Cleantech Update

Augsut 5th The Energy Information Agency (EIA), has issued a draft analysis which makes the case for chartering a Green Bank/Clean Energy Deployment Administration. A Green Bank would, according to John Podesta of the Center for American Progress, “enable clean-energy technologies—in such areas as wind, solar, geothermal, advanced biomass, and energy efficiency—to be deployed on a large scale and become commercially viable at current electricity costs.” The establishment of a Green Bank and the Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA) has already been included in the House energy bill and the Senate Energy Committee bill. Reed Hundt, co-chair of the Coalition for the Green Bank said, “CEDA’s low-cost financing can protect consumers state by state from any electricity price increases as well as create millions of new jobs converting our nation from carbon to clean as the basis of our economy.” Podesta pointed out that “China is investing $220 billion of its economic stim...

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a combined efficiency and renewable electricity standard that requires utilities to supply an increasing percentage of their demand from a combination of energy efficiency savings and renewable energy (6% in 2012, 9.5% in 2014, 13% in 2016, 16.5% in 2018, and 20% in 2021-2039). Provides for:  (1) issuing, trading, banking, retiring, and verifying renewable electricity credits; and  (2) prescribing standards to define and measure electricity savings from energy efficiency and energy conservation measures. Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) set forth a national strategy to address barriers to the commercial-scale deployment of carbon capture and sequestration; (2) establish an approach to certify and permit geologic sequestration; and (3) promulgate regulations to mi...

August 2009 U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Energy to make Direct Cash Payments for Businesses Developing Renewable Energy Facilities- The U.S. government announced Friday that it is now accepting applications for renewable energy funding lead by President Barack Obama ’s initiative to expand nationwide sustainability and green energy job prospects. The U.S. Department of Energy , along with the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be allocating direct payments in place of tax credits to companies that establish and develop renewable energy facilities; funding to the sum of roughly $3 billion for approximately 5,000 generation plants producing varying sources of renewable energy . Secretary Steven Chu states, “This program will play a major role in encouraging private sector capital to invest in clean energy development, creating new jobs that can’t be outsourced. It is an investment that will continue to help our economy grow and ensure advancement in clean and ren...

Energy Star Could Get Tougher Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: July 9, 2009 By Teresa Burney Qualifying for the Energy Star label on homes is likely to become much more difficult in 2011. The Department of Energy is seeking comments now on proposed significant increases in Energy Star specifications. "They are much stricter, intentionally," said Sam Rashkin, national director of Energy Star for homes, of the new specs. "It should be a bit of a stretch for builders." While adding between $2,000 and $4,000 to a home's cost, roughly $10 to $20 a month more in mortgage costs, the changes should save homeowners between $30 and $50 a month on their utility bills, said Rashkin. In the long run, the change in specs will be good for builders of new homes because it "substantially increases the differential between the new product and their competition, a used home." That angle has not escaped the notice of builders who have been signing up for the progra...

Governor Bobby Jindal recently announced that he signed Louisiana House Bill 110, legislation that increases personal and corporate income tax credits for use of alternative fuel for motor vehicles, including the use of compressed natural gas (CNG.) The legislation, authored by Louisiana State Representative Jane Smith (R-Bossier City) and led by Louisiana Senator Nick Gautreaux (D-Abbeville) in the Senate, will increase economic development and investment in Louisiana by encouraging companies to use a fuel source that is clean, abundant, affordable and American. "Now with proper incentives in place, Louisiana retailers can offer CNG as an alternative fuel to consumers who take advantage of the ability to convert their car or truck or purchase a new vehicle," said Smith. The new legislation includes provisions to: Increase the existing personal or corporate income tax credit from 20% to 50% for purchase of qualified clean burning motor vehicle fuel property, including equipme...

DOE issued solicitations in late June for $3.9 billion in grants to support the development and demonstration of smart grid technologies. Smart grid technologies involve adding communication capabilities and control systems to the electrical grid. Just as the Internet drastically changed how people use their home computers, adding communications to the power grid is expected to change how people use electricity, resulting in improved home energy management for the homeowner, greater demand control for the utility, and a more reliable power grid overall. Smart grids are also expected to better accommodate the use of renewable energy, all forms of on-site power production, and electric vehicles. DOE's new solicitations include a $3.3 billion Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program , which is intended to enable smart grid functions on the nation's electrical grid as soon as possible. The cost-shared grants will support the manufacturing, ...

The Administration is trying to publicize funding for Geothermal and Solar Recovery Act Funding projects: So far, it is putting the funds in the hands of government , not business, and these institutions are inceted to make the programs last as long as possible, not to be profitbale. When I Read these Funding Opportunities , it seems to me that 16 of the 18 opportunities are for research and development or demonstrations of technology we already know works. Yes, we will learn new things Yes, contractors who put up the demonstrations will earn money for the one project; maybe they will even get more contracts. Yes Solar manufacturing plants, even thinfilm plants will be built It is a hit near the target, but sorry sir, no cigar. Geothermal A Geothermal mapping program is a good idea, but lets generate some economy NOW by granting energy companies money to build plants in the places we already know they will work, like they Texas Gulf Coast, Northern California. Make them pay the money...

The US Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistane Program 2008 Weatherization Assistance Click on the links below to download a PDF of each section. Here is a Fact Sheet Programs by State Here is a list of Texas Programs, seachable By Utilities Table of Contents 1. Program Overview This section provides an Executive Summary of the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as a Legislative and Regulatory Timeline since the Program's inception. 2. Program Funding This section includes information on funding, state start and end dates, state allocations, how the allocation formula works, as well as the 1995 Federal Register 10 CFR Part 440 ruling. 3. Training and Technical Assistance Click the link above to view activities taking place at DOE Headquarters, as well as in the PMC field offices. This section also includes information on what audit tools states are using and identifies those that use a priority list. 4. New Initiatives This section addresses: Lead Safe Weatheriz...

THis is the House Bill H.R.1 These amounst may change as the House and Senete reconcile the bills ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research Development, Demonstration and Deployment Recovery funding: $2.000 billion Renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, demonstration and deployment can contribute to strengthening the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. This funding provides for activities to support this goal, including $800 million for projects related to biomass and $400 million for geothermal activities and projects. The remaining $800 million will be used for base program activities, such as research and demonstrations for additional renewable energy technologies, including water power and solar energy, and energy efficiency demonstrations for industrial and commercial practices, such as combined heat and power projects. These funds may also be used to accelerate resear...

(from thier Br0uchure) Ohio is the top destination for the fuel cell industry. Ohio is internationally recognized as a global center for the fuel cell industry. Here, there is a unique combination of knowledge, resources and infrastructure to support the development of this clean and efficient energy technology. Ohio's advantages include a coordinated partnership of government, industry and universities (which creates efficiencies in bringing viable products to market) as well as an existing manufacturing/advanced materials network and exemplary government funding and legal/regulatory framework. The result is a hotbed of fuel cell business es that are making real products today. Fuel Cell Corridor web site

This is the Executive Summary from the 2006 US Departement of Energy White Paper "Partial Roles of Ammonia in a Hydrogen Ecconomy" by George Thomas and George Parks. -Editor Ammonia has a number of favorable attributes, the primary one being its high capacity for hydrogen storage, 17.6 wt.%, based on its molecular structure. However, in order to release hydrogen from ammonia, significant energy input as well as reactor mass and volume are required. Other considerations include: safety and toxicity issues, both actual and perceived The incompatibility of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells in the presence of even trace levels of ammonia (> 0.1ppm). Given the state of the art in ‘cracking’ ammonia to produce hydrogen, there are many issues in the on-board use of ammonia similar to those identified for on-board fuel processors. Specifically, these include: high operating temperature (>500° C) Longevity and reliability of catalysts and other components (at high te...