hybrid-electric bucket truck in service. Its current fleet includes both electric and hybrid-electric trucks that use up to 60 percent less fuel and reduce exhaust emissions up to 90 percent. In addition to using cleaner fuels, FPL leverages advanced technology to help reduce the overall fuel consumption of its vehicles. For example, the company implemented a computer-based system to monitor and reduce the amount of time its vehicles are idling in order to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions. For more:
- see this report Related Article:
FPL making great strides in fuel efficiency Read more about: Florida Power and Light
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2. Ohio squashing efficiency and renewables standards
Last week, Ohio Senator Troy Balderson (R-Zainesville) introduced SB 310, which would indefinitely freeze Ohio's efficiency and renewables standards (EERS) at 2014 levels or 2.5 percent for renewable energy and 4.2 percent for energy efficiency -- although utilities with binding contracts can continue those efforts.  | | Ohio Statehouse. Credit: Alexander Smith/Wikimedia Commons | The legislation would eliminate the need for further energy efficiency programs; however, the Ohio Public Utility Commission has found that utilities easily met or surpassed their savings targets with cost-effective energy efficiency programs. Despite the fact that some utilities claim energy efficiency programs are too expensive to implement, American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio has filed a report demonstrating that an increase in savings from energy efficiency programs is reasonable and achievable. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provides further evidence that energy efficiency programs can actually be cost effective. ACEEE research found that programs aimed at reducing energy waste cost utilities less than three cents per kilowatt hour. Generating the same amount of electricity from fossil fuels can cost two to three times that amount. "Opponents of energy efficiency savings targets ignore the costs of building expensive new power plants, which are paid for through charges on utility bills," said ACEEE senior fellow Martin Kushler. "Because saving energy through efficiency improvements is much cheaper than building a new power plant, energy efficiency programs end up resulting in lower utility bills for customers." For more:
- see this report
- download this report Related Articles:
Pacific Gas and Electric leads utility energy efficiency programs
States with EERS lead in utility energy efficiency
Policies sought to incentivize utilities to increase efficiency Read more about: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
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3. Victory bonds could provide financial support to clean energy
The Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2014 has been introduced to Congress in an effort to secure the United States' clean energy future.  | | Credit: Alfred Joseph Casson/Wikimedia Commons | With the uncertainty surrounding tax incentives for renewable energy, the Clean Energy Victory Bond would extend vital tax credits for a decade and provide an opportunity for average investors to support the clean energy economy. The bond is modeled after the World War II Victory Bond purchased by millions of Americans for a total of $185 billion. The Clean Energy Victory Bond will provide individual and institutional investors with the opportunity to invest in sectors such as solar, wind, second generation biofuels, electric vehicles, and residential and commercial energy efficiency programs. Clean Energy Victory Bonds will leverage a $50 billion investment to provide up to $150 billion in public and private financing to fund the production of innovative energy technologies and support the clean energy sector. Both areas in the U.S. are falling behind compared to the rest of the world. The bonds are also expected to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of energy, enhance national security, and limit price increases and fluctuations. "From a business perspective, the Clean Energy Victory Bond makes great sense," said Richard Eidlin, co-founder & policy director, American Sustainable Business Council, a supporter of the bill. "The clean energy industry has not had the steady flow of financial support that investors and business need to plan effectively, resulting in investors often deciding to place their investments overseas rather than in the US." For more:
- see this report Related Article:
Senate Finance Committee approves PTC extension through 2013 Read more about: Clean Energy
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4. Hercules Municipal Utility finds a buyer
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has acquired the Hercules Municipal Utility (HMU), and has begun providing electric service to those customers. After a long and arduous process of trying to sell HMU, PG&E was selected due to its history of providing efficient, reliable and cost-effective services to customers.  | | Hercules, California (in red). Credit: Arkyan/Wikimedia Commons | PG&E will invest in upgrades to modernize the HMU electric facilities, consistent with investments the utility has been making throughout the rest of its system, which resulted in PG&E customers experiencing the lowest level of downtime in the utility's history. The sale allows the City of Hercules to focus on delivering core city services and retire the HMU debt with the proceeds from the sale to help restore the City's financial health. At the same time, most former HMU customers will see their electric rates go down. "The City of Hercules looks forward to starting a new chapter -- one where our community and residents thrive. We feel our partnership with PG&E is the right choice for the future of Hercules," said Myrna de Vera, Mayor of Hercules, in a statement. "We believe this transition will meet the needs of our customers and will provide the service and reliability our residents and businesses deserve." Measure N, which authorized the sale of HMU, passed with 77 percent of the vote. Service by PG&E officially began on April 10, 2014. For more:
- see the agreement Related Article:
Pacific Gas and Electric's smart grid success Read more about: Pacific Gas and Electric
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5. Global governments supporting EVs
Government incentives, consumer desire for more fuel-efficient, cleaner forms of transportation, and fleet managers' interest in lower-cost operations are all driving growth in electric vehicles (EV) and alternative fuel vehicles, including vehicles powered by fuel cells and natural gas. This will result in worldwide sales of electric and alternative fuel vehicles of 12.4 million in 2022 – up from 6.6 million in 2014, according to forecasts from Navigant Research.  | | Credit: Avda/Wikimedia Commons | "Although gasoline and diesel will still account for the majority of vehicle purchases eight years from now, EVs, fuel cell vehicles, and natural gas vehicles will present a growing number of buyers with appealing choices," said Scott Shepard, research analyst with Navigant Research. "Reduced fuel costs and savings on maintenance are the primary reasons for growing interest in these vehicles, but new technology is making them attractive in other areas, as well." Hybrid electric vehicles, while widely available in North America, Western and Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific, are limited elsewhere. Plug-in hybrid and battery electric models are increasing in number, and will be less limited in most regions with several new models expected to launch in the 2014-2015 timeframe as automakers present hybrid models in countries where they did not exist before, according to Navigant. Governments worldwide want to see increasing penetrations of EVs due to the environmental, economic, and energy security benefits, according to Navigant, and demand is increasing among fleet operators and consumers. Government incentives to drive growth in EV development have been fundamental to growing plug-in electric vehicle penetration within the overall light duty vehicle market. For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
SMUD launches EV charging pilot
NRG strengthening CA EV infrastructure
Manufacturers facing pressure to drive EV popularity Read more about: electric vehicles
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