Associated Press
Halliburton confirms well contamination in Okla.
Associated Press, 07.08.11, 11:20 AM EDT
DUNCAN, Okla. -- Halliburton Co. has found contamination in 18 water wells in Duncan, Okla. and said it's taking steps to correct the problem.
In testing the wells, Halliburton ( HAL - news - people ) detected perchlorate, which it described as a colorless salt that could - in high enough concentrations - cause adverse health effects, particularly with the thyroid gland, the company said Thursday. Halliburton said perchlorate is not a carcinogen.
Article Controls
The wells are located on Duncan's north side, where Halliburton used to perform government contract work involving removing and burning spent missile fuel contained in missile casings. It's been 20 years since Halliburton conducted operations at the site but the company thinks the work probably contributed to the groundwater contamination.
The company collected the water samples from the wells to meet Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality requirements.
Halliburton said it is supplying affected residents with bottled drinking water and a temporary water supply system if needed. It said it will also reimburse any potentially affected resident for the costs of health screenings and continue to determine if additional wells in the area have been contaminated.
"Halliburton will continue working with the Oklahoma DEQ to develop a long-term solution to this issue," said Jim Prestidge, the company's vice president of health, safety and environment and service quality.
The Rest @ Forbes
Friday, 8 July 2011
Friday, 6 May 2011
Cheap Reflectors for Solar Thermal Energy International Automated Systems
International Automated Systems
You Tube Notes
It is progressing steadily. The first plant is in production in Needles, California. California has a lot of red tape that slows down the process. From what I understand though, the company is advancing on many fronts and hopefully we will see competetively priced solar power sooner than later.
JCSSeadog 6 months ago
Yes. The system uses zinc batteries to store energy overnight.
JCSSeadog 1 year ago
IAS has just announced the construction of their first solar energy plant to be constructed in Needles, California. You can read the news story by searching the stock symbol IAUS and reading the news bulliten. Good news for the company, the economy, and for the environment.
JCSSeadog 2 years ago
The first full scale working prototype should be up and running in the next couple of months. Each tower will produce 50 Kilowatts. Approximately 20 towers can be erected on 1 acre of land. Roughly 1 Megawatt can be produced for every acre of land!- All cheaper than coal. This is really cool!
JCSSeadog 2 years ago
In answer to Coachkool1: Yes, I have gotten that question a lot. You can buy the stock through any broker or discount broker such as Scottrade or Etrade. Symbol: IAUS. It is cheap right now. Probably won't be for long. I hear the company is really close to completing their initial project. 1-3 months probably. I bought some.
JCSSeadog 3 years ago
To answer teleski82's question, the sun's rays are focued and magnified to super-heat molten salt, which in turn powers the bladeless jet steam turbine. This results in dramatically more energy production than any prior solar technology has been able to achieve.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Utilizing CO2 for Geothermal Energy
As a noxious greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide seems an unlikely candidate for generating renewable energy. But a new, U.S. Department of Energy-backed project on the New Mexico-Arizona border soon could put CO2 to use to extract heat from subterranean rock formations to power geothermal electric plants.
GreenFire Energy of Utah won a $2 million DOE grant last fall to launch the project, which will tap underground CO2 deposits at St. John’s Field, a 235,000-acre area along the border in New Mexico’s Catron County and Apache County in Arizona.
GreenFire plans to build a 3- to-5-megawatt electric plant at Springerville, Ariz., about 18 miles west of New Mexico, to prove the technology. If successful, the company would start constructing 50-megawatt modular units on both sides of the border, said Randy Balik, GreenFire’s vice president of business development.
“If we succeed, we’ll be the first ones to produce electric power on a utility scale using CO2,” Balik said. “The technology is still in development. It’s been conceptualized for a long time, but no one has yet gone out and tried it.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory developed the technology to make CO2 a substitute for water and other fluids to carry geothermal energy to surface plants, Balik said. LANL licensed the technology in 2008 to California-based AltaRock Energy Inc., which sub licensed it to GreenFire for use at St. John’s Field.
AltaRock President and Chief Technology Officer Susan Petty said CO2 has major advantages. It’s much more efficient at carrying heat than water, which typically needs to be 360 degrees or higher to transfer geothermal energy to the surface, where it’s converted to steam for turbine generators.
CO2 can efficiently carry heat at lower temperatures, which means developers don’t have to dig down as deeply into rock formations to extract energy, Petty said. CO2 also expands as it grows hot, making it much more buoyant and easier to transfer to above-ground heat exchangers.
Using CO2 would be particularly beneficial in arid regions, where water is scarce, she noted.
Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/print-edition/2011/02/04/tapping-co2-for-geothermal-energy.html
GreenFire Energy of Utah won a $2 million DOE grant last fall to launch the project, which will tap underground CO2 deposits at St. John’s Field, a 235,000-acre area along the border in New Mexico’s Catron County and Apache County in Arizona.
GreenFire plans to build a 3- to-5-megawatt electric plant at Springerville, Ariz., about 18 miles west of New Mexico, to prove the technology. If successful, the company would start constructing 50-megawatt modular units on both sides of the border, said Randy Balik, GreenFire’s vice president of business development.
“If we succeed, we’ll be the first ones to produce electric power on a utility scale using CO2,” Balik said. “The technology is still in development. It’s been conceptualized for a long time, but no one has yet gone out and tried it.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory developed the technology to make CO2 a substitute for water and other fluids to carry geothermal energy to surface plants, Balik said. LANL licensed the technology in 2008 to California-based AltaRock Energy Inc., which sub licensed it to GreenFire for use at St. John’s Field.
AltaRock President and Chief Technology Officer Susan Petty said CO2 has major advantages. It’s much more efficient at carrying heat than water, which typically needs to be 360 degrees or higher to transfer geothermal energy to the surface, where it’s converted to steam for turbine generators.
CO2 can efficiently carry heat at lower temperatures, which means developers don’t have to dig down as deeply into rock formations to extract energy, Petty said. CO2 also expands as it grows hot, making it much more buoyant and easier to transfer to above-ground heat exchangers.
Using CO2 would be particularly beneficial in arid regions, where water is scarce, she noted.
Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/print-edition/2011/02/04/tapping-co2-for-geothermal-energy.html
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
HR 5297, Small Business Jobs and Credit Act
On Monday, September 27th, President Obama signed into law the bill known as HR 5297, or the Small Business Jobs and Credit Ac
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Algae Oil Fuel Must Be Grown Near User
"Algae Will Be Local": OriginOil CEO to Speak at Algae World Summit in San Diego
- Riggs Eckelberry will speak on decentralization of energy production through algae -
Los Angeles, CA March 9, 2010 – OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, has announced that the company’s president and CEO, Riggs Eckelberry, will join a distinguished panel of speakers to kick off the Algae World Summit in San Diego, California, on May 18, 2010.
In keeping with the industry’s push to achieve commercial scale, this year’s Summit will focus on the critical phase “From Lab to Scale Up” and will push for collaboration between the many players in algae at all levels.
In the discussion, Eckelberry will build on his theme “Algae Will Be Local”. His argument is that industrialized algae requires industrial quantities of CO2. Because CO2 is too expensive to transport to a central location, most algae production will tend to occur at CO2 generating sites, leading to a highly decentralized energy model.
Eckelberry foresees the emergence of algae network operators who will provide the expertise to run these far-flung algae sites, and also aggregate the products for downstream processing. He points out that this model is a complete shift from centralized energy and will lead to the involvement of many types of businesses in energy generation.
OriginOil played a supporting role in launching this conference series, which uniquely focuses on the “value chain” of algae from supplier to end user. At last year’s inaugural summit, Riggs Eckelberry joined a distinguished panel of executives, including the National Biodiesel Board and Marathon Oil, to first discuss the emergence of a new algae industry.
“OriginOil has taken the lead in advocating a strong community that knits together researchers, manufacturers, providers and customers in a worldwide network,” said Eckelberry. “This year’s Algae World Summit directly supports this vision and that is why we have been such strong supporters of the event. We look forward to the opportunity to build a central role for algae in helping to reduce the world’s dependence on petroleum.”
In October 2009, OriginOil announced that its algae oil extraction system had reached the highest industry efficiency standards while requiring very low energy inputs. Since then, OriginOil has itself turned toward commercialization and recently announced its new end to end algae production system.
Unlike scientific research-oriented events, the goal of the Algae World Summit is to provide a forum where the algae community can discuss and learn how to build the links within the value chain that are necessary to make the algae industry a reality.
This year’s guest list includes representatives from The United States Department of Agriculture, SAIC, ExxonMobil and the U.S. Department of Energy, among many others.
The Algae World Summit will take place from May 17-20 at the Hilton Del Mar in San Diego, CA. For more information or to attend the conference, visit www.infocastinc.com/algae10.
The Rest @ Origin oil
Clean Tech Update
Clean Tech Update On Twitter
- Riggs Eckelberry will speak on decentralization of energy production through algae -
Los Angeles, CA March 9, 2010 – OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, has announced that the company’s president and CEO, Riggs Eckelberry, will join a distinguished panel of speakers to kick off the Algae World Summit in San Diego, California, on May 18, 2010.
In keeping with the industry’s push to achieve commercial scale, this year’s Summit will focus on the critical phase “From Lab to Scale Up” and will push for collaboration between the many players in algae at all levels.
In the discussion, Eckelberry will build on his theme “Algae Will Be Local”. His argument is that industrialized algae requires industrial quantities of CO2. Because CO2 is too expensive to transport to a central location, most algae production will tend to occur at CO2 generating sites, leading to a highly decentralized energy model.
Eckelberry foresees the emergence of algae network operators who will provide the expertise to run these far-flung algae sites, and also aggregate the products for downstream processing. He points out that this model is a complete shift from centralized energy and will lead to the involvement of many types of businesses in energy generation.
OriginOil played a supporting role in launching this conference series, which uniquely focuses on the “value chain” of algae from supplier to end user. At last year’s inaugural summit, Riggs Eckelberry joined a distinguished panel of executives, including the National Biodiesel Board and Marathon Oil, to first discuss the emergence of a new algae industry.
“OriginOil has taken the lead in advocating a strong community that knits together researchers, manufacturers, providers and customers in a worldwide network,” said Eckelberry. “This year’s Algae World Summit directly supports this vision and that is why we have been such strong supporters of the event. We look forward to the opportunity to build a central role for algae in helping to reduce the world’s dependence on petroleum.”
In October 2009, OriginOil announced that its algae oil extraction system had reached the highest industry efficiency standards while requiring very low energy inputs. Since then, OriginOil has itself turned toward commercialization and recently announced its new end to end algae production system.
Unlike scientific research-oriented events, the goal of the Algae World Summit is to provide a forum where the algae community can discuss and learn how to build the links within the value chain that are necessary to make the algae industry a reality.
This year’s guest list includes representatives from The United States Department of Agriculture, SAIC, ExxonMobil and the U.S. Department of Energy, among many others.
The Algae World Summit will take place from May 17-20 at the Hilton Del Mar in San Diego, CA. For more information or to attend the conference, visit www.infocastinc.com/algae10.
The Rest @ Origin oil
Clean Tech Update
Clean Tech Update On Twitter
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
TXU and Solar City Partner bring PV Leasing to Texas
TXU and Solar City's press release mark an exciting change for Texas.
TXU residential users can now lease solar (photo Voltaic or PV) pannels for home reneweable energy generation. TXU's website is either not up yet or inundated at the moment,but here is the press release....
-Editor
Affordable Solar Power Arrives in Texas
TXU Energy Partners with SolarCity to Introduce North Texas' Most Affordable Solar Power Option
DALLAS, Feb 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- For less than the monthly cost of most cell phone plans, many North Texans can now use renewable solar energy to help power their homes.
TXU Energy's new solar program, in cooperation with SolarCity, a national leader in solar financing, design, installation, monitoring and related services, will provide North Texas homeowners with solar power systems that can allow them to save money on energy costs from day one.
The program will include a solar lease option that includes installation, monitoring, repairs and insurance for a low monthly fee. As an example, a 4-kilowatt residential solar system, appropriate for a typical 3-4 bedroom home, would initially cost approximately $35 a month, with no upfront cost. Customers could purchase the same system outright for $26,000, not including rebates or federal tax incentives.
The new solar program is only available in Texas through TXU Energy.
"Texans want affordable renewable energy choices, and we're providing them the choices they want at a cost they can afford," said Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy.
"We all have a vested interest in our shared environment," said Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas). "I applaud TXU Energy and SolarCity for taking the lead to provide Texans with clean, renewable power."
"Our solar lease provides North Texas homeowners the ability to adopt clean power for less than they previously paid for electricity, and save money from day one," said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. "We expect this offer to significantly increase the adoption of solar power in Texas."
"Texas is leading the nation in alternative energy sources. Solar power is an excellent source of energy but making it affordable has been difficult until now," said Rep. Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving). "With the help of TXU Energy, the citizens of North Texas will be able to afford solar power and will have another option to lower their energy bills."
"Today marks a new chapter in bringing renewable energy to Texas on a mass scale," said Jim Marston, founding director for the Texas office of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). "Thanks to leading companies like TXU Energy and SolarCity, advancing sustainable energy practices is taking a big step forward today."
For more information, North Texas residents can call 877-TXU-SOLAR or go online at www.txu.com/solar .
About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and related services to more than 2 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.
About SolarCity
SolarCity -- a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services -- was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt solar power, protect themselves from rising electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company's SolarLease(TM), PurePower(TM) and Commercial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options can make it possible for homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity currently serves more than 500 communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Texas. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.
The Rest @ Marketwatch.com
SOURCE: TXU Energy
Lee Royal
On Twitter
TXU residential users can now lease solar (photo Voltaic or PV) pannels for home reneweable energy generation. TXU's website is either not up yet or inundated at the moment,but here is the press release....
-Editor
Affordable Solar Power Arrives in Texas
TXU Energy Partners with SolarCity to Introduce North Texas' Most Affordable Solar Power Option
DALLAS, Feb 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- For less than the monthly cost of most cell phone plans, many North Texans can now use renewable solar energy to help power their homes.
TXU Energy's new solar program, in cooperation with SolarCity, a national leader in solar financing, design, installation, monitoring and related services, will provide North Texas homeowners with solar power systems that can allow them to save money on energy costs from day one.
The program will include a solar lease option that includes installation, monitoring, repairs and insurance for a low monthly fee. As an example, a 4-kilowatt residential solar system, appropriate for a typical 3-4 bedroom home, would initially cost approximately $35 a month, with no upfront cost. Customers could purchase the same system outright for $26,000, not including rebates or federal tax incentives.
The new solar program is only available in Texas through TXU Energy.
"Texans want affordable renewable energy choices, and we're providing them the choices they want at a cost they can afford," said Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy.
"We all have a vested interest in our shared environment," said Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas). "I applaud TXU Energy and SolarCity for taking the lead to provide Texans with clean, renewable power."
"Our solar lease provides North Texas homeowners the ability to adopt clean power for less than they previously paid for electricity, and save money from day one," said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. "We expect this offer to significantly increase the adoption of solar power in Texas."
"Texas is leading the nation in alternative energy sources. Solar power is an excellent source of energy but making it affordable has been difficult until now," said Rep. Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving). "With the help of TXU Energy, the citizens of North Texas will be able to afford solar power and will have another option to lower their energy bills."
"Today marks a new chapter in bringing renewable energy to Texas on a mass scale," said Jim Marston, founding director for the Texas office of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). "Thanks to leading companies like TXU Energy and SolarCity, advancing sustainable energy practices is taking a big step forward today."
For more information, North Texas residents can call 877-TXU-SOLAR or go online at www.txu.com/solar .
About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and related services to more than 2 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.
About SolarCity
SolarCity -- a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services -- was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt solar power, protect themselves from rising electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company's SolarLease(TM), PurePower(TM) and Commercial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options can make it possible for homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity currently serves more than 500 communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Texas. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.
The Rest @ Marketwatch.com
SOURCE: TXU Energy
Lee Royal
On Twitter
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Texas Renewable Energy Portolfio - Review
Texas Renewable Energy Portolfio is a Texas law that requires that Power generators produce increasing amouts of renewable energy. In effect, electricity providers (competitive retailers, municipal electric utilities, and electric cooperatives) must collectively generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy by 2009. The 2005 Texas Legislature increased the state's total renewable-energy mandate to 5,880 MW by 2015 and a target of 10,000 MW in 2025. Each provider is required to obtain new renewable energy capacity based on the their market share of energy sales times the renewable capacity goal. For example, a competitive retailer with 10 percent of the Texas retail electricity sales in 2009 would be required to obtain 200 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
Texas is the nation's leader in wind energy thanks to our long-term commitment to bolstering renewable energy sources and diversifying the state's energy portfolio. Rick Perry, Texas Governor
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) ensures that the public benefits of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, continue to be recognized as electricity markets become more competitive. It requires companies that sell electricity to retail customers to support renewable energy generation.The Texas RPS is one of the most effective and successful in the nation, widely considered a model RPS. It is one of the greatest influences on the rapid growth of the Texas wind energy industry.
When Texas produced its first Renewable Portfolio Standard as part of the state's electricity industry restructuring legislation in 1999 (Senate Bill 7), it mandated the construction of certain amounts of renewable energy and prompted the renewable energy industry to rapidly accelerate its production on Texas sites.
Qualifying renewable energy sources include
The Texas Public Utility Commission implemented the program.
The RPS mandated that electricity providers (competitive retailers, municipal electric utilities, and electric cooperatives) collectively generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy by 2009. The 2005 Texas Legislature increased the state's total renewable-energy mandate to 5,880 MW by 2015 and a target of 10,000 MW in 2025. Each provider is required to obtain new renewable energy capacity based on the their market share of energy sales times the renewable capacity goal. For example, a competitive retailer with 10 percent of the Texas retail electricity sales in 2009 would be required to obtain 200 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
The state of Texas estimates that more megawatts of renewable energy came on-line as a result of the RPS program than has in the past 100 years. After the RPS was implemented, Texas wind corporations and utilities invested $1 billion in wind power, creating jobs, adding to the Texas Permanent School Fund and increasing the rural tax base.
The Texas RPS has been so successful that its 10-year goal was met in just over six years. Wind power development in Texas has more than quadrupled since the RPS was established. Due to its competitive pricing, available federal tax incentives and the state's immense wind resources, wind power is expected to remain competitive with coal- and gas-fired plants.
Renewable Energy Credits
With an increasing number of states and municipalities introducing renewable portfolio standards, and a large number of high-profile companies looking to improve their image and reduce their environmental impact, the market for green tags in the US has never been stronger. Elisa Wood, U.S. writer on energy issues
The RPS provides for a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) trading program that will continue through 2019. To meet the RPS targets, utility companies may buy or trade RECs. One REC represents one megawatt-hour of qualified renewable energy that is generated and metered in Texas.
The REC trading system created great flexibility in the development of renewable energy projects. The renewable energy capacity required by the electricity sellers can be provided directly or through the REC market. If a utility earns extra credits, it can sell the credits to utilities who need credits to meet the RPS requirements. This enables electricity providers that do not own or purchase enough renewable energy capacity to purchase credits instead of capacity.
RECs are issued quarterly, based on meter readings. The REC market is administered by ERCOT, the Texas electric grid operator. Penalties for non-compliance with the RPS requirements are enforced by the PUCT. The PUCT has the authority to cap the price of RECs and may suspend the standard if necessary to protect the reliability and operation of the grid.
For an excellent discussion of RECs, see the Renewable Energy World article, Green Trading: Why the Chase Is on for U.S. RECs.
Senate Bill 20
This new goal is the next step toward Texas realizing its potential to be the nation's leading producer of renewable energy. Wind power, in particular, will play a major role in meeting our future energy needs. Tom "Smitty" Smith, Director, Public Citizen
The Renewable Portfolio Standard proved so successful that in 2005 the Texas Legislature passed a major extension and expansion of the legislation. Senate Bill 20 greatly increased the state's RPS goal to 5,880 MW by 2015, of which, 500 MW must come from non-wind resources. The legislation also set a goal of 10,000 MW in renewable energy capacity by 2025. The Texas RPS continues to be one of the most effective in the nation, and Texas is now the number one wind energy producer in the nation.
Non-Wind Renewable Energy Requirement
This clear-cut policy encouraged construction of some of the world's largest wind power projects that now deliver clean energy at prices lower than ever before achieved. The current cost competitiveness of wind power has Texas five years ahead of its renewables construction schedule, almost half way to meeting its 2,000 Megawatt goal. Texas Renewable Energy 2007
Currently wind represents the bulk of renewable energy development occurring under the Texas RPS, largely due to wind's relatively low cost and the abundance of exceptional wind resources in the state. In an effort to diversify the state's renewable generation portfolio, Senate Bill 20 includes a requirement that the state must meet 500 MW of the 2025 target with non-wind renewable generation. This provision indirectly promotes solar power and biomass in Texas and provides farmers and ranchers with new revenue sources from the use of crops and animal waste to produce energy.
Energy Transmission Plan
Inadequate transmission is frequently cited as the most significant obstacle to (wind power development) in Texas. Public Utility Commission of Texas
To meet the RPS goal, Senate Bill 20 includes a transmission plan for remote regions such as McCamey that have a tremendous capacity for renewable energy generation but are handicapped by lack of sufficient transmission infrastructure. The goal is to increase transmission capacity to get clean energy (especially wind) from remote areas to the cities. See the wind transmission page.
Texas Competitive Renewable Energy Zones
Texas electric regulators voted to designate eight zones as the best sites for construction of new power lines to serve more than 20,000 megawatts of proposed wind generation' The boldness of the PUC's decision is hard to overstate. Texas Renewable Energy 2007
Senate Bill 20 requires that competitive renewable energy zones (CREZ) be designated in the best areas in the state and that an electric transmission infrastructure be constructed to move renewable energy from those zones to markets where people use energy. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's transmission operator, is charged with collecting wind data and nominating a number of CREZs based on transmission cost calculations for each CREZ. See this Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) web page on CREZ for the PUC's legal language.
Resources
PUCT Substantive Rule 25.173: Goal for Renewable Energy
Full text of Senate Bill 20 (SB 20)
Texas Legislative Session: 79(1)
Renewable Portfolio Standards Fact Sheet
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet describes the benefits of RPS for states, how RPS encourage CHP projects, and some of the different state requirements for those that have implemented them.
AWEA Transmission Policy
An American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) web site.
Fair Transmission Access for Wind
An AWEA publication.
Western Governors Association Transmission Report March 2006
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards
Updated September 2006.
Increasing the Texas Renewable Energy Standard: Economic & Employment Benefits
A Union of Concerned Scientists 2005 study.
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to website manager.
Window on State Government | Privacy and Security Policy | Accessibility Policy
Texas is the nation's leader in wind energy thanks to our long-term commitment to bolstering renewable energy sources and diversifying the state's energy portfolio. Rick Perry, Texas Governor
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) ensures that the public benefits of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, continue to be recognized as electricity markets become more competitive. It requires companies that sell electricity to retail customers to support renewable energy generation.The Texas RPS is one of the most effective and successful in the nation, widely considered a model RPS. It is one of the greatest influences on the rapid growth of the Texas wind energy industry.
When Texas produced its first Renewable Portfolio Standard as part of the state's electricity industry restructuring legislation in 1999 (Senate Bill 7), it mandated the construction of certain amounts of renewable energy and prompted the renewable energy industry to rapidly accelerate its production on Texas sites.
Qualifying renewable energy sources include
- solar
- wind
- geothermal
- hydroelectric
- tidal energy
- biomass, including landfill gas
The Texas Public Utility Commission implemented the program.
The RPS mandated that electricity providers (competitive retailers, municipal electric utilities, and electric cooperatives) collectively generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy by 2009. The 2005 Texas Legislature increased the state's total renewable-energy mandate to 5,880 MW by 2015 and a target of 10,000 MW in 2025. Each provider is required to obtain new renewable energy capacity based on the their market share of energy sales times the renewable capacity goal. For example, a competitive retailer with 10 percent of the Texas retail electricity sales in 2009 would be required to obtain 200 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
The state of Texas estimates that more megawatts of renewable energy came on-line as a result of the RPS program than has in the past 100 years. After the RPS was implemented, Texas wind corporations and utilities invested $1 billion in wind power, creating jobs, adding to the Texas Permanent School Fund and increasing the rural tax base.
The Texas RPS has been so successful that its 10-year goal was met in just over six years. Wind power development in Texas has more than quadrupled since the RPS was established. Due to its competitive pricing, available federal tax incentives and the state's immense wind resources, wind power is expected to remain competitive with coal- and gas-fired plants.
Renewable Energy Credits
With an increasing number of states and municipalities introducing renewable portfolio standards, and a large number of high-profile companies looking to improve their image and reduce their environmental impact, the market for green tags in the US has never been stronger. Elisa Wood, U.S. writer on energy issues
The RPS provides for a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) trading program that will continue through 2019. To meet the RPS targets, utility companies may buy or trade RECs. One REC represents one megawatt-hour of qualified renewable energy that is generated and metered in Texas.
The REC trading system created great flexibility in the development of renewable energy projects. The renewable energy capacity required by the electricity sellers can be provided directly or through the REC market. If a utility earns extra credits, it can sell the credits to utilities who need credits to meet the RPS requirements. This enables electricity providers that do not own or purchase enough renewable energy capacity to purchase credits instead of capacity.
RECs are issued quarterly, based on meter readings. The REC market is administered by ERCOT, the Texas electric grid operator. Penalties for non-compliance with the RPS requirements are enforced by the PUCT. The PUCT has the authority to cap the price of RECs and may suspend the standard if necessary to protect the reliability and operation of the grid.
For an excellent discussion of RECs, see the Renewable Energy World article, Green Trading: Why the Chase Is on for U.S. RECs.
Senate Bill 20
This new goal is the next step toward Texas realizing its potential to be the nation's leading producer of renewable energy. Wind power, in particular, will play a major role in meeting our future energy needs. Tom "Smitty" Smith, Director, Public Citizen
The Renewable Portfolio Standard proved so successful that in 2005 the Texas Legislature passed a major extension and expansion of the legislation. Senate Bill 20 greatly increased the state's RPS goal to 5,880 MW by 2015, of which, 500 MW must come from non-wind resources. The legislation also set a goal of 10,000 MW in renewable energy capacity by 2025. The Texas RPS continues to be one of the most effective in the nation, and Texas is now the number one wind energy producer in the nation.
Non-Wind Renewable Energy Requirement
This clear-cut policy encouraged construction of some of the world's largest wind power projects that now deliver clean energy at prices lower than ever before achieved. The current cost competitiveness of wind power has Texas five years ahead of its renewables construction schedule, almost half way to meeting its 2,000 Megawatt goal. Texas Renewable Energy 2007
Currently wind represents the bulk of renewable energy development occurring under the Texas RPS, largely due to wind's relatively low cost and the abundance of exceptional wind resources in the state. In an effort to diversify the state's renewable generation portfolio, Senate Bill 20 includes a requirement that the state must meet 500 MW of the 2025 target with non-wind renewable generation. This provision indirectly promotes solar power and biomass in Texas and provides farmers and ranchers with new revenue sources from the use of crops and animal waste to produce energy.
Energy Transmission Plan
Inadequate transmission is frequently cited as the most significant obstacle to (wind power development) in Texas. Public Utility Commission of Texas
To meet the RPS goal, Senate Bill 20 includes a transmission plan for remote regions such as McCamey that have a tremendous capacity for renewable energy generation but are handicapped by lack of sufficient transmission infrastructure. The goal is to increase transmission capacity to get clean energy (especially wind) from remote areas to the cities. See the wind transmission page.
Texas Competitive Renewable Energy Zones
Texas electric regulators voted to designate eight zones as the best sites for construction of new power lines to serve more than 20,000 megawatts of proposed wind generation' The boldness of the PUC's decision is hard to overstate. Texas Renewable Energy 2007
Senate Bill 20 requires that competitive renewable energy zones (CREZ) be designated in the best areas in the state and that an electric transmission infrastructure be constructed to move renewable energy from those zones to markets where people use energy. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's transmission operator, is charged with collecting wind data and nominating a number of CREZs based on transmission cost calculations for each CREZ. See this Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) web page on CREZ for the PUC's legal language.
Resources
PUCT Substantive Rule 25.173: Goal for Renewable Energy
Full text of Senate Bill 20 (SB 20)
Texas Legislative Session: 79(1)
Renewable Portfolio Standards Fact Sheet
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet describes the benefits of RPS for states, how RPS encourage CHP projects, and some of the different state requirements for those that have implemented them.
AWEA Transmission Policy
An American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) web site.
Fair Transmission Access for Wind
An AWEA publication.
Western Governors Association Transmission Report March 2006
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards
Updated September 2006.
Increasing the Texas Renewable Energy Standard: Economic & Employment Benefits
A Union of Concerned Scientists 2005 study.
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