Wind turbines on Tug Hill plateau in upstate New York

A new study, co-authored by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson, finds that it is technically and economically feasible to convert New York’s all-purpose energy infrastructure to one powered by wind, water and sunlight (WWS). The plan outlines a way to a sustainable and reliable energy supply that will create local jobs and save the state billions of dollars in pollution-related costs. The study is the first to develop a plan to fulfill all of a state’s transportation, electric power, industry, and heating and cooling energy needs with renewable energy, and to calculate the number of new devices and jobs created, amount of land and ocean areas required, and policies needed for such an infrastructure change.While WWS conversion may come along with increased capital costs, they would be made up for by the elimination of fuel costs and the switch would also create a net gain in manufacturing and technology jobs. The calculations of this study outline exactly what sort of technology and how much of it will be needed to meet New York’s 2030 power demand for all sectors. Also according to the study, if New York switched to WWS, air pollution–related deaths would decline by about 4,000 annually and the state would save about $33 billion in related health costs every year. Currently, almost all of New York’s energy comes from imported oil, coal and gas. Under the plan that Jacobson and his fellow researchers advance, 40 percent of the state’s energy would come from local wind power, 38 percent from local solar and the remainder from a combination of hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal and wave energy. The authors of this study  are also developing similar plans for other states, including California and Washington.

Source: Stanford researchers map out an alternative energy future for New York, March 12, 2013

Source: http://247wallst.com/category/alternative-energy/

According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, 1,231 MW of new in-service electrical generating capacity from wind, solar, and biomass sources came on line in the United States in January 2013. This shows a nearly three-fold increase in generating capacity compared to January 2012, when wind, solar, and biomass provided 431 MW of new capacity. Wind accounted for the largest share of new capacity in January 2013 with six new units providing 958 MW followed by sixteen units of solar, and six units of biomass. Renewable energy sources now account for 15.66% of total installed US operating generating capacity, while there is no new generating capacity reported for any fossil fuel or nuclear power sources. Once again renewable energy sources are dominating the electrical generation market. SUN DAY Campaign Executive Director Ken Bossong states, “And once again, their rapid expansion demonstrates that the U.S. can meet its future energy needs without resorting to dirtier sources such as nuclear power or the Keystone XL pipeline.”

Source: SUN DAY Campaign News Release- WIND, SOLAR, AND BIOMASS PROVIDE ALL NEW U.S. ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY IN JANUARY 2013

Photo: treehugger.com, January 21, 2013

Plans are being made for the world’s first 1-gigawatt wind farm to be built off the coast of Fukushima. Clean energy is the smartest alternative to nuclear energy for Japan, and they are ready to face the challenge! According to Physorg, the new farm is expected to produce 1 gigawatt using 143 turbines, in comparison to the current largest farm in the U.K. that produces 504 megawatts using 140 turbines. The plan to mount the turbines on floating steel frames off the coast of Fukashima is the supposed key to success in building the world’s largest wind farm. This massive project, along with plans for the largest solar farm in Japan, will hopefully help Japan reach its goal to be 100% energy self-sufficient by 2040!

Source: Treehugger, World’s Largest Wind Farm to be Built 10 Miles Off Coast of Fukushima

There’s a push to create more green jobs in Nebraska.

At a recent Legislative meeting many representatives from engineering and renewable energy companies testified as to why Nebraska needs to do more to train young people for green jobs.

A recent study done by the Sierra Club of Nebraska concludes the state could create an additional 14,000 jobs by 2030 if the state’s wind and solar energy resources are tapped.

At Western Nebraska Community College the Dean of Workforce Development says he’s working to expand their wind energy program to include solar energy.

“Alternative energy sources are cleaner, so generally you’re going to have more longevity and regulation, those types of things. So it’s good to get in the mix as early as possible and try to become a leader in it.”

Nebraska has the fourth best wind resources and the ninth best solar resources in the country.

View the report here: kotanow.com, KDUH, Scottsbluff, News, Weather and Sports

Source: KOTA Legislature pushes for more “Green Jobs” training

Catalina Solar (Courtesy of EDF Renewable Energy)

California has set itself up to be a leader in the renewable energy world. Because of that, is it not surprising that California is the first state to have a hybrid renewable energy system. Since one of the biggest issues with renewables is the intermittent period when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, this system will allow for more energy to be generated without as much down time. EDF Renewable Energy is the company that built the 140 MW Pacific Wind farm with a nearby 143 MW solar power station. This system brings more benefit because new transmission lines don’t have to be built for each system, they can share the lines instead and the transmission lines get much more use then.

Pacific Wind

Source: Forbes California’s New Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Plant Greens the Grid

(Press release, Oct 23) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today received the Energy Highway Task Force’s Blueprint, a comprehensive plan that will add up to 3,200 megawatts (MW) of additional electric generation and transmission capacity and clean power generation through up to $5.7 billion in private investments. The 3,200 MW outlined in this blueprint would provide enough energy to power approximately 3.2 million homes.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

The Energy Highway initiative, introduced in the 2012 State of the State address, is a centerpiece of the Governor’s Power NY agenda, which was put in place to ensure that New York’s energy grid is the most advanced in the nation and promotes increased business investment in the state.

“As we work to grow New York’s economy, we need reliable, affordable, and clean power to leverage significant private sector investments, to allow businesses to grow, and to create jobs,” Governor Cuomo said. “The energy highway will ensure that businesses and residential consumers across New York State have access to the affordable power they need to plan for not just today, but also for the future. An economy built to last requires a power infrastructure that gives businesses the confidence and security they need to hire new workers and plan for years to come, and this Blueprint continues to position New York State as a national leader in clean energy production and investment.”

The Blueprint includes specific actions designed to add up to 3,200 MW in new generation and transmission, including plans to:

• Invest $1 billion for 1000 MW of new electric transmission capacity
• Initiate $250 million in new renewable energy projects, leveraging $425 million in private investment and creating 270 MW of new power
• Modernize and repower existing inefficient, high emission plants to create 750 MW of power, enabled by approximately $1.5 billion investment. (Editor’s note: We assume most of this will be conversion of coal to natural gas)
• Generate 1,200 MW of additional capacity through approximately $1 billion investment to help meet reliability needs to address retiring power plants across the state. (Editor’s note: We assume much of this will involve natural gas)
• Accelerate $1.3 billion of investment in existing transmission and distribution projects to enhance reliability, improve safety, reduce cost to customers and reduce emissions.
• Invest $250 million to develop Smart Grid technologies and create the most advanced energy management control center in the country.
• Initiate field studies of Atlantic Ocean offshore wind development potential

The interagency Energy Highway Task Force will begin swift implementation of the proposed actions. These steps will significantly reduce the time required for development of energy infrastructure and includes a first-of-its-kind solicitation of new transmission projects by the Department of Public Service.

The Blueprint reaches every corner of the state with both locally focused and statewide actions to provide system reliability and economic development benefits. In Northern New York, strategic investments in transmission system upgrades will facilitate access for renewable energy projects to electricity markets. Western New York will undergo an immediate review of the viability of repowering options for power plants that have announced retirement plans and could benefit from a new Community Support Plan in the event plants are closed. Repowering, reducing transmission congestion, and offshore wind initiatives in the downstate region will help to green the power plant fleet supplying the highest energy demand area of the State. Upgrades throughout the state will support regional job growth and economic development.

The Energy Highway Task Force created the Blueprint after reviewing 130 responses provided by 85 entities including investor-owned utilities, private developers and investors in response to its Request for Information (RFI), issued in April. Public comments submitted on the RFI responses were also considered in the development of the plan as were publicly available reports and analyses. In April, along with the issuance of the RFI, the Task Force convened two conferences—an Energy Highway Summit at which power industry leaders explored the State’s energy issues and challenges, and a Conference of RFI Respondents and Interested Parties.

Governor Cuomo provided his vision for the Energy Highway in his 2012 State of the State address. He named Gil C. Quiniones, president and chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority, and Joseph Martens, commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as co-chairman of the Task Force. Joining them on the Task Force are Kenneth Adams, president, chief executive officer and commissioner of Empire State Development; Garry A. Brown, chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission; and Francis J. Murray, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

To view the Energy Highway Blueprint, visit www.NYEnergyHighway.com.