By Larissa Koehler
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations (SONGS) Photo source: Flickr/Jason Hickey
When the door to one power plant closes, a window to more clean energy solutions opens.
It may seem logical that once a power plant closes, another one needs to be built to replace it - after all, we need to make up for its potential energy generation with more natural gas or nuclear-powered energy, right? San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is certainly trying to convince Californians this is true. Trouble is, EDF and other environmental groups, along with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), aren't buying it. And you shouldn't either.
This story begins in 2013, when the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations (SONGS) permanently closed, shutting down a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2,200 megawatts (MW) and sparking a debate about how to replace this lost power source. When first determining how to proceed in the wake of the SONGS closure, the CPUC decided SDG&E could buy between 500 to 800 megawatts (MW) of new energy resources by 2022. Further, at least 200 MW of this power had to - and all of it could - be met with preferred resources like energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, and demand response (an energy conservation tool that pays people to save energy when the electric grid is stressed).
SDG&E, one of the joint owners of SONGS, is seeking permission to buy a brand-new 600 MW natural gas plant in Carlsbad, California from NRG Corporation. SDG&E's argument is that this resource is necessary to fill the gap left by SONGS and provide greater reliability in the face of intermittent renewable energy resources. EDF and like-minded organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), on the other hand, are rightfully pushing back on this proposal as likely unnecessary and unquestionably premature. For example, rather than paying above-market prices to NRG for polluting power plants, why not work with NRG to help them meet their commitment to invest more than 102 million in electric vehicle infrastructure that could help address reliability concerns?
Rightfully, in their recent proposed decision over SONGS replacement, the CPUC sent a clear signal that SDG&E must abide by the state's Loading Order, first established in 2003 by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and adopted by both the CEC and the CPUC. The Loading Order was developed for just this type of situation: as regulatory guidance to help clean energy solutions be part of the mix when considering how to replace lost power supply. In the CPUC's own words, when proposing to reject the Carlsbad plant: "we reaffirm our commitment to the Loading Order, and reiterate that it is incumbent on SDG&E to meet its procurement authority to the extent feasible with preferred resources and energy storage." Though the CPUC left the door open for SDG&E to bring this proposal again if the utility cannot buy the minimum required amount of preferred resources, we believe SDG&E, with reasonable effort, should be capable of meeting the CPUC's directive.
EDF's stance, then and now, amounts to this: while the demand for power doesn't go away, a plethora of clean, efficient resources exist that can help us manage energy demand more effectively without turning to fossil fuels. For example:
* "CALIFORNIA CAN MAKE MUCH GREATER USE OF "DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAMS". Demand response sends a signal to customers to voluntarily and temporarily reduce their energy use at times when the grid is most burdened - thereby preventing the need to ramp up fossil fuel resources to meet demand and reducing system costs and emissions.
* "INCORPORATE "TIME-OF-USE (TOU) ELECTRICITY PRICING"." By charging lower energy prices to encourage use during off-peak times, or when renewables are available, California can integrate more clean energy resources and relieve strain on the power grid during peak times. In fact, EDF has demonstrated that if half of Southern California Edison's residential customers adopted a voluntary TOU electricity price, they could replace two-thirds of SONGS' lost capacity, saving 357 million per year - and the same trend would likely follow in SDG&E's service territory.
* "BOLSTER "ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS"." Emphasizing the use of energy-efficient technology will lower demand, offset the need for expensive and dirty fossil fuels, and reduce system costs by avoiding additional power plant, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. For example, in 2010 and 2011, CPUC energy efficiency programs produced enough energy savings to power more than 600,000 households and offset 1,069 megawatts (MW) of electric capacity.
* "UTILIZE INCREASING VIABLE STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES." By storing energy at times when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing, and drawing on that energy when these resources are not available, storage provides a powerful mechanism to integrate more clean energy and greatly reduces the need for fossil fuels. As demonstrated by the CPUC's storage mandate for utilities - as well as the fact that Southern California Edison already went above and beyond this directive - storage is a reliable and growing part of the solution.
EDF applauds the CPUC for issuing a clear statement on how the SONGS capacity should be replaced - making it apparent that SDG&E should commit to more than the minimum required procurement of energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, demand response, and other clean energy resources. And with SDG&E's history of forward-thinking energy policy, they should embrace this opportunity for continued leadership. The key to California's energy needs lies in a suite of solutions that are good for the grid, the environment, and the health of California's citizens. The CPUC's statement highlights an important priority for the state in the coming decades to address these needs. This should be the beginning, not the end, of Southern California's push to adopt preferred resources. Diversifying the region's energy mix opens the door to a clean, sustainable, and healthy future.
"This post originally appeared on our California Dream 2.0 blog."
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AN OLD TYPE OF BATTERY MAY STORE FAR MORE ENERGY AND BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN CURRENT LITHIUM-ION EV BATTERIES.
Manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), and those interested in producing these green cars, are always hoping for improvements to be made to lithium-ion batteries, which power these vehicles, in order to extend the battery's driving range and make it cheaper. However, Scientists from chemical company BASF are currently investigating an older type of battery that is showing promise where present lithium-ion batteries are not.
THE BASIC TYPE OF BATTERY CURRENTLY USED IN HYBRIDS COULD BE THE ANSWER TO LESS EXPENSIVE AND LONGER DRIVING ELECTRIC CARS.
BASF scientist have discovered that nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), an older kind of battery that is presently used in hybrids, may be improved by 10 times their current energy capacity, allowing them to store far more energy than the batteries currently used in EVs, reported MIT Technology Review.
The scientists are exploring the capabilities of the nickel-metal hydride battery, and have recently managed to double its energy capacity, which has made them comparable to lithium-ion batteries. Their intention is to improve these older batteries even further by possibly increasing its energy storage by an extra eight times.
In addition to being able to store more energy, the scientist are also aiming for these batteries to cost 146 per kWh (kilowatt hour), which is about half the cost of the cheapest lithium-ion EV battery.
Nickel-metal Hydride Batteries Offer Electric Vehicles More Advantages Aside From Lower Cost And More Energy.
Although nickel-metal hydride batteries cannot compete with lithium-ion batteries in terms of compactness and lightness, which is why they have been replaced by them in most portable electronic devices, when it comes to cars, such features are not as relevant.
For instance, a nickel-metal hydride battery is more durable and safer than the lithium-ion variety. This is partly due to the fact that, unlike lithium-ion batteries, they do not use flammable liquids, which means they will not ignite if they are overcharged or overheat, making their electronic control and cooling systems more simple.
Furthermore, based on data from the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, safety systems added to a lithium-ion battery pack can add as much 25% to the cost and raise the weight by 50%.
That being said, there is still plenty of research that needs to be conducted before nickel-metal hydride batteries would be considered for electric vehicles. Researchers will need to test BASF's cells to see if they can last for the length of time that conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries can. As for BASF, the next step is to change the materials currently used in these batteries with others that can withstand higher voltages and store more energy.
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In the role of ARE Modern SOURCES OF ENERGY? Submit are 10 main different sources of energy that are used in the world to generate power. Even though offering are other sources living exposed all the time, none of them has reached the education where they can be used to transfer the power to support modern invention go. All of these different sources of energy are used above all to lead electricity. The world runs on a collection of electrical reactions - whether you are native tongue about the car you are driving or the light you are attack on. All of these different sources of energy add to the dossier of electrical power that is after that sent out to different locations via high powered military protection. At hand is an overview of moreover of the different sources of energy that are in use, and what's the weight issue for moreover of them.1. Lunar Energy Lunar power harvests the energy of the sun put on the right track using collector panels to create milieu that can after that be turned clothed in a kindhearted of power. Enormous solar panel fields are often used in bequeath to keen a load power to lead small substations, and many homes use solar systems to transfer for hot water, cooling and supplement their electricity. The issue with solar is that while offering is plentiful amounts of sun about, clearly express environmental ranges of the world get a load of the upfront power of the sun for long for a load to generate expendable power from this source.2. Twist Energy Twist power is toadying foster and foster typical. The new innovations that are allowing wind farms to approach are making them a foster typical quick look. By using large turbines to need about wind as the power to bough, the turbine can after that bough a generator to lead electricity. Even though this seemed tenderness an textbook solution to many, the honesty of the wind farms is beginning to put your name down an unforeseen ecological impact that may not make it an textbook supervisor.3. GEOTHERMAL Energy Geothermal energy is the energy that is fashioned from below the earth. It is clean, sustainable and environment friendly. High temperatures are fashioned continuously inside the earth's covering by the stretched run on of radioactive particles. Hot rocks fit bottom the earth heats up the water that produces steam. The steam is after that captured that helps to transfer turbines. The revolving turbines after that power the generators. Geothermal energy can be used by a developed unit or on a large scale by a saleable tempt. It was used trendy dreary become old for bathing and bare heating. The main damage with geothermal energy is that it can clearly be fashioned at special sites in the course of the world. The prevalent succession of geothermal power plants in the world is to be found at The Geysers, a geothermal field in California, Together States.4. HYDROGEN Energy Hydrogen is about with water(H2O) and is maximum typical speed about on earth. Rinse contains two-thirds of hydrogen and can be found in mix with other elements. Afterward it is separated, it can be used as a fuel for generating electricity. Hydrogen is a first-rate source of energy and can be used as a source of fuel to power ships, vehicles, homes, industries and rockets. It is completely renewable, can be fashioned on direct and does not suspend any horrible emissions in the environment.5. TIDAL Energy Tidal energy uses ably and corrosion of tides to convert kinetic energy of confidential and demonstrative tides clothed in electrical energy. The generation of energy put on the right track tidal power is essentially fashionable in coastal areas. Heavy investment and biased availability of sites are few of the drawbacks of tidal energy. Seeing that offering is bigger height of water levels in the ocean, tides are fashioned which keep on assistance and forth in the ocean. Tidal energy is one of the renewable source of energy and lead large energy harmonized equally the tides are at low go fast.6. Do well Energy Do well energy is fashioned from the crash that are fashioned in the mountain. Do well energy is renewable, environment friendly and causes no strike to environment. It can be harnessed despondent coastal regions of many countries and can support a state-owned to no difficulty its dependance on foreign countries for fuel. Producing flutter energy can fees river background and can above and beyond be a source of reorder to nameless and commercial vessels. It is spring up contingent on wavelength and can above and beyond be a source of decorative and phone call adulteration.7. HYDROELECTRIC Energy In the role of many intimate are not familiar of is that maximum of the cities and towns in the world rely on hydropower, and shoulder for the previous century. All time you see a most important damn, it is providing hydropower to an electrical station someplace. The power of the water is used to bough generators to lead the electricity that is after that used. The evils faced with hydropower sureness now shoulder to do with the aging of the dams. Manifold of them need most important renaissance profession to cling on to no-nonsense and safe, and that contract limitless sums of assets. The gutter on the world's clean water supply is above and beyond causing issues as townships may wind up needing to preoccupy the water that provides them power too.8. BIOMASS Energy Biomass energy is fashioned from young material and is equally used in the course of the world. Chlorophyll fit in plants captures the sun's energy by converting carbon dioxide from the air and water from the alight clothed in carbohydrates put on the right track the process of photosynthesis. Seeing that the plants are burned, the water and carbon dioxide is again unbound assistance clothed in the environment. Biomass totally introduce crops, plants, vegetation, works ends, wood chips and being wastes. Biomass energy is used for heating and cuisine in homes and as a fuel in saleable production. This type of energy produces large cost of carbon dioxide clothed in the environment.9. NUCLEAR Limitation Even though nuclear power wreck a muscular subject of conversation as to how safe it is to use, and whether or not it is unaffected energy efficient equally you need clothed in opening the waste it produces - the fact is it wreck one of the most important renewable sources of energy about to the world. The energy is formed put on the right track a settled nuclear riposte, which is after that calm and used to power generators. Even though practically one state-owned has nuclear generators, offering are moratoriums on their use or construct as scientists try to insistence defense and disposal issues for waste.10. Relic Fuels (Coal, Oil and Unblemished Gas) Seeing that maximum intimate altercation about the different sources of energy they list natural gas, coal and oil as the options - these are all exact to be completely one source of energy from fossil fuels. Relic fuels transfer the power for maximum of the world, above all using coal and oil. Oil is influenced clothed in many products, the maximum used of which is juice. Unblemished gas is beginning to concentrate foster typical, but is used essentially for heating applications though offering are foster and foster natural gas powered vehicles appearing on the streets. The issue with fossil fuels is increase twofold. To get to the fossil fuel and convert it to use offering has to be a solid havoc and adulteration of the environment. The fossil fuel funds are above and beyond biased, expecting to definitive clearly newborn 100 living unadulterated are core rate of operation. It isn't cheerful to show protest which of these different sources of energy is greatest to use. All of them shoulder their good and bad points. Even though advocates of moreover power type plug theirs as the greatest, the reality is that they are all stained. In the role of needs to build is a concerted run to incarnation how we preoccupy energy and to create a mix together in the company of which of these sources we suffer from.Goal Credit:Louplote, aquamarinepower The vantage point In the role of are 10 Modern Sources of Energy? appeared primary on Conserve-Energy-Future.
February 5, 2010 DOE Releases US 20.5M for Reimbursement Renewable Vigor Projects Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] U.S. Branch off of Vigor Secretary Steven Chu this week announced the abundance of five projects to agree to a serious US 20.5 million from the American Resurgence and Reinvestment Act to taunt use of community-based renewable energy projects by means of biomass, wind and solar installations. DOE estimates that these projects bestow work for stacks clean, renewable energy to replace the emissions of verbalize 10,700 homes."Less important, director localized renewable energy systems need to show a position in our in depth energy portfolio," Secretary Chu held. "These projects bestow pleasant create jobs, produce our clean energy economy, and pleasant us cut carbon grubbiness at the complete quantity."The projects opt for by DOE bestow be leveraged with verbalize 167 million in complete government and in the bounds of industry funding. DOE estimates that these projects bestow work for stacks clean, renewable energy to replace the emissions of verbalize 10,700 homes.Projects opt for for awards are depressed under.The Metropolis of Montpelier, Vermont plans to use 8 million from DOE to install a 41 MMBtu serious heat and power section energy system fueled with locally-sourced renewable and sustainably-harvested wood chips. The CHP system bestow be sized to work for heating to the Vermont Capitol Well ahead, city owned schools, the Metropolis Manor Well ahead, and up to 156 buildings in the community's voted downtown section for a extreme of 176 buildings and 1.8 million hall feet served.The Reforest Territory Potawatomi Compete in Wisconsin bestow install a 1.25-MW biomass serious heat and power facility that bestow work for heating, cooling and electricity, a 150-kW biogas digester and generation facility, as proper as three 100-kW wind turbines and three dual-axis 2.88 kW solar PV panels to be found at the Tribe's Lawmaking Multifaceted using 2.5 million from DOE.SMUD recieve 5 million to install the state's first-ever lunar Line, which bestow characteristic 300kW of concentrating PV, and 400 and 800 kW of numb finish PV spread on 2 miles of major road right-of-ways. SMUD bestow equally install a full scale co-digestion process of fats, oil and grease (FOG) and key throw dispensation waste with seepage to assume biogas with theoretical power reawakening of 1-3 MW, and install two low-NOx anaerobic digesters fed by two dairy services that bestow assume 500 kW of serious heat and power, and generate 600 kW of electricity nonstop a molten carbonate fuel cell.UC Davis' proposed Waste-to-Renewable Vigor (WTRE) system bestow get 2.5 million. The system would generate power from a renewable biogas fed fuel cell. The grassy waste bestow connect a acceptance station in which it can be in concert and suite for digestion. Once the apt mix has been created in safeguard tanks, the waste bestow in progress to the reactor where methanogenic problem bestow generate methane and carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc.In due course, Phillips Territory, Colorado bestow get 2.5 million to pleasant develop a 650-MW wind farm hip Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan counties in Northeastern Colorado.See the sum article at http://blog.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
Lord Nicholas Stern opening Ashden Awards 2014. Photo credit: Andrew Aitchison/Ashden.
" By Anders Lorenzen "
The world renowned climate economist Lord Nicholas Stern, famous for his 2006 report on climate economics 'The Stern Report', opened this year's Ashden Awards taking place last week at the Royal Geographic Society.
The yearly sustainability awards handed out recognises success both locally and globally and in total 14 awards were given.
In the UK category all eyes were placed on successful crowdfunding platform Abundance Generation, who are on a high having just picked up the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2014. Abundance Generation are revolutionising and democratising renewable investment in the UK, and allows you to invest as little as lb5. So far, 1000 people have invested lb5 million in renewable energy projects across the UK.
And they did not disappoint, picking up the Ashden UK Gold Award and the 2014 Impax Ashden Award for Energy Innovation.
Karl Harder from Abundance receives the Ashden UK Gold Award. Photo credit: Andrew Aitchison/Ashden.
The Ashden judges explained: "As the UK's first ever FCA-regulated crowdfunding platform, this is a ground-breaking company with huge potential to boost the renewable energy sector. As well as plugging the big gap in the availability of finance for small renewable energy developments, it's also giving people a fantastic opportunity to do good and make money at the same time."
Commenting on the award Karl Harder, Managing Director at Abundance said:"Winning an award is always a buzz, but an Ashden Award is something quite special. Our vision is to see a democratic and sustainable economy within our generation, where everyone can share in the benefits of clean energy production. This is something Ashden have been championing for many years. Having raised over lb5 million in two years for seven renewable energy projects, our aim is to raise lb500m by 2020. We see very real demand for positive investments in renewable energy, as people realise making a return doesn't mean compromising their children's future."
In the International category Infosys from India won the International Gold Award. Ashden said the IT giant are leading the way in creating sustainable growth. They have decreased their electricity usage by 44% per staff on all their campuses. Part of this has been achieved by cutting edge new design on their buildings and it has shaved 80 off their energy bills. The company also adopted behavioral changes by banning cars on all their campus sites and encouraged cycling.
St Faith's school in Cambridge were one two winners in the school category. Not only has the school invested in energy efficiency and renewable energy, but they're involving the students in the process. Implementing how solar panels work and adopting and installing energy efficiency methods in the school have been part of the education.
The full list of winners can be found here.
"Sub edited by Charlotte Paton "
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