The August 4th Meeting of ECOS-FV will explore the potential of the ECOS organization and discuss a consideration of its dissolution in the near future.
We believe we need to hold this discussion as attendance at our educational presentations and planning meetings have been low for quite some time. People seem to have found other ways to obtain information and show their support for sustainable activities and projects in the community.
Yet we also want to highlight that this end can be averted if we have members that want to “take up the torch of the fire soul” and provide the coalition with new energy and direction. The genesis for such a potential renewal lies in the fact that the ECOS organization has strong name recognition in the Valley, a great communication network, a large e-mail base and a well maintained blog site (thanks to Ed Blume at Renew Wisconsin)!
We sincerely hope to see you and hear your thoughts on this important topic…
Date: Thursday, August 4th
Place: Menasha Library, Company E Room in lower level
Time: 6:30 PM
All meetings are Free and Open to the Public!
ECOS Meeting Agenda – August 4
1) Welcome
2) Review past accomplishments of ECOS
3) Discuss the future of ECOS
4) Adjourn
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Unique two-bladed turbine makes Wisconsin debut in Winnebago County
Immediate release
July 28, 2011More information
Randy Faller – rfaller@wi.rr.com
Maureen Faller - maureen.fallergmail.com
Kettle View Renewable Energy
http://www.kettleviewre.com
920.994.9433
Unique Two-bladed Turbine Debuts in Wisconsin
“You might do a double-take when you first see it,” admits Randy Faller, owner of Kettle View.
The electricity production from the first two-blader installed in Wisconsin and fourth in the United States has been “incredible,” according to Faller, “even during last June, when winds were really light.” And it’s quieter than other small turbines.
At wind speeds between 9 and 14 miles per hour, the 11 kilowatt Gaia in the Town of Clayton, Winnebago County, will out perform a turbine rated at 20 kilowatts. With a little more fine-tuning, Faller expects even better production. “It’s only been up a month and a half,” Faller said.
“No single turbine on the market fills every need at every site. Every brand of turbines has advantages and disadvantages. The Gaia (pronounced GUY-ah) works well in locations with lower wind speeds,” commented Faller, “like we have at many Wisconsin locations.”
Part of the Gaia’s generating power comes from longer blades than those on a three-bladed turbine. With a rotor diameter of 42.6 feet, the two-bladed Gaia can capture up to 80% more energy, according to the U.S. distributors Web site (www.tacoelectronics.com).
“Hundreds of Gaia’s have been installed throughout Europe since the turbine was first developed in Denmark in the 1990s,” explained Faller.
Equipped with a durable gearbox, well-built mechanics, and streamlined design, Faller expects the Gaia to perform reliably during Wisconsin’s winters.
However, Wisconsin’s future for wind energy doesn’t look bright for Gaia or any other turbine, according to Faller, who calls the current situation “scary.”
The Legislature suspended statewide standards for permitting wind energy systems. “The small wind section of those standards was a great thing. Towns and counties could use it as a guide. Now everything’s open to interpretation when a landowner applies for a permit,” Faller said.
He also expects his business to be hurt by budget cuts imposed by the Legislature on Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable programs. Individual utility support for customer-sited renewable systems has also been cut back.
“My wife and I built the business to the point where we employ three other full-time employees, one part-timer, and occasionally subcontract some work. If we don’t have work in Wisconsin, we’ll go out of state. But why should I have to leave my own state to work?”
Prior to starting Kettle View in 2006, Faller “got tired of sitting behind a desk. It’s exciting,” he says, “to make our own power right in your own backyard.”
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Burning Questions: Making a case for renewable energy
From an article in the Appleton Post Crescent:
A report released last week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, called "A Bright Future for the Heartland," contends that Wisconsin and other Midwestern states can revitalize their economy and save their consumers money by making the kind of investments recommended by a group of Midwestern governors a few years ago.
The report was the topic of a discussion Wednesday at the Fox Valley Technical College in Grand Chute — and was also the topic of our Newsmakers online interview show at postcrescent.com.
The guests were Jeff Deyette, a renewable energy analyst with the Union, and Jeff Ehlers, the president of Renewegy, an Oshkosh company that makes small-scale wind turbines.
Here's an edited transcript of the interview:
What are the findings of the report?
Deyette: We believe that there's tremendous economic opportunity for Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwest by investing in renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, bioenergy resources such as switchgrass and investing in energy efficiency.
Our analysis looked at, what if Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwestern states significantly increased the policies they have for investing in those technologies?
What we found was, not surprisingly, that these technologies in addition to providing more local, cleaner energy sources for the state would deliver some significant economic benefits — about 11,000 new jobs by 2030, $2.7 billion in new investment paying for renewable energy projects, making our homes and businesses more energy efficient.
Consumers win out in this policy, as well. Because of the investment in energy efficiency, homes, businesses and industrial users can save as much as $6 billion over a 20-year period. The typical household would see savings averaging about $100 per year. It's good for business, it's good for job creation and it's good for consumers.
A report released last week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, called "A Bright Future for the Heartland," contends that Wisconsin and other Midwestern states can revitalize their economy and save their consumers money by making the kind of investments recommended by a group of Midwestern governors a few years ago.
The report was the topic of a discussion Wednesday at the Fox Valley Technical College in Grand Chute — and was also the topic of our Newsmakers online interview show at postcrescent.com.
The guests were Jeff Deyette, a renewable energy analyst with the Union, and Jeff Ehlers, the president of Renewegy, an Oshkosh company that makes small-scale wind turbines.
Here's an edited transcript of the interview:
What are the findings of the report?
Deyette: We believe that there's tremendous economic opportunity for Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwest by investing in renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, bioenergy resources such as switchgrass and investing in energy efficiency.
Our analysis looked at, what if Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwestern states significantly increased the policies they have for investing in those technologies?
What we found was, not surprisingly, that these technologies in addition to providing more local, cleaner energy sources for the state would deliver some significant economic benefits — about 11,000 new jobs by 2030, $2.7 billion in new investment paying for renewable energy projects, making our homes and businesses more energy efficient.
Consumers win out in this policy, as well. Because of the investment in energy efficiency, homes, businesses and industrial users can save as much as $6 billion over a 20-year period. The typical household would see savings averaging about $100 per year. It's good for business, it's good for job creation and it's good for consumers.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
National Study Vindicates Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Policies
Immediate release
July 18, 2011
More information
Michael Vickerman
Executive Director
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Reviewing data gathered between 2003 and 2010, the Brookings analysis pegged the number of clean economy jobs in the state at 76,858, a net increase of nearly 4,000. Measured as a percentage, Wisconsin’s clean economy accounted for 2.7% of all jobs in the state, compared with 2.5% for Iowa, 2.1% for Minnesota, 1.9 % for both Indiana and Michigan, and 1.8% for Illinois. Overall, Wisconsin ranked 8th among all states and the District of Columbia in the relative size of its clean economy.
The report categorizes clean economy jobs as those in energy efficiency and renewable energy; sustainable forestry products; recycling and reuse; waste management and treatment; organic food and farming; energy efficient appliance and building manufacturing; and more.
“Clearly, Wisconsin’s commitment to clean energy has paid dividends, attracting new businesses and creating high-paying jobs that could have easily gone elsewhere,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide organization advocating for public policies and private initiatives that advance renewable energy.
These policies and initiatives include the establishment of Focus on Energy, the region’s first ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable energy program, attractive buyback rates offered by utilities for renewable energy, and innovative incentives to encourage customer installation of renewables.
In addition, Wisconsin’s adoption of a 10% renewable energy standard back in 2006 spurred new utility-scale installations built by skilled tradesmen employed by local contractors. During the study period, the number of wind-related jobs in Wisconsin doubled from less than 450 to 900.
As documented in the Brookings report, the wages for these clean economy jobs run higher than the statewide average ($37,931 vs. $35,906).
“Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s clean economy is in danger of losing a good deal of its steam as a result of policy rollbacks and funding cutbacks in the renewable energy arena,” Vickerman said. “The short-sighted attacks we’ve seen in 2011 could throw the state’s clean economy into reverse next year.”
So far this year, the Legislature has reduced funding for Focus on Energy, suspended the statewide rule regulating the permitting of wind turbines, and weakened the state’s renewable energy standard by allowing utilities to count Canadian hydropower toward their requirements.
“On top of that, We Energies, the state’s largest utility, announced that it will discontinue what had been an effective renewable energy initiative,” Vickerman said. “Among other accomplishments, it was instrumental in enabling Helios USA to build a solar-electric manufacturing facility in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley.” The plant now employs 50 workers.
July 18, 2011
More information
Michael Vickerman
Executive Director
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
National Study Vindicates Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Policies
Nearly a decade of forward-looking strategies propelled investments in Wisconsin’s clean jobs economy above other Midwest states, according to an economic study issued by The Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan public policy organization in Washington, D.C.Reviewing data gathered between 2003 and 2010, the Brookings analysis pegged the number of clean economy jobs in the state at 76,858, a net increase of nearly 4,000. Measured as a percentage, Wisconsin’s clean economy accounted for 2.7% of all jobs in the state, compared with 2.5% for Iowa, 2.1% for Minnesota, 1.9 % for both Indiana and Michigan, and 1.8% for Illinois. Overall, Wisconsin ranked 8th among all states and the District of Columbia in the relative size of its clean economy.
The report categorizes clean economy jobs as those in energy efficiency and renewable energy; sustainable forestry products; recycling and reuse; waste management and treatment; organic food and farming; energy efficient appliance and building manufacturing; and more.
“Clearly, Wisconsin’s commitment to clean energy has paid dividends, attracting new businesses and creating high-paying jobs that could have easily gone elsewhere,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide organization advocating for public policies and private initiatives that advance renewable energy.
These policies and initiatives include the establishment of Focus on Energy, the region’s first ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable energy program, attractive buyback rates offered by utilities for renewable energy, and innovative incentives to encourage customer installation of renewables.
In addition, Wisconsin’s adoption of a 10% renewable energy standard back in 2006 spurred new utility-scale installations built by skilled tradesmen employed by local contractors. During the study period, the number of wind-related jobs in Wisconsin doubled from less than 450 to 900.
As documented in the Brookings report, the wages for these clean economy jobs run higher than the statewide average ($37,931 vs. $35,906).
“Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s clean economy is in danger of losing a good deal of its steam as a result of policy rollbacks and funding cutbacks in the renewable energy arena,” Vickerman said. “The short-sighted attacks we’ve seen in 2011 could throw the state’s clean economy into reverse next year.”
So far this year, the Legislature has reduced funding for Focus on Energy, suspended the statewide rule regulating the permitting of wind turbines, and weakened the state’s renewable energy standard by allowing utilities to count Canadian hydropower toward their requirements.
“On top of that, We Energies, the state’s largest utility, announced that it will discontinue what had been an effective renewable energy initiative,” Vickerman said. “Among other accomplishments, it was instrumental in enabling Helios USA to build a solar-electric manufacturing facility in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley.” The plant now employs 50 workers.
END
RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sector initiatives. More information on RENEW’s Web site at www.renewwisconsin.org.Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Northeast Wisconsin Climate Change Workshop, September 13, 2011
Safeguarding our economy, environment, and quality of life
A workshop to build local and regional climate planning capacity in the Great Lakes
Who Should Attend: Planners and other professionals addressing land use, public health, stormwater, emergency preparedness, and natural resource management issues.
Workshops include
•Climate change impacts in the Great Lakes region
•Economic benefits of climate planning
•Planning processes and strategies
•Tools, data, and resources
•Regional examples of climate planning
•Stakeholder engagement strategies
•Strategies for incorporating resilience into current planning initiatives
A workshop to build local and regional climate planning capacity in the Great Lakes
Who Should Attend: Planners and other professionals addressing land use, public health, stormwater, emergency preparedness, and natural resource management issues.
Workshops include
•Climate change impacts in the Great Lakes region
•Economic benefits of climate planning
•Planning processes and strategies
•Tools, data, and resources
•Regional examples of climate planning
•Stakeholder engagement strategies
•Strategies for incorporating resilience into current planning initiatives
Monday, July 18, 2011
Empowered: Clean Energy in Northeast Wisconsin
Empowered: Clean Energy in Northeast Wisconsin
The Union of Concerned Scientists is holding the panel discussion in conjunction with Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) to show what clean energy can do for Northeast Wisconsin.
The panel will take place on Wednesday, July 20, 4:00–6:00 p.m. at FVTC: D.J. Bordini Business & Industry Center-Conference Center (room 103), 5 Systems Drive, Appleton, WI 54912-2277. The panel will feature Jeff Deyette, senior energy analyst and co-author of UCS’s new report A Bright Future for the Heartland: Powering the Midwest Economy with Clean Energy. He will be joined by local sustainability educators, business spokespeople, and government officials, including Tom Nelson, County Executive, Outagamie County and Linda Bartelt, Executive Director, Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance
Event Features:
♦ Displays from local colleges, businesses and organizations
that promote clean energy
♦ Optional tours of Fox Valley Technical College's
Sustainable Technology Center
Location:
FVTC's D.J. Bordini Center
5 Systems Drive, Appleton
For More Information:
Contact Allison Donnelly at adonnelly@ucsusa.org or (312) 578-1750
Friday, July 15, 2011
Wind farm plan gets green light -- in Illinois
While Wisconsin's hostility toward wind generation kills projects in the state, wind generation projects continue to create jobs and energy independence in surrounding states, according to this article in The News Gazzette, Champaign, IL:
DANVILLE — The Vermilion County Board authorized construction of the first wind turbine farm in the county Tuesday night despite objections from several local residents and incomplete information in the developer's application.
The 27-member board voted 21-1, with four members absent and one seat vacant, to grant Chicago-based Invenergy a building permit to construct 104 wind turbines in west central Vermilion County.
Invenergy also submitted on July 1 its application to the Champaign County zoning board for a special-use permit to build 30 wind turbines as part of the same project in east central Champaign County. Invenergy officials said they hope construction in Vermilion County can start by the end of the year.
The lone no vote at Tuesday's Vermilion County Board meeting came from member Terry Stal, D-District 4, who said after the meeting that he voted that way because the county should have all its agreements with Invenergy in place before the permit is issued. He said his vote reflected a procedural objection.
DANVILLE — The Vermilion County Board authorized construction of the first wind turbine farm in the county Tuesday night despite objections from several local residents and incomplete information in the developer's application.
The 27-member board voted 21-1, with four members absent and one seat vacant, to grant Chicago-based Invenergy a building permit to construct 104 wind turbines in west central Vermilion County.
Invenergy also submitted on July 1 its application to the Champaign County zoning board for a special-use permit to build 30 wind turbines as part of the same project in east central Champaign County. Invenergy officials said they hope construction in Vermilion County can start by the end of the year.
The lone no vote at Tuesday's Vermilion County Board meeting came from member Terry Stal, D-District 4, who said after the meeting that he voted that way because the county should have all its agreements with Invenergy in place before the permit is issued. He said his vote reflected a procedural objection.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Fond du Lac Energy Tour, July 29
A guided bus tour of businesses using cutting-edge technologies and land use concepts to lower costs, protect natural resources, & strengthen the local economy.
Who Should Attend: Government officials; Business & industry representatives; Conservation group delegates; Interested local residents.
Date: Friday, July 29, 2011 - Time: 8:30am — 12:00pm
Cost: $10 (cash or check to UW-Extension)
Departing From & Returning To: UW-Fond du Lac (north parking lot), 400 University Dr., Fond du Lac
To Register Contact: 920/929-3173 or diana.tscheschlok@ces.uwex.edu. Space is limited.
Can’t Wait? Take a virtual tour online at www.FDLHealthyAir.com.
Visited on the Tour:
Harris-Morris Residence
This house is equipped with a tankless water heater and a geothermal pond system that provides both heat and air conditioning. Talk to the family about how they chose these technologies and their experiences using them.
Wildlife Acres
Lot orientations in this subdivision maximize possibilities for houses to be built with passive solar and geothermal systems. A stocked retention pond can be used for fishing and watering lawns.
Mid-States Aluminum Corporation
This company has saved $86,000 per year on energy costs thanks to Lean Six Sigma techniques and a volunteer Energy Team. Learn about the process they used to involve associates in conservation projects and the unexpected places they found savings.
J. F. Ahern
Tour their LEED Gold headquarters and see the “greenwater” system that captures and reuses rainwater, an efficient ice storage system for cooling, and the atrium with unique indoor air quality and lighting features.
Who Should Attend: Government officials; Business & industry representatives; Conservation group delegates; Interested local residents.
Date: Friday, July 29, 2011 - Time: 8:30am — 12:00pm
Cost: $10 (cash or check to UW-Extension)
Departing From & Returning To: UW-Fond du Lac (north parking lot), 400 University Dr., Fond du Lac
To Register Contact: 920/929-3173 or diana.tscheschlok@ces.uwex.edu. Space is limited.
Can’t Wait? Take a virtual tour online at www.FDLHealthyAir.com.
Visited on the Tour:
Harris-Morris Residence
This house is equipped with a tankless water heater and a geothermal pond system that provides both heat and air conditioning. Talk to the family about how they chose these technologies and their experiences using them.
Wildlife Acres
Lot orientations in this subdivision maximize possibilities for houses to be built with passive solar and geothermal systems. A stocked retention pond can be used for fishing and watering lawns.
Mid-States Aluminum Corporation
This company has saved $86,000 per year on energy costs thanks to Lean Six Sigma techniques and a volunteer Energy Team. Learn about the process they used to involve associates in conservation projects and the unexpected places they found savings.
J. F. Ahern
Tour their LEED Gold headquarters and see the “greenwater” system that captures and reuses rainwater, an efficient ice storage system for cooling, and the atrium with unique indoor air quality and lighting features.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Play Again" Documentary Screening - TONIGHT!
Tuesday, July 12th 7:00-8:30pm
Bubolz Nature Preserve Auditorium
"Through the voices of children and leading experts including journalist Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, educators Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, neuroscientist Gary Small, parks advocate Charles Jordan, and geneticist David Suzuki, PLAY AGAIN investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature and encourages action for a sustainable future.
"It is a powerful film, revealing that we are allowing our young people to be so profoundly disconnected from the natural world and denying them the opportunity to fully develop their senses. How uplifting to see these young adults grow before our eyes under the nurturing and stimulating effects of their wilderness experience. We are left with the redeeming message that it is not too late! We can and must unplug our children, give them the access to the natural world that is so essential to their development, and restore childhood!" Robin Mann, President, The Sierra Club.
The screening is free but seating is limited, so register now to guarantee a spot. Please contact Josh Bray to register or for more information at 920-731-6041 or at www.bubolzpreserve.org
Bubolz Nature Preserve Auditorium
"Through the voices of children and leading experts including journalist Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, educators Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, neuroscientist Gary Small, parks advocate Charles Jordan, and geneticist David Suzuki, PLAY AGAIN investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature and encourages action for a sustainable future.
"It is a powerful film, revealing that we are allowing our young people to be so profoundly disconnected from the natural world and denying them the opportunity to fully develop their senses. How uplifting to see these young adults grow before our eyes under the nurturing and stimulating effects of their wilderness experience. We are left with the redeeming message that it is not too late! We can and must unplug our children, give them the access to the natural world that is so essential to their development, and restore childhood!" Robin Mann, President, The Sierra Club.
The screening is free but seating is limited, so register now to guarantee a spot. Please contact Josh Bray to register or for more information at 920-731-6041 or at www.bubolzpreserve.org
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wisconsin’s Widening War on Renewable Energy
Dramatic Slowdown in Market Activity Anticipated
By Michael Vickerman
July 11, 2011
What started out as an opening salvo from the Walker Administration to shackle large-scale wind projects has in six months turned into a systematic campaign to dismantle the state policies that support renewable energy development. Joining the executive and legislative branches in pursuing policy rollbacks and/or funding cutbacks against renewables are various utilities and, surprisingly, Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable programs.
Since January 1st, Wisconsin has seen a series of assaults against utility-scale projects and smaller renewable systems serving both residences and businesses. These include the following actions:
By Michael Vickerman
July 11, 2011
What started out as an opening salvo from the Walker Administration to shackle large-scale wind projects has in six months turned into a systematic campaign to dismantle the state policies that support renewable energy development. Joining the executive and legislative branches in pursuing policy rollbacks and/or funding cutbacks against renewables are various utilities and, surprisingly, Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s ratepayer-funded energy efficiency and renewable programs.
Since January 1st, Wisconsin has seen a series of assaults against utility-scale projects and smaller renewable systems serving both residences and businesses. These include the following actions:
- The Legislature suspended PSC 128, the statewide rule developed by the Public Service Commission last year in response to a law passed by the Legislature in 2009 ordering the agency to establish uniform standards for permitting wind energy systems. Since the March 1 suspension vote, wind development in Wisconsin has slowed to a standstill.
- The Legislature adopted SB 81, a bill that RENEW Wisconsin describes as the “Outsource Renewable Energy to Canada Act.” SB 81 allows Wisconsin utilities to meet their renewable energy requirements beginning in 2015 with electricity generated from large hydropower plants in other states and Canada. By allowing Wisconsin utilities to become even more dependent on energy imports than they are today, SB 81 turns Wisconsin’s Renewable Energy Standard on its head. Importing large-scale hydropower exports the very dollars that could have been used to harness Wisconsin’s renewable energy resources.
- We Energies, the state’s largest electric utility, abruptly decided in May to walk away from an agreement with RENEW to dedicate $60 million over a 10-year period in support of renewable energy development in its territory. The decision came in the sixth year of this program. We Energies plans to reallocate the unspent dollars (totaling about $27 million) to general operations.
- Green Bay-based Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) instituted in April a new net energy policy designed to discourage new customer-sited renewable energy systems. Until recently WPS had been paying its customers the full retail rate for electricity that flows back on the wires, which is now about 12 cents/kWh. But under the new rate, WPS only pays three cents/kWh for electricity exported to the grid. Moreover, the utility calculates the net each month, which penalizes customers whose loads vary significantly depending on seasonal factors. Right now, the new policy only covers systems installed after March 2011, but WPS has said that it plans to apply that rate to older systems effective January 2013.
- In its deliberations on the biennial state budget passed in June, the Legislature appended a rider to tie Focus on Energy’s annual budget to a percentage (1.2% of gross utility revenues). This action will mean a cut of $20 million in the program’s 2012 budget relative to this year’s allocation of $120 million. The Focus on Energy program provides grants and cash-back awards supporting customer investments in solar electric, solar thermal systems, small wind, biogas and biomass energy systems.
- Last, but certainly not least, as of July 1, Focus on Energy stopped accepting applications for business program incentives to help customers install renewable energy systems. These incentives, which average about $7 million per year, had been available since 2002 to businesses, farms, schools, local governments and other nonprofit customers. It is not clear when these incentives will be resumed and in what quantity.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
City of Sheboygan wins sustainability award for self-powering wastewater treatment plant
From a news release issued by Capstone Turbine Corporation:
CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST - News), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin received a prestigious award from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) for nearing self-sufficiency at its wastewater treatment plant using Capstone microturbines.
The city of Sheboygan was the only GLSLCI member city in the U.S. and Canada to receive the Wege Small Cities Sustainability Best Practices Award, which recognizes GLSLCI member cities working to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, restore them, and improve the quality of the water resources for future generations. GLSLCI is a bi-national coalition of mayors and other local officials that work actively with federal, state, and provincial governments.
Rather than flare excess methane gas -- the byproduct from sewage treatment processes that has a greenhouse gas impact on the atmosphere 21 times greater than carbon dioxide -- the Sheboygan plant uses the methane to fuel 10 Capstone C30 and two C200 microturbines in a combined heat and power (CHP) application. Using waste methane as fuel, the microturbines fulfill 90 percent of the plant's annual energy needs and nearly eliminate the need to purchase natural gas for heating.
"We wanted something that made sense for the bottom line and the environment," said Dale Doerr, the plant's Superintendent. "The Capstone cogeneration system helps protect the environment and keep our costs down."
CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST - News), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin received a prestigious award from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) for nearing self-sufficiency at its wastewater treatment plant using Capstone microturbines.
The city of Sheboygan was the only GLSLCI member city in the U.S. and Canada to receive the Wege Small Cities Sustainability Best Practices Award, which recognizes GLSLCI member cities working to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, restore them, and improve the quality of the water resources for future generations. GLSLCI is a bi-national coalition of mayors and other local officials that work actively with federal, state, and provincial governments.
Rather than flare excess methane gas -- the byproduct from sewage treatment processes that has a greenhouse gas impact on the atmosphere 21 times greater than carbon dioxide -- the Sheboygan plant uses the methane to fuel 10 Capstone C30 and two C200 microturbines in a combined heat and power (CHP) application. Using waste methane as fuel, the microturbines fulfill 90 percent of the plant's annual energy needs and nearly eliminate the need to purchase natural gas for heating.
"We wanted something that made sense for the bottom line and the environment," said Dale Doerr, the plant's Superintendent. "The Capstone cogeneration system helps protect the environment and keep our costs down."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sheboygan wastewater facility generates enough energy to be self-powered
From an article by Dan Benson in the Sheboygan Press:
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Funding Hiatus Darkens Outlook for In-State Renewables
Immediate release
July 5, 2011
More information
Michael Vickerman
Executive Director
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Funding Hiatus Darkens Outlook for In-State Renewables
For the first time in its 11-year history, Focus on Energy is no longer accepting applications from Wisconsin businesses and nonprofit entities seeking to install renewable energy systems. This new policy took effect July 1.
According to Focus on Energy officials, this suspension of financial incentives is necessary to balance demand for renewable energy systems with available funds. In 2009, Focus on Energy allocated approximately $10 million to support customer-sited renewable energy systems. More than half of that allocation went to businesses, farmers, local governments, schools, and nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
“We recognize that Focus on Energy officials have a responsibility to ensure that outflows don’t exceed revenues. However, this suspension could not have occurred at a worse time for Wisconsin’s renewable energy contractors,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin.
“Unfortunately, this move coincides with Milwaukee-based We Energies’ decision to walk away from an agreement with RENEW Wisconsin to commit $60 million over a 10-year period to develop renewable energy within its territory,” Vickerman said. ‘We Energies disclosed its unilateral action in May, barely more than halfway into honoring its commitment.”
“Given the adverse environment for renewable energy right now in Wisconsin, we hope that the interruption amounts to nothing more than a brief timeout,” said Vickerman.
“Unless funding is restored quickly, 2012 will turn out to be a very lean year for contractors and installers,” Vickerman warned.
As of this moment, the renewable energy marketplace is bristling with new installations. Installations to be completed this summer with incentives from Focus on Energy include:
• Two small wind turbines serving a Monroe County cranberry grower;
• A solar hot water system serving a new apartment building next to the Hilldale shopping complex in Madison;
• Side-by-side solar hot water and electric installations atop a new classroom building at the UW-Oshkosh;
• An engine generator fed with biogas derived from the City of Appleton’s wastewater treatment plant.
However, without a fresh supply of Focus-funded projects, Wisconsin’s renewable energy development pipeline will slow to a trickle, forcing contractors and installers to either seek work in other states or lay off employees.
Wisconsin has more than 2,500 customer-sited renewable energy installations, the vast majority of which received either financial incentives or facilitation services from Focus on Energy. In total, these installations have a generating capacity of about 20 megawatts.
July 5, 2011
More information
Michael Vickerman
Executive Director
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org
Funding Hiatus Darkens Outlook for In-State Renewables
For the first time in its 11-year history, Focus on Energy is no longer accepting applications from Wisconsin businesses and nonprofit entities seeking to install renewable energy systems. This new policy took effect July 1.
According to Focus on Energy officials, this suspension of financial incentives is necessary to balance demand for renewable energy systems with available funds. In 2009, Focus on Energy allocated approximately $10 million to support customer-sited renewable energy systems. More than half of that allocation went to businesses, farmers, local governments, schools, and nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
“We recognize that Focus on Energy officials have a responsibility to ensure that outflows don’t exceed revenues. However, this suspension could not have occurred at a worse time for Wisconsin’s renewable energy contractors,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin.
“Unfortunately, this move coincides with Milwaukee-based We Energies’ decision to walk away from an agreement with RENEW Wisconsin to commit $60 million over a 10-year period to develop renewable energy within its territory,” Vickerman said. ‘We Energies disclosed its unilateral action in May, barely more than halfway into honoring its commitment.”
“Given the adverse environment for renewable energy right now in Wisconsin, we hope that the interruption amounts to nothing more than a brief timeout,” said Vickerman.
“Unless funding is restored quickly, 2012 will turn out to be a very lean year for contractors and installers,” Vickerman warned.
As of this moment, the renewable energy marketplace is bristling with new installations. Installations to be completed this summer with incentives from Focus on Energy include:
• Two small wind turbines serving a Monroe County cranberry grower;
• A solar hot water system serving a new apartment building next to the Hilldale shopping complex in Madison;
• Side-by-side solar hot water and electric installations atop a new classroom building at the UW-Oshkosh;
• An engine generator fed with biogas derived from the City of Appleton’s wastewater treatment plant.
However, without a fresh supply of Focus-funded projects, Wisconsin’s renewable energy development pipeline will slow to a trickle, forcing contractors and installers to either seek work in other states or lay off employees.
Wisconsin has more than 2,500 customer-sited renewable energy installations, the vast majority of which received either financial incentives or facilitation services from Focus on Energy. In total, these installations have a generating capacity of about 20 megawatts.
END
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