Two companies win 2008 Pulp and Paper Energy Efficiency Awards

From a press release issued by Governor Doyle:

NEENAH – Governor Jim Doyle today announced the 2008 Pulp and Paper Energy Efficiency Awards, recognizing Proctor and Gamble Corporation of Green Bay and Neenah Paper of Neenah for outstanding achievement in implementing an energy efficiency projects. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen presented the awards on behalf of the Governor at the Wisconsin Paper Council Annual meeting in Neenah. . . .

Proctor & Gamble Corporation won the 2008 Project for Innovation award for construction of a new energy efficient tissue paper machine at their Green Bay location. The machine uses new technology to deliver its product using 19% less natural gas and electricity than most modern machines. This improvement in energy efficiency will contribute significantly to Proctor and Gamble’s sustainability and energy goals.

Neenah Paper won the 2008 Project for Energy Efficiency Implementation award for its wastewater treatment facility optimization project. The project involved using variable frequency drives to improve the efficiency of the aeration system and feed forward dissolved oxygen control. The project also reduces turbidity in the final waste matter and prevents the release of 1,260 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.

Governor Doyle established the Pulp and Paper Energy Efficiency Award to recognize the Wisconsin pulp and/or paper mill that best shows outstanding achievement in implementing an energy efficiency project.

Living Green Wisconsin sends first newsletter

From the newsletter of Living Green Wisconsin:

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Living Green Wisconsin E-Newsletter!

The Living Green Wisconsin team would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the newest and what will surely become Wisconsin’s premier networking resource for all things green.

Living Green Wisconsin is launching our program with our first annual expo on September 6 & 7th, 2008 in Oshkosh. The event is open to all businesses the state of that have products and services that save energy, use biodegradable products, utilize recycling, are all natural or organic, deal in sustainable methods, and more!
This is the first phase of what Living Green Wisconsin has set out to do. Shortly following the expo we will be starting a speaker series that will concentrate on various subjects including energy conservation, gardening, commercial and residential construction, pet care and nutrition, landscaping, transportation, and more.

Our website will focus on becoming a directory of statewide organizations and companies that focus on Living Green. The directory will offer a brief description of the company or organization and its contact information and website link.

Your home can save YOU money!

How can your home save YOU money and help the earth at the same time? Find out in a talk on Green Building and Development, Good for the Community, Good for the Environment by Leon Church, President of Sweetwood Development Corporation of Appleton:

June 5th at 6:30 PM
Lower level of the Menasha City Library.

Mr. Church will be presenting at the monthly meeting of ECOS-FV, the local sustainability coalition of the Fox Valley.

Sweetwood Development is the developer of Neenah’s “Cottages at Woodside”, the new green community now under construction. Leon’s talk will be highlighting the many design aspects that make projects like his a deeper shade of green. Find out:

• What is sustainable development and what can it mean to YOU?
• How can you make better material and product selections?
• How can such developments improve the water quality for our community?
• How can alternative energy options be integrated into development?
• What are the green building guidelines that developers use today?

For over 20 years, Leon has ventured into design/build residential construction, residential and commercial remodeling, and land development, always striving to be innovative, always looking for a new twist to an old idea, and always testing the marketplace for acceptance of new concepts.

He notes that as is the case with many manufacturers and businesses across the state, the housing industry is becoming more aware of methods to build homes and develop neighborhoods in ways that complement and enhance the natural environment. Making them work together for the good of the environment and the good of humanity is the guiding force behind much of what we do in creating innovative yet affordable housing.
Builders and developers recognize the importance of planning for future generations while meeting the needs of today.

Leon is currently a member of the Wisconsin Builders Association Development Council and the Valley Home Builders Association Developers Council. He has been an integral part of the Green Tier development program and in May of 2007 was the first builder/developer to receive Wisconsin’s Tier 1 certification under the new ECCo-Dev Charter.

Questions about the evening event can be directed to Roger Kanitz, Co-Chair of ECOS-FV at 722-6438 or the office of Sweetwood Development at 739-4111.

Concerns aired in wind energy forum

From an article by Brian Paynter on WiscNews.com:

MAYVILLE — Jim Congdon said two friends living in the town of Byron are experiencing significant sound problems and constant blade flicker since the $250 million Forward Wind Energy Center began operating.

"It's extremely irritating," he said. "What is the company going to do with somebody like that?"

Laura Miner, asset manager associate for Chicago-based Invenergy Wind LLC, said it's currently fielding all complaints .

"What we did when we built the project was to have a 1,000-foot setback and try to prevent some of those things from happening," she said. "Now we're doing drive-by tests and going up to the houses to try to gauge what's going on."

Congdon said one of his friends lives 1,100 feet from a wind turbine and the other is 1,500 feet away.

"We built the project thinking that wouldn't happen," Miner said about the problems. "I don't mean to diminish the complaints at all, but sound is one of those things that's very subjective. So we want to make sure we get within what the (recommended) decibel level is."

Darrell Erb, operations and maintenance manager for Invenergy Wind, said wind turbine manufacturers determine the sound level and obviously if there is a problem they'll have to address it.

"They're are several things we can look at if that's going to be an issue but we won't know those until the (post-construction) sound study will be completed in June," he said.

Miner and Erb on Wednesday provided 30 people with an overview of the wind farm in the Brownsville area during the Lions Club monthly dinner meeting at the Mayville Golf Club.

Details released on nation's premier energy education event in Custer, Wisconsin

Join the Midwest Renewable Eenergy Association (MREA), RENEW Wisconsin, and thousands of others at the 19th annual Energy Fair June 20-22, 2008. The Fair will be held at MREA's headquarters, the ReNew the Earth Institute, located at 7558 Deer Road in Custer, WI. See the Travel and Accommodations page for directions and other information.

General Energy Fair Information
Since 1990, the Energy Fair has shown fairgoers how to change the world while having fun. Each summer the Fair transforms rural central Wisconsin into the global hot spot for renewable energy education. The Energy Fair is the world's largest renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living educational event of its kind. Please join us this year!

The Energy Fair features hundreds of workshops and exhibits all emphasizing clean energy & sustainable living and is fun for the whole family. In 2007, the Energy Fair hosted over 19,500 attendees. We hope to see you in 2008!

We Energies wind project begins commercial operation

From a press release issued by We Energies:

MILWAUKEE- We Energies’ Blue Sky Green Field wind project was placed into commercial service today. The 88 turbines have a demonstrated capacity of 145 megawatts and are expected to generate more than 328 million emission-free kilowatt hours annually - enough to power 36,000 homes.

“Blue Sky Green Field is one of several targeted efforts we’re undertaking to generate more energy from renewable resources,” said Rick Kuester, executive vice president of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, the parent of We Energies. “We appreciate the support we have received from our customers and from the communities of Calumet and Marshfield and northeast Fond du Lac County in making the project a reality.”

At a cost of approximately $300 million, the Blue Sky Green Field project consists of 88 Vestas Wind Systems turbines spread across 10,600 acres. Each turbine is capable of producing 1.65 megawatts of electricity. The V82 turbines have a hub height of approximately 262 feet and a blade length of 134 feet. From the foundation to the tip, each tower has a height 397 feet.

We Energies continues to pursue the development of additional renewable energy to meet customer demand and to meet the state of Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires utilities across the state to generate 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. “While the Blue Sky Green Field project is an important contributor to our renewable goals, We Energies will need to add several more renewable projects to meet the state mandate,” said Kuester.

A story by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also reports on Blue Sky Green Field and notes:

In addition, the 86-turbine Forward Wind Energy Center in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties was completed this month, said Mick Baird, Invenergy project manager.

'Expert' is way off target in comments about wind power

From a commentary in the Fond du Lac Reporter by Gary Trew, a Fond du Lac fluid power engineer and member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. He is working on a certification in renewable energy technology:

April 22 is known the world over as Earth Day.

Started in 1970 by Wisconsin governor and senator Gaylord Nelson, this day is now recognized globally as a time to raise environmental awareness.

How sad and unfortunate then that The Reporter chose Earth Day to publish a guest commentary against wind power, with the same old rhetoric, pseudo-science and misinformation that wind opponents have been spewing for years. Just like "Big Tobacco," wind opponents know that if the same lies are repeated loud enough, long enough, people will come to believe them.

So, let's look at some of the claims made by this latest "expert."

1. Wind turbines only work at wind-speeds of 25 to 55 mph. This is blatantly false. The GE 1.5 and Vestas V8-2 turbines, used for the projects in our area, produce maximum power at wind-speeds as low as 11 mph.

Buses and bikes help easing fuel crisis

From an editorial in the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Friday is Bike to Work Day, and it comes in the midst of Bike to Work Week. More than feel-good moments, these events should focus our attention on something that cannot be taken for granted — alternative transportation.

For a variety of reasons, more area residents are parking their cars and finding other ways to get about town by riding a bike or bus or walking. Reducing our carbon footprint is one factor, and so is coping with the rising price of gasoline.

Recently, a coalition of private and public interests created the first-ever Brown County Bicycle Map. Not simply a map that shows recreational bicycle trails, it highlights the best routes for everyday commuters. At $3 per copy, it’s a good investment for anyone who is riding a bicycle on a regular basis.

The map also includes some tips about riding in traffic. As bicycles and automobiles share the highway, it’s imperative that each obey traffic laws and respect each other’s right to the roadway.

Green Bay Metro has added bike racks on the buses because more and more riders are using a transportation mix. A commuter can ride to a bus stop, then take a bus to his or her destination. By doing so, the commuter can save money on gasoline and parking fees.

Bicycles aren’t the only alternative form of transportation seeing increased usage.

According to Green Bay Metro transit General Manager Christopher Phelps, adult bus ridership in April was almost 25 percent greater than during the same month a year ago. In fact, all categories of ridership were up and the metro transit system carried 25,741 more passengers this April than the month a year ago.

Sunny Weather Boosts Solar Olympics

From a story on WBAY-TV Green Bay:

Students from a record number of area high schools took advantage of Wednesday's sunshine at the annual Solar Olympics.

About 350 students on 27 teams took part in several competitions at U.W.-Green Bay, including solar cooking, solar cars, and solar art.

"Solar Olympics is really designed to show students that solar energy and other renewable energy forms really can play an important part in our energy future," said Wisconsin Public Service renewable energy product manager Chip Bircher, "and we hope that by participating in the event today that they really will see the potential for renewable energy and put it to practice in their own life."

The Solar Olympics is in its twelfth year. It's sponsored by WPS.

U.S. could get 20% of electricity from wind by 2030

From a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Energy:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released a first-of-its kind report that examines the technical feasibility of harnessing wind power to provide up to 20 percent of the nation’s total electricity needs by 2030. Entitled “20 Percent Wind Energy by 2030”, the report identifies requirements to achieve this goal including reducing the cost of wind technologies, citing new transmission infrastructure, and enhancing domestic manufacturing capability. Most notably, the report identifies opportunities for 7.6 cumulative gigatons of CO2 to be avoided by 2030, saving 825 million metric tons in 2030 and every year thereafter if wind energy achieves 20 percent of the nation’s electricity mix. As part of President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative announced in 2006, clean, secure and sustainable wind energy has the potential to play an increasingly important role in the Bush Administration’s long-term energy strategy to make investments today to fundamentally change the way we power U.S. homes and businesses and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions growth by 2025.

Legislative committee will study renewable fuels

From a press release issued by State Senator Keitlow and State Rep. Suder:

(Madison) The Joint Legislative Council has announced the creation of a study committee to look into the economic and environmental impact of the development and use of renewable fuels in Wisconsin. Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) were named co-chairs of the non-partisan study group, which will be made up of legislators, citizens and industry experts.

“There is a lot of outdated and inaccurate data out there about bio-diesel, ethanol and renewable fuels in general. It seems every time the legislature looks into making renewable fuel policy that can benefit our state’s economy, that misinformation gets in the way,” said Kreitlow. “This committee will give us an
opportunity to take a fresh look at the issue from all sides, and give the legislature up to date and current information about the current status of renewable fuels. This way, when the legislature considers renewable fuel policies in the future, we can make decisions based on relevant facts, rather than old rumors. And where genuine barriers are found to renewable fuels’ efficiency, price or environmental impact, we can fairly assess what needs to be done to address those concerns.”

Kreitlow and Suder requested the creation of the study committee to examine the often controversial issues surrounding bio-fuel. The group will seek voices from all perspectives to help determine the best course

Students show off sleek, energy-efficient vehicles

From an article by Jim Collar of the Post-Crescent East:

KIMBERLY — They may not have the looks of a Corvette or the appeal of the latest sport utility vehicle.

But vehicles built by high school students as part of a Fox Valley Technical College program last week shared characteristics that carry a definite "wow factor" in today's economy.

With gas prices continuing to reach near-record highs, who isn't interested in a vehicle that could make a trip to Milwaukee or Chicago on a single gallon of gas?

High schools students from throughout the state gathered in the Fox Cities on May 2 and 3 for Fox Valley Technical College's Energy Efficient Vehicle Challenge. Little Chute, Kimberly and Kaukauna teams participated in the challenge, which included events at the technical college's Grand Chute campus and the Wisconsin International Raceway. In all, 61 teams participated.

Kimberly brought two cars to this year's event. One of its gasoline-powered vehicles took second place in the stock engine class.

Technology teacher Kevin Janota said the vehicle averages 240 miles per gallon.

"We should start building them and selling them," he joked.

The two-day event included categories for electric and fossil fuel-powered engines. Teams built 26 electric vehicles for the event and 35 fossil-fuel cars.

Little Chute High School's gas-powered car was averaging 109 miles per gallon as the team prepared for events on May 2.

UW-Oshkosh puts computers to sleep, saves $9,000 annually

From an article on the Energy Star Web site:

Like many organizations, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh) computer labs kept their PCs powered 24 hours a day to accommodate students and nightly software updates. While the updates were critical for maintaining a healthy and secure network, the UW Oshkosh Academic Computing department realized that a great deal of energy was being wasted. Convinced that there must be a better way, UW-Oshkosh ultimately found the answer at www.energystar.gov/powermanagement. Using built-in Windows Wake on LAN (WOL) functions, a free network tool provided by EPA called EZ GPO, and about 3 hours of staff time, UW Oshkosh was able to:

+ Place 485 computers into a low-power “sleep,”
+ Continue to update lab computers every night, and
+ Save over $9,000 annually (at 5 cents/kWh).1

Read how they did it…

Plymouth company installs solar panels on recycled baby diaper shingles

From an article by Linda McAlpine on GM Today:

WAUKESHA - From the faux-slate shingles made of recycled baby diapers and rooftop solar panels to its engineered wood floors, the house being built at 1512 Rock Ridge Way in Waukesha is anything but traditional.

The 2,100 square-foot house is the 2008 Wisconsin Trend Home and when completed later this summer will house the latest in energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technology.

Starting at the top, Tim O’Brien, of O’Brien Homes, Waukesha, builder of the home, walked through some of its cutting edge highlights.

"The shingles, which look like slate, are made of recycled baby diapers, tires and plastic bottles," he said. "Because they’re light, they don’t need the structure to support them so you need less wood. You’re doing something good for the environment by using product made from recycled material. They also have a 50-year life span."

According to Lisa Schaal, solar site assessor for Sol Power, Milwaukee, the 20 solar panels on the roof enable the house to use about 500 or less kilowatts per month, compared with the average home electricity usage of 800 kilowatts per month.

Dave Schwabenlender, of Arch Electric, LLC of Plymouth, said the panels will generate power even on cloudy days.

Focus on Energy awards $973K for bioenergy projects

From an article in The Capital Times:

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced that it has awarded grants totaling more than $973,000 to help finance the installation of five Wisconsin bioenergy projects.

Bioenergy is energy derived from any biological material that can be used as fuel; this fuel is burned or converted in systems that produce heat, electricity, or both heat and power. The bioenergy projects being completed include anaerobic digesters and a biomass wood energy system.

When completed, the projects will generate approximately 837 kilowatts and 6,232,300 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, enough to power 626 average Wisconsin homes and provide the equivalent heating for 1,336 homes. The annual environmental benefits of the five projects are equivalent to offsetting the burning of 3,116 tons of coal, or the emissions from 2,109 cars and the release of 14,465 tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

The grants went to anaerobic digestion projects at Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy, Kewaunee; Quantum Dairy, Weyauwega; Volm Farms, Kewaskum; and United Liquid Waste Recyclers, Watertown; and a biomass wood energy system at Action Floor Systems, Mercer.

Manitowoc wind-tower company set to expand

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

More expansion is in the works for Tower Tech Systems Inc. of Manitowoc after its parent company raised $100 million in a stock sale.

Tower Tech is a manufacturer of towers used in wind power projects, a growth area within the manufacturing sector given the record pace in the expansion of wind power generation projects across the country.

For Tower Tech, growth is buoyed in part by an agreement it signed this month to supply wind towers to a subsidiary of the Spanish company Gamesa, a leading player in the global wind industry.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but Broadwind says it is the largest single order for towers placed by Gamesa with a North American tower manufacturer. Delivery from Manitowoc of the 256-foot, four-section wind towers for Gamesa begins this month.

"That's a significant arrangement to lock in with one of the premier and major wind developers in the U.S.," said Jeff Anthony of Milwaukee, a manager at the American Wind Energy Association and an active participant in Wisconsin's renewable-energy sector.

"Gamesa is establishing their presence in the U.S. and is one of the fastest-growing wind turbine suppliers and project developers in the U.S."

Broadwind Energy Inc. of Naperville, Ill., Tower Tech's parent company, said it planned to raise $100 million through sale of stock to investment funds managed by Tontine Associates. A separate agreement with an unidentified partner would result in additional financing, Broadwind said.

The proceeds will be used to "accelerate . . . current expansion plans" as well as acquisitions and investments in plans to grow production, the company said.

Lars Moller, chief operating officer, said the company would be poised to expand its production of towers and gears from current locations in Manitowoc and elsewhere, as well as through new factories "strategically placed throughout North America. . . ."

Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm almost operational

From an article by Brett Rowland in The Reporter (Fond du Lac):

JOHNSBURG — The status of the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm has generated a lot of hot air from locals, but operator We Energies said the 88 turbines haven't started generating power.

Blue Sky Green Field remains under construction as We Energies tests the turbines, said company spokesman Barry McNulty.

In recent weeks, locals have called and e-mailed The Reporter with rumors about the project, including that it had been shut down due to stray voltage. Another rumor presented to The Reporter stated the turbines were not constructed properly and the blades could come loose.

McNulty denied those rumors and said the project is progressing according to schedule.

"It just goes to show that it doesn't matter the type of fuel — nuclear, solar, wind — there will always be those who subject themselves to rumor," he said.

The wind farm is located about 15 miles northeast of the city of Fond du Lac in the towns of Marshfield and Calumet.

A contractor has erected all the turbines and now We Energies is conducting comprehensive tests on each unit. Some have been spinning during test runs, while others remain dormant. McNulty said 60 of the 88 turbines are able to rotate, while work on the others remains in progress.

"The turbines have been spinning at times, but have been taken offline at times," McNulty said.

McNulty said commercial operations at Blue Sky Green Field would begin about the end of May. . . .