The U.S. wind energy industry has experienced its slowest quarter since 2007 and seeks swift action to strengthen policies that unleashed a wave of private investment in 2008 and 2009.
The U.S. industry added just 395 MW of wind-powered electric generating capacity in the third quarter of 2010, making it the lowest quarter since 2007. Year-to-date installations stood at 1,634 MW, down 72 percent versus 2009, and the lowest level since 2006. In 2010, wind projects in the U.S. are being installed at half the rate as in Europe, and a third of the rate as in China.
Factors include lack of long-term U.S. energy policies, such as a Renewable Electricity Standard, and resulting lack of certainty for business, which has the country's utilities failing to move forward with wind build-out plans. Such policies are already in place in China and Europe, resulting in more than $35 billion of expected investment in 2010 –nearly four times the investment the U.S. will see this year. The industry calls on Congress to match such efforts to establish long-term policy.
"We're increasing our dependence on fossil fuels, impacting our national security, instead of diversifying our portfolio to include more renewables," said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the national trade association of over 2,500 companies.
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other third-party sources show that wind accounted for 39 percent of new installed capacity in 2009, versus 13 percent from coal; in the first nine months of 2010, however, the ratio flipped, and wind accounted for only 14 percent, versus 39 percent from coal.
"At the same time, wind is becoming an even better deal," Bode said, "with up-front costs decreasing, higher-performing technology, and the certainty of a long-term stable price." Wind has become cost-competitive with all new methods of generation, and is not subject to fuel price spikes, or environmental regulations on pollutants, water use, etc.
Swift, short-term action to extend tax credits for renewable energy in 2009 helped boost the U.S. wind industry to historic job growth and a high of 10,010 MW in new capacity last year. With swift passage of a Renewable Electricity Standard, Bode said the wind industry can get back on track, and add new generation faster than any other source of electricity.
"U.S. wind energy can again lead the world," Bode said, "but if federal policymakers do not act quickly to provide investment certainty through a Renewable Electricity Standard, and longer-term tax policy like our energy generation competitors enjoy, the U.S. wind industry will stall out."
Bode noted that domestic content of U.S. wind turbines has steadily increased with nearly 400 facilities in the U.S. manufacturing components for wind turbines, aided by a degree of stability of the Production Tax Credit, the support of a refundable tax credit under the Recovery Act, and state requirements for renewable energy.
Bode said the best way to galvanize the industry now will be continued tax credits and a federal benchmark of 15 percent renewables in the national electricity mix by 2020, as sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), John Ensign (R-NV), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Susan Collins (R-ME). "That will send a clear signal to investors that the U.S. is open for business," she said.
There are now 14 states with over 1,000 MW of wind installed, and 37 states with some utility-scale wind installed. Iowa, which got over 14 percent of its electricity from wind in 2009, is nearing 20 percent from wind, although government figures for 2010 have yet to be released. Oregon took the lead in adding the most capacity in the third quarter, the spot historically filled by Texas, where the industry now awaits investment in more electric transmission lines. With 111 MW installed this quarter, Indiana moved into the top 10 wind power states.
Source : Press Release
November 02, 2010
RMT Begins Construction on Largest Solar Facility in Northeastern U.S
RMT, Inc. has contracted with Pilesgrove Solar LLC to construct the largest solar energy facility in the Northeastern U.S. RMT has commenced construction on the 18 MW facility located in Pilesgrove, NJ.
Pilesgrove Solar LLC is a joint venture between Panda Power Funds and Con Edison Development. Panda Power Funds is responsible for managing development, engineering and construction of the solar project.
Con Edison Development will be managing the operation, maintenance, energy management and financing of the solar facility.
RMT is responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the civil infrastructure, solar modules and racking system, DC and AC electrical systems, SCADA system, and meteorological system. The project entails installation of over 71,000 photovoltaic solar modules. RMT also provided preliminary engineering and permitting support for the project.
The Pilesgrove solar facility is expected to commence commercial operation next spring. Atlantic City Electric will be the host utility for the project.
Source : Press Release
Pilesgrove Solar LLC is a joint venture between Panda Power Funds and Con Edison Development. Panda Power Funds is responsible for managing development, engineering and construction of the solar project.
Con Edison Development will be managing the operation, maintenance, energy management and financing of the solar facility.
RMT is responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the civil infrastructure, solar modules and racking system, DC and AC electrical systems, SCADA system, and meteorological system. The project entails installation of over 71,000 photovoltaic solar modules. RMT also provided preliminary engineering and permitting support for the project.
The Pilesgrove solar facility is expected to commence commercial operation next spring. Atlantic City Electric will be the host utility for the project.
Source : Press Release
California LCFS Lawsuit Moves Forward
Late yesterday, The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy filed papers in U.S. District Court in California asking the federal court to declare that California's low carbon fuels standard (LCFS) violates the U.S Constitution.
The groups filed their suit on December 24, 2009. On June 16, 2010, the federal court overruled a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, permitting the ethanol groups to proceed with their claims.
"With these papers filed in federal court, the ethanol industry is seeking a preliminary injunction, as well as summary judgment, to halt implementation of the regulation. Our argument is that the regulation as written is unconstitutional and injurious to the domestic ethanol industry, and we don't believe a full trial is needed to decide that."
A hearing on the motions is scheduled for February 23, 2011.
The groups filed their suit on December 24, 2009. On June 16, 2010, the federal court overruled a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, permitting the ethanol groups to proceed with their claims.
"With these papers filed in federal court, the ethanol industry is seeking a preliminary injunction, as well as summary judgment, to halt implementation of the regulation. Our argument is that the regulation as written is unconstitutional and injurious to the domestic ethanol industry, and we don't believe a full trial is needed to decide that."
A hearing on the motions is scheduled for February 23, 2011.
Global Biofuels Alliance Launches Website & Welcomes New Members
Today, GBA has launched its website and welcomes new members to join the five founding members, who are existing biofuels producers, biofuels equipment manufacturer, and biofuels traders from various parts of the country. New members will have an opportunity to immediately participate in shaping the GBA’s advocacy agenda and strategy. In addition, members of the Global Biofuels Alliance have access to Tier 1 Health Effects testing data for biodiesel from an agreement we have with one of our founding members, Nextfuels, Inc.
The GBA’s current focus is to advocate for reinstating and extending the Federal Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit. In the future, GBA anticipates that federal incentive priorities for the biofuels industry will shift from the traditional tax credit to other policies. Therefore, the GBA will continually work with its members and with other national associations to shape future federal policies and legislation that will positively benefit small and medium sized companies active in the biofuels industry.
Global Biofuels Alliance Website
November 01, 2010
INEOS Bio Picks AMEC To Construct Its BioEnergy Center
INEOS Bio's joint venture (INEOS New Planet BioEnergy) has awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to build its bioenergy facility in Southeast Florida to AMEC of Tucker, GA. AMEC will provide engineering and construction expertise to build this first commercial scale facility, valued at over $100 million. The facility will produce eight million gallons of third-generation ethanol and six megawatts (gross) of renewable energy annually from renewable biomass including yard wastes and municipal solid waste, wood and vegetative wastes. AMEC was selected following an extensive evaluation process of qualified global EPC firms.
"This is a key milestone in bringing INEOS Bio's advanced Bioenergy technology to the US and global markets to help address the world's waste management challenges," said Peter Williams, CEO of INEOS Bio. "We offer a sustainable solution for energy independence which breaks the food-for-fuel chain and provides a plentiful supply of renewable bioenergy for new and developed markets," added Williams.
"INEOS Bio's partnership with AMEC brings us one step closer to opening the state-of-the-art BioEnergy Center in Indian River County, where it will bring both renewable energy and new green jobs," said Mark Niederschulte, COO of INEOS Bio. "We're confident that AMEC's experience and expertise in the biofuel sector will help INEOS New Planet BioEnergy accomplish a successful and timely completion of the much anticipated BioEnergy Center."
The BioEnergy Center, which will be located in Vero Beach, Florida comes at a time when the region is facing a 16% unemployment rate. The BioEnergy Center will provide 175 construction jobs as well as 50 full-time green jobs in the Treasure Coast community once the facility is completed. The project has already received its major permits and approvals from the State of Florida and the U.S. Government. The Indian River facility is scheduled to begin construction in 4th quarter of 2010 and begin production in 2012.
The heart of the INEOS Bio technology is a patented anaerobic fermentation step, through which naturally occurring bacteria convert gases derived directly from biomass into ethanol. Unlike other technologies that rely on one primary source of feedstock, the INEOS Bio process can produce ethanol and renewable energy from numerous feedstocks, including construction waste and municipal solid waste, forestry and agricultural waste, while breaking the link between food crops and ethanol production. This flexibility allows facilities, like the Florida BioEnergy Center, to be built anywhere in the world, wherever there is waste, providing jobs and locally sourced renewable energy for urban and rural communities.
Source : Press Release
"This is a key milestone in bringing INEOS Bio's advanced Bioenergy technology to the US and global markets to help address the world's waste management challenges," said Peter Williams, CEO of INEOS Bio. "We offer a sustainable solution for energy independence which breaks the food-for-fuel chain and provides a plentiful supply of renewable bioenergy for new and developed markets," added Williams.
"INEOS Bio's partnership with AMEC brings us one step closer to opening the state-of-the-art BioEnergy Center in Indian River County, where it will bring both renewable energy and new green jobs," said Mark Niederschulte, COO of INEOS Bio. "We're confident that AMEC's experience and expertise in the biofuel sector will help INEOS New Planet BioEnergy accomplish a successful and timely completion of the much anticipated BioEnergy Center."
The BioEnergy Center, which will be located in Vero Beach, Florida comes at a time when the region is facing a 16% unemployment rate. The BioEnergy Center will provide 175 construction jobs as well as 50 full-time green jobs in the Treasure Coast community once the facility is completed. The project has already received its major permits and approvals from the State of Florida and the U.S. Government. The Indian River facility is scheduled to begin construction in 4th quarter of 2010 and begin production in 2012.
The heart of the INEOS Bio technology is a patented anaerobic fermentation step, through which naturally occurring bacteria convert gases derived directly from biomass into ethanol. Unlike other technologies that rely on one primary source of feedstock, the INEOS Bio process can produce ethanol and renewable energy from numerous feedstocks, including construction waste and municipal solid waste, forestry and agricultural waste, while breaking the link between food crops and ethanol production. This flexibility allows facilities, like the Florida BioEnergy Center, to be built anywhere in the world, wherever there is waste, providing jobs and locally sourced renewable energy for urban and rural communities.
Source : Press Release