When I walked into the Denver Convention Center, I really didn’t know what to expect. I had been to a few other week long conferences unrelated to renewable energy and they were usually 90% yawns with the occasional gem of a speaker. But this conference was different. Oh yes, of course I’m a renewable energy junkie always looking for news on increases in solar cell efficiency or the gradual improvement of renewable portfolio standards in states across the nation, so I probably can’t be trusted to provide an unbiased opinion. However, you have to believe me when I tell you that being in the midst of people representing nations on every continent except Antarctica was intoxicating. During the week, my eyes were slowly opened to possibility once again.

Scientists, policy makers, advocates, radicals, environmentalists, community organizers, academics,geeks, and nobodies like me were gathered together for a week exchanging ideas, asking questions, sharing success and failures, and perpetuating possibilities of a future planet that practices, as the Brundlandt Commission stated, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” I realized during a dizzying week of Ignite presentations, panel discussions, and plenary sessions that there were indeed kindred spirits working on behalf of a future while focusing on the present. WREF recharged my old fuel cell for what I hope is a long and fruitful life working towards a renewable, efficient, and sustainable world.

And last but not least, a huge thank you to the good folks at ASES who worked countless hours to organize a global conference nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. You’ve contributed fond memories to this blogger that I trust will last a lifetime. Now, I must get back to work…

Photo Credit: NREL

Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director and Chief Executive of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), gave a very detailed presentation on how to “Realize a Clean Energy Future” at WREF 2012. He started off his presentation by talking about the pressing energy issues we currently have: energy security, the economy, and protecting the environment. Currently, the U.S. is producing about 74.9 Quadrillion BTUs of energy while consuming more than 98 Quadrillion BTUs of energy. Arvizu pushed the idea that our country is still focused on natural gas, coal, and petroleum for energy but 12.9% of global energy supply comes from renewable energy generation. The problem with incorporating more renewable energy generation is that costs are still high and haven’t reached a competitive state with current energy production. Energy like geothermal, hydro, wind, and biomass are reaching a point where they will be soon cost competitive, therefore it is more likely that these sources will grow in production.

One of the points Dr. Arvizu came back throughout his presentation was that globally, renewable energy potential is enormous but a profound transformation in our energy system is required. Our current energy system is dependent on non-domestic sources, subject to price volatility, vulnerability to energy delivery systems, wasted source energy, and increasing amounts of carbon emissions. To have a sustainable energy system, Arvizu stated that we need carbon neutrality, efficiency, diverse supply options, sustainable use of resources, economic development, and a system that is accessible, affordable and secure. In order to get there, the challenges that need to be overcome are legal, market, and institutional barriers; coordination between all agencies to create a shared vision; public support by understanding importance; and finding a solution that works for our country and our needs. Some ways to deal with these issues is by more investment in research and development, utilizing the asset, capital investment for long term, and national strategies to drive the energy market.

After discussing where renewable energy stands on a national and global level, Dr. Arvizu took a look into the current status of renewable technologies. He recognized that many states have Renewable Portfolio Standards and goals while also having great potential for a variety of renewable energy options. Because of this, the improvements in a variety of renewable and efficient technologies is necessary. He discussed the promising technologies in a bunch of different sectors including solar, wind, biofuels, transportation, building innovation, and efficiency/integration innovation. Throughout all of these sectors, he pressed the idea that their is huge potential for this field because of the variety of options within each sector. For example, for solar power alone there are three impressive PV technologies that are being developed to perform more efficiently and effectively: CPV, Thin Films, and Crystalline Silicon. Arvizu went into detail on all the different sectors and the prevalent innovation occurring right now to strengthen renewable energy.

Dr. Arvizu wrapped up his discussion by leaving this final statement:

“To achieve a clean energy vision, we must invest in innovation, invent the future we desire, improve access to capital, and partner on a global scale.”

To learn more about WREF 2012 and see the proceedings from the event, please click here. View below to see part of Arvizu’s powerpoint presentation:

The question is no longer if clean energy will become competitive with conventional energy forms of energy; the question is, when will it happen?

The first question from the audience during Q&A vocalized the frustration many feel in the renewable energy world at the political debate around energy in Washington. The issue this question referred to was on subsidies for renewables without recognizing that fossil fuels have been receiving subsides for decades. The list goes on and on.  The audience member urged Steven Chu to lead the DOE to create a new dialog for public discourse around energy. Chu responded that the last thing we want is to let clean energy get bogged down in a political debate. It is on its way to becoming a cheaper form of energy. Conversation should be to phase out all subsidies because technology is going at such a pace where we should not need subsidies. Chu is a scientist, not a politician, and his perspective that politics should stay out of rational decisions about this country’s energy future is probably a wise one. Toxic politics are rendering useless to much of our public discourse about the future. If the energy world can embrace both sides of the aisle in Washington and keep the focus on logical strategies that will support a better future for everyone, their cause will benefit.

Karl W. Böer was born in Berlin, Germany, and holds a Ph.D. in physics from Humboldt University. He came to the University of Delaware to teach physics in 1962, and became a professor of physics and engineering in 1972. He has received numerous awards and has more than 300 publications, 28 patents and several books to his credit. He created Physica Status Solidi, was its editor-in-chief in 1961, and still serves as an editor. He also designed the SolarOne House, the first house that converted sunlight into heat and electricity with hybrid collectors. Böer is now a distinguished professor of physics and solar energy emeritus at the University of Delaware.

Renate Böer was born in Germany, and holds a Ph.D. In international trade from the University of Cologne. Until her retirement, she was executive director and co-chair of the International Council of the State of Delaware. She has served as an ASES board member, treasurer and chair of the Fundraising Committee. She established the ASES Trust Fund, the proceeds of which are intended to fund an education/marketing position. She also established the ASES Board of Trustees to support ASES’ long-term financial viability. Renate represented ASES on the board of directors of the International Solar Energy Society and was vice president of the ISES Executive Committee.

Learn more about the rest of the 2012 ASES Awards.

Photo Credit: Dennis Schroeder

The annual ASES Gala Awards Dinner at WREF 2012 was a night to remember. Attendees enjoyed presentations from two prominent speakers, Dennis Dimick and Bill Ritter who intertwined policy and press to share a vision of an energy vision throughout the world.

The first speaker at the Gala was Dennis Dimick from the National Geographic. He is the Executive Environmental Editor for the National Geographic and is responsible for all things related to energy, climate, and sustainability seen in the magazine. His presentation was built on dozens of award-winning photographs from numerous National Geographic photographers that displayed “The Era of Man: Stewardship in the Anthropocene.”

Our second speaker was Former Governor Bill Ritter. He is now heading up CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy which focuses on accelerating the nation’s development of a new and clean energy economy. His talk focused on a roadmap for decision makers around the country to guide them into a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future.

Banquet attendees along with an anonymous donor who matched all funds generously donated to support ASES in it’s mission to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

If you were unable to attend the event you can still offer your support.

Creative Commons: user Lucas Braun

As I write this, the first day of the World Renewable Energy Forum is coming to a close and my mind is swimming with a plethora of information on the status of renewable energy (RE). One thing has been already made clear – clean techies around the world still have much work to do to ensure RE markets continue to thrive. If we would like to see more renewables adopted on a utility-scale or on the distributed generation level, then we as renewable energy (RE) professionals need to focus on changing perceptions and making RE financially feasible through policy and the free market. Highlights from some of the Ignite presentations are as follows:

• Dr. Ken Swift, An End User Perspective on the Cost of Solar PV Installed by Commercial Organizations: Mr. Swift studied whether it made economic sense to do solar PV in commercial settings in four cities across the U.S. Some of the factors impacting return on investment (ROI) for commercial PV include levels of solar radiation, electricity costs, and state or utility RE incentives. Bottom line on cost effectiveness? Location, location, location.
• Dr. Varun Rai, Decision-Making and Behavior Change in Residential Adopters of PV: Dr. Rai completed a survey of 365 PV owners in Texas to find out the reasons why they chose to adopt PV. Environmental impact and financial attractiveness are the biggest reasons for adopting PV. However, Dr. Rai found that solar adopters had “information overload” with respect to residential PV. This information overload was mitigated when prospective PV buyers spoke with other PV owners. In addition, people are more likely to adopt PV when there is at least one PV owner in their own neighborhood that they can talk to. Also, one interesting aspect of the study was that solar PV adopters are more sensitive to energy conservation. Bottom line? Get existing PV owners to talk to their neighbors.
• Kristen Brown, Incorporating Climate and Air Quality Externalities in the U.S. Electric System: Ms. Brown studied what would happen if there were fees placed on “externalities” like the damages that electricity generation provides through greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants. Ms. Brown’s study found that fees would cause changes in the electricity mix by decreasing the amount of fossil fuels and increasing solar and wind generation. When we begin to consider the damages that electricity causes it begins to affect our electricity decisions. Bottom line? If we put a cost on electricity damages, it makes clean technologies more attractive.
• Sean Ong, PV Grid Parity in the U.S.: Mr. Ong mentioned that surveys have shown that 90% of Americans want solar PV, but the prices are too high at this moment. Once PV prices come down and are competitive with traditional utility fuels, also known as “grid-parity“, people will begin to adopt it. Grid-parity is affected by many things such as location in the U.S. and time of use. PV is more attractive to consumers in the Southwest and the Northeast U.S. because those locations are closer to grid-parity. Bottom line? Once grid-parity happens there will be a solar gold rush.

These challenges to the RE markets are surely not insurmountable. Armed with data from these presenters we can increase renewable adoption rates in the near future.