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Thursday, February 10, 2005
ACE Power-Update for February 2005
Bright Forecast for The Clean Energy Industry
In his 2005-2006 Economic & Technology
Forecast for Austin, Mr. Angelos Angelou emphasized strong growth in the
area of clean energy and related technologies. Mr. Angelou,
the Principal and Chief Economist of AngelouEconomics,
is described as Austin's most authoritative forecaster. He presented his
forecast on January 27, 2005, at the Austin Convention Center, in front of
an audience of approximately 1000
including many business, government, education, and community leaders from
the greater Austin area as well as representatives
from other locations. To find out more, please visit
www.AngelouEconomics.com or call 512-225-9318.
February 16,
2005, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Central Standard Time
Million Solar Roofs Call Seminar on Zero Energy Homes
- Free Registration for MSR Partners
REGISTER NOW for the next MSR Conference Call
Seminar on Zero Energy Homes.
Zero Energy Homes optimally
combine renewable technologies with highly energy efficient building
envelopes, appliances, lighting, automated controls, and
heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC) systems to produce all the
energy they use on an annual basis. The U.S. Department of Energy funded a
number of teams to develop the Zero Energy Home concept with production
builders, and this seminar will present the results of some of that work.
The seminar is free for Million Solar Roof partners, but you must
register to attend. To
register for this conference call seminar, send your name, organization or
company, MSR partner with which you are affiliated, and e-mail address to
Larry Sherwood at
llsherwood@comcast.net.
If
you live in the San Antonio area, your
MSR partner is Solar San Antonio. If you live in the
Austin area, your
partner is the Texas Solar Energy Society. More
info at:
http://www.millionsolarroofs.org/articles/static/1/1105039712_1023713684.html
February 28 - March 4, 2005
Texas Technology Week
The American Electronics
Association (AeA), the
Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC), TechNet Texas and Texas
Healthcare and Bioscience Institute (THBI) are once again hosting the Texas
Technology Week. Technology Week
will take place during the 79th Legislative Session. Various activities are
planned throughout the week to highlight programs and policies that will:
bolster job creation in emerging technology fields;
build on existing opportunities to spur research and development,
innovation and continued investment;
enhance Texas' ability to compete with other states and countries,
building a solid workforce; and
provide quality education to our future workforce.
Technology Week includes a one day conference on February 28, entitled:
“Innovation, Investment and Productivity:
Ensuring Texas' Place In A Competitive 21st Century”, which will be held at
the Texas Capitol Auditorium in Austin. For the complete schedule of
activities and additional information about this event, visit:
www.metroplextbc.org/events-techweek.html or contact Jill
Nelson at 972-238-8998 or
jill@telecomcorridor.com.
April 4 - 9, 2005.
Austin, Texas
SEI Photovoltaic Design & Installation Workshop
Participants will learn
system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification and component selection
as well as install an operational system in the field and learn the proper
use of tools and safety precautions. The workshop covers typical
applications and case study examples. This workshop is for the beginner who
wants to use PV or for those seeking employment in the solar industry.
The workshop is certified by the Institute of Sustainable Power and
fulfills one of the requirements for national photovoltaic certification.
For more information and to register, visit
www.solarenergy.org/workshops/workshop.php?id=3 and scroll down for the
schedule and location.
Through
August 2005
Residential Energy Code
Workshops
The on-going progressive residential energy code
training currently carried out
in Texas as part of the education and outreach effort of the energy
codes and standards program, is based on the 2000 International
Residential Code (IRC) and the 2000 International Energy Conservation
Code (IECC), including the 2001 Supplement. Training also focuses on
simplified compliance path approaches based on the use of the REScheck
software, as developed by Pacific National Northwest Laboratory for the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The 77th Texas Legislature established
uniform residential building and energy codes in Texas in 2001. These
codes, the IRC and the IECC, are still new to most Texas builders, city
building officials, architects, and engineers. The
State Energy Conservation Office (SECO),
through the U.S. DOE Special Projects program and in cooperation with
the Texas Association of Builders (TAB), is funding a series of 30
residential energy code workshops in various cities throughout the state
of Texas to help disseminate the needed information for compliance with
the energy segments of these codes. Please contact Erik Cofield at
ecofield@ghba.org,
or at (281) 970-8970 for the 2005
workshop schedule and additional information.
March
1- 3, 2005,
Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
POWER-GEN
Renewable Energy brings together the renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro
power, geothermal energy, ocean/tidal, and biomass), renewable fuels
(biofuels, ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel), and emerging energy technology
(hydrogen systems, fuel cells, microturbines and energy storage) sectors of
the energy industry to discuss the key technical, regulatory, structural,
economic and market issues impacting their commercial future. With a
conference program featuring multiple tracks of sessions covering
technologies and business issues, plus an exhibit floor showcasing the
latest products, systems and services, POWER-GEN Renewable Energy is the
industry's premier event covering all major aspects of the renewables
market. Contact: Lisa Gasaway Event Manager Ph: 918.832.9245,
pgreconference@pennwell.com.
August
6 - 12, 2005, Orlando, Florida
Please join the International Solar
Energy Society (ISES), the American
Solar Energy Society, and all of
the other
participating organizations as we
welcome the ISES Solar World Congress back to the United States. Leading
researchers, scientists, engineers,
architects, designers and other renewable energy professionals from around
the world will attend and participate in
this comprehensive program. For
more information, please visit http://www.swc2005.org.
Bush Should Look To Texas If He Doesn't
Want the Nation To Become California
Texas is beginning to look
more and more like California. That might sound good to folks like me living
here on the Left Coast, but for the Bush Administration touting the concept
of electricity deregulation as the solution to our power supply woes, what
is going on in our president's home state is proving that the devil is
always in the details. Putting oil and chemical companies ahead of ordinary
consumers is never a good idea, even in Texas.
Full story at RenewableEnergyAccess.com
New Standards to Guide
Next-Gen U.S. Wind Power
In a clear sign that wind power facilities are
being considered an increasingly relevant and important part of the U.S.
electrical grid, the nation's top regulatory agency released details of
their new proposed interconnection guidelines. Once official, they will have
a far-ranging impact on the U.S. wind power industry including
manufacturers, developers, and grid-operators alike.
Full story at
RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Solar Power Used for Seismic Mapping
Stations
Understanding how and why the
earth's crust shifts like it does requires data collection from areas that
aren't close to a power supply. Northern Power Systems was awarded a
contract to supply 30 of its TeleSol photovoltaic (PV) power systems for the
USArray component of EarthScope, an experiment that is exploring the
structure and evolution of the North American continent and the physical
processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Full story at
RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Israel Seeks Partners for 100 MW Solar
Power Plant
Solar projects of this size
don't come along very often. Israel's Ministry of National Infrastructures
of Israel (MNI) is considering issuing a Request for Proposals for the
construction and operation of a 100 MW solar power plant in the south of the
country. Full
story at
RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Low-Drag Trucks: Aerodynamic
Improvements & Flow Control System Boost Fuel Efficiency in Heavy Trucks
Flow control techniques and aerodynamic improvements developed at the
Georgia Institute of Technology could save the U.S. trucking industry
hundreds of millions of gallons of fuel per year.
Recent tests done using a full-size tractor-trailer truck show the
techniques – which are based on systems originally developed for jet
aircraft wings – could increase fuel economy by as much as 11-12
percent. The improvements could also enhance braking and directional
control, potentially improving safety for the big vehicles.
The aerodynamic improvements produced by geometry changes – which
generate fuel savings of as much as six to seven percent -- involve
rounding aft trailer corners, installing fairings and making other
changes that smooth air flow over the boxy trailers. Fuel savings of an
additional five percent come from pneumatic devices that blow air from
slots at the rear of the trailer to further improve and prevent
separation of air flow.
Full press release at
gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/truckfuel.htm .
Discount on
New Reference Book Publications Available from The Association of Energy
Engineers
AEE is
pleased to announce the publication of several new reference books for you
to consider adding to your or your company's library. These are a part of
this month's featured books. Save 10% off these titles by ordering by
02/20/05. To order, please visit
http://www.aeecenter.org/books , send an e-mail
bookspecials@aeecenter.org , or call 770-925-9558.
New Magazine Launch—green*light—for People Who Lean Green
Former Austinite launching a consumer
magazine in the emerging LOHAS market seeks subscribers, investors, and
advertisers for
green*light---the
one-stop resource for people who lean green. One third of Americans already
take the environment into consideration in their decision making for their
lives. green*light
is the guide to earth-friendly living. To subscribe (first 4 issues FREE)
and find out more, go to
www.greenlightmag.com.
To invest, contact Thea Selby @ 415 773 1841
To advertise, call Susan Werner @ 415 441 2762.
ACE PowerUpdate is produced for you and
your
feedback is important to
us. Please let us know your suggestions and ideas. And if you like what
you read, please spread the word by forwarding PowerUpdate to others.
Thank you, we will be back next month!
Sincerely,
Nick Babic
PowerUpdate
Editor
TO SUBSCRIBE: If you are not a current
subscriber and wish to receive PowerUpdate, please
send an email message with your
request to
To UNSUBSCRIBE, please
send an email message to
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Thank you.
The news and
other information reported in PowerUpdate do not necessarily reflect
the official position of ACE. Some links in the ACE PowerUpdate are
time-sensitive. These links may move or expire as the news and information
changes. Some sources also may require registration or fee-based
subscriptions.
Copyright © 2005
Austin Clean Energy Initiative
Monday, November 29, 2004
November, 2004 Power-Update
The First Texas Clean Energy Congress & 20th Anniversary Meeting
This
historic event was organized by the Texas Renewable Energy Industries
Association (TREIA) and held in
Austin, Texas, November 14 - 16, 2004. More than
150 participants representing more than 50 organizations from across Texas
and beyond and including professionals from renewable and traditional energy
industries, environmentalists, consumers, religious communities, and
governmental organizations, gathered to call for bold, new energy goals for
Texas. Among attendees was also a delegation from The Institute Of Energy
Economics, Japan. Congress and Meeting highlights included the election of
the Congress Chair; the discussion, drafting, and adoption of the
“Declaration of Sustainability and Sustainable Energy Bill of Rights” which
calls for Texas to create the appropriate policies, programs and business
climate to meet the majority of its total energy needs with sustainable
energy by the year 2020; the call-to-action training sessions; the renewable
energy sector sessions that covered hot wind, solar, biomass and building
energy topics; and finally, a tour of the Austin area solar
installations. The meeting ended with a bonus, one-day session, "Renewables
Made In Germany", that turned out to be an outstanding
program put together by key leaders and companies involved in Germany's
renewable energy program. For additional information about this event,
please visit the
TREIA website and
see the
press release on the Texas Impact web site.
Clean Energy Incubator Hosts Korean
Electric Power Corporation
The Clean Energy Incubator (CEI) has been hosting sixteen executives from
the
Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)
this fall in a program developed by the IC2 Institute at the
University of Texas at Austin. The KEPCO
executives arrived in Austin in August and will return to Korea in
December. The unique program offers a wonderful educational and cultural
learning experience for the group during their sabbatical from KEPCO with
the goal of providing insight into the United States electric utility
industry and particularly the effects of deregulation. Other goals of the
program are to increase English skills and gain a general understanding of
the American business culture.
The program is comprised of several
classes including a ESL (English as a Second Language) class and a Marketing
Management class where Professor Kate Mackie, Ph.D. has been teaching a
specially designed, strategic marketing course that includes a market
simulation game. Each KEPCO visitor has been auditing also a MBA course of
their choosing at The UT McCombs School of Business. The program is
enhanced by several special guest lectures given by various faculty and
local business leaders. Topics have ranged from energy finance and
corporate strategy to government efficiency programs. Finally, to
complete the group's experience, field trips to Houston, Dallas, and San
Antonio have been arranged where meetings with respective utility companies
have been combined with a little fun and sightseeing. CEI hopes to have the
opportunity to continue this program next year.
If anyone
is interested in speaking with the KEPCO executives, please contact George
Langdon at CEI (512-305-0050). For more information about The Clean Energy
Incubator, please visit
CEI's website.
Ford Markets The
Escape Hybrid SUV To
Austin Area Residents
On its road
trip to market the new Ford Escape Hybrid sports utility vehicle, The
Ford Motor Company made Austin a key stop. On November 20, 2004, Austin
residents were given the opportunity to test drive and learn about the
vehicle, find out about Ford's participation in "green" activities, and even
pick up a few goodies such as a tee-shirt made from a blend of recycled
cotton and Fortrel (R) EcoSpun (TM) fabric produced from recycled plastic
bottles. The Ford Escape Hybrid is the world's first full-hybrid SUV.
Full-hybrids can be driven on electric power alone, on gasoline alone, or on
both at the same time. The Escape Hybrid has a EPA-estimated mileage of 36
mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway (33 mpg and 29 mpg respectively
for a 4-wheel drive version). Full-hybrid technology normally gives better
mileage in city traffic because the system shuts off the gasoline engine and
runs on electricity only at each stop. Nick Babic, the editor of the ACE
PowerUpdate newsletter, experienced a 29.4 mpg average during a short test
which included stop-and-go and highway driving. According to a Ford
representative at the Austin event, 2005 sales of the Escape Hybrid will be
limited to some 20,000 vehicles because of the limited supply of batteries
used by the vehicle. Most Texans interested in buying should expect to wait
for 2006 to roll around before their dream can be realized. More about the
Escape Hybrid can be found on
Ford's website.
"Green" Building & Home
Improvement Center Opens In Austin, Texas
Austin
residents and businesses now have an alternative to conventional home
building and improvement centers. Environmental Depot proudly announces
the opening of its new store at 9914 Hwy 290 W., in southwest Austin. This
"green" building and home improvement center is dedicated to providing
natural, ecologically safe, sustainable, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic
products. With over 15 years experience supplying environmentally
friendly solutions to the New York area, Environmental Depot now brings this
expertise to the Austin community. E.C.O. of New York has teamed up with
local environmentalists, Jon and Alyssa Alvord, in creating the one-stop
showroom and supply center for "green" construction materials.
Environmental Depot staff not only sells ecologically friendly products but
also uses their extensive experience to consult with professionals and
do-it-yourselfers to create "green" and non-toxic homes and workplaces, with
emphasis on meeting the needs of chemically sensitive clients. For
additional information, please visit www.EnvironmentalDepot.com
or call the store at 512.288.6161.
December 14
- 16, 2004,
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center,
San Antonio, Texas
The Summit
will feature the following tracks: Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP)
& the Texas Energy Partnership, relating to Senate Bill 5, geared toward
local government staff and officials charged with reducing energy
consumption and air emissions; Green Building (commercial and
residential), geared toward builders, architects and the building
trades, providing information about green building concepts, programs
and techniques; Sustainable Technologies
track in which the exhibitors will take turns speaking about
their sustainable products and services; Clean Cities, a Department of
Energy sponsored program, organized by the Alamo Area Council of
Governments (AACOG), will feature workshops on Anti-Idling and Clean
Diesel. A Student Awards Program where students ranging from elementary
school through university level can compete for recognition and cash
prizes will wrap up the event. Co-hosts of
the Summit are the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy, the Texas
A&M Energy Systems Lab and the DOE Clean Cities Program. For the latest
program, tour, sponsorship, exhibitor and registration info, please
visit
www.sanantonioenergyleadership.org.
January 27, 2005, 7:00 - 9:30
AM, Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas
Angelos Angelou, the Principal and Chief Economist at AngelouEconomics
and described as Austin's most authoritative forecaster, will speak
about the future of the area's technology economy. More about the event
and Angelos Angelou at
www.AngelouEconomics.com.
December 5, 2004.
Application Deadline
Get creative, participate and win
1,500 to 5,000 Euro! Designboom and the
MACEF International Home Show on-line design competition
participation is open to applicants from every country in the
world, including professionals, students, and amateur
design-enthusiasts. Free
registration required. Designboom is
looking for your designs for home accessories that are aligned with
the concept of RE-cycling or RE-using (energy, water, metal,
plastics, paper, glass, ...) and bring a fresh approach to the
tiring topic of waste!
Ground
Breaking Study Estimates Costs To Develop "Green" Federal Facilities
A ground
breaking study commissioned by the
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
and completed in October 2004, estimates
the costs to develop "green" federal facilities using the U.S. Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Building Rating System, Version 2.1. The study
report provides a detailed and structured review of both the hard
cost and soft cost implications of achieving Certified, Silver, and Gold
LEED ratings for two GSA building types, using GSA's established design
standards as the point of comparison.
These two building types
reflect a significant percentage of GSA's planned capital projects over the
next five to ten years. The complete report
can be obtained at the
Whole Building Design Guide website.
World Production of Solar Cells Jumped 32% In 2003
World production of solar cells soared to 742 MW
in 2003, a jump of 32 percent in just one year according to the October 19,
2004 article by the Earth Policy Institute. The top five manufacturers of
solar photovoltaic (PV) cells -- Sharp, Kyocera, Shell Solar, BP Solar, and
RWE Schott Solar -- account for 60 percent of the market share. With solar
cell production growing by an average of 27 percent annually over the past
five years, cumulative world production is now at 3,145 MW, enough to meet
the electricity needs of more than a million homes. This superb
growth is driven partially by improvements in materials and technology, but
primarily by market introduction programs and government incentives. Japanese
PV production—which accounts for 49 percent of the world total—has benefited
from a variety of government incentive programs. European
production has also boomed. With a growth of 41 percent in 2003, PV
production in Europe reached 190 MW. Despite the lack of a unified EU
approach toward renewable energy, individual member countries’ policies
have improved Europe’s position in the world market, with Germany alone
being the the second largest market for photovoltaics.
In contrast, PV production in the United States decreased by 14 percent in
2003, dropping to 104 MW. This was due to lowered production by BP Solar,
the repurchasing of solar cells by Shell Solar, and the bankruptcy of
Astropower—the second largest producer of solar cells in the United States.
Furthermore, the Million Solar Roof Initiative—a national program designed
to support states and local communities as they develop solar energy
technologies—that was launched in 1997 by President Clinton lacks a
dedicated budget, which has stymied progress.
State policies and programs, including tax exemptions, loan programs and
grants, and renewable content requirements, have been more effective,
however. For the complete article, visit the
Earth Policy Institute website.
Federal Tax Credit Extension Puts Wind Energy Back to Work: 2005
Expected to Break Capacity Installation Records
With the
extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit in September
2004, capacity installations in 2005 may very well beat all previous
records, AWEA stated on October 28, 2004, in its quarterly U.S. market
outlook. The previous, yearly record for new wind power capacity
installations was 1,696 megawatts in 2001. Most in the industry agree that
2005 will be a better year, with some predicting installations to exceed
2,500 MW. See the complete AWEA
News Release.
Wind Power Development Can
Create 1000's of Manufacturing Jobs in Hardest Hit States
According to a report released in October 2004
by the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP), increasing wind energy
installations in the U.S. to approximately eight times today's levels could
create 150,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide, with most jobs being added in
the 20 states that were hardest hit over the past three years. For the
complete report, visit the
REPP website.
List Of "Windy" Holiday Gifts
To facilitate
environmentally friendlier shopping this holiday season, the American Wind
Energy Association (AWEA) is providing a sample of products that are now
being made with electricity from wind power, a pollution-free, clean,
domestic resource. The
gift list is provided in a AWEA
News Release.
Renewable Energy
Takes A Back Seat To Hydrogen
Move over solar, wind power, geothermal and other renewable energy
technologies -- it's all about hydrogen these days. The U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) recently selected a host of recipients from
across the country for over US$75 million in research and development
funding for the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. In his 2002 State
of the Union address, President Bush pronounced his vision that, "the
first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and
pollution-free." The research projects announced in this latest round
of funding are meant to address major technical and economic hurdles in
renewable and distributed hydrogen production technologies that will
have to be overcome to make the President's vision a reality. For the
complete article, visit the
Renewable Energy Access website.
Wind Energy Cooperatives
to Produce Electricity and Hydrogen for the Residential, Commercial and
Transportation Industry Nationwide
U.S Wind Farming, Inc. announced
the next generation of Wind Farming Technologies creating not only
electricity for sale during Peak Load Requirement times, but then producing
Hydrogen for sale during off-peak times. This provides U.S. Wind Farming
with the ability to harvest wind power to
create valuable commodities garnering prime prices during all times of wind
generation. This also allows U.S. Wind Farming to establish Wind Energy
Electricity/Hydrogen Cooperatives nationwide in areas previously thought to
not be viable candidates for wind energy development because of reduced wind
velocities. U.S. Wind Farming expects to commission GE Wind Energy
(www.gewindenergy.com) to install and maintain all wind turbines
and Stuart Energy
(www.stuartenergy.com) to install and maintain all Hydrogen
Production/Pressurization/Storage and Dispensing equipment for the
Wind Energy Electricity/Hydrogen Cooperatives across
the country. Existing wind farms and new wind energy capable sites
have approached U.S. Wind Farming to
discuss the opportunity. Read the full press release at Business
Wire.
ACE PowerUpdate is produced for you and
your
feedback is important to
us. Please let us know your suggestions and ideas. And if you like what
you read, please spread the word by forwarding PowerUpdate to others.
Thank you, we will be back next month!
Sincerely,
Nick Babic
PowerUpdate
Editor
TO SUBSCRIBE: If you are not a current
subscriber and wish to receive PowerUpdate, please
send an email message with your
request to
To UNSUBSCRIBE, please
send an email message to
power-update-unsubscribe@austincleanenergy.org
Thank you.
The news and
other information reported in PowerUpdate do not necessarily reflect
the official position of ACE. Some links in the ACE PowerUpdate are
time-sensitive. These links may move or expire as the news and information
changes. Some sources also may require registration or fee-based
subscriptions.
Copyright © 2004 Austin Clean Energy Initiative
Friday, August 13, 2004
ACE Power-Update for August 2004
August 13, 2004
PowerUpdate is brought to you by the Austin Clean Energy Initiative
Local Spotlight
RSET Is Now RLE Technologies
RSET, a Clean Energy Incubator (CEI) company, has changed its name to RLE Technologies to better align its brand with its product offering - the Rotating Liner Engine. They recently have launched a funding campaign and have put together a private placement memorandum seeking $500,000. The company will use the proceeds to develop a second generation prototype of their innovative diesel engine technology. The patented RLE technology, which has roots at the University of Texas, has the potential to significantly increase fuel economy while decreasing emissions. For more information about RLE, please visit www.rotatingliner.com or contact Rick Yeager at ryeager@io.com. For more information about CEI please visit www.cleanenergyincubator.com and NACEBI www.cleanenergyalliance.com.
Austin’s Cool Home Tour Was The Hottest Ever
The 8th annual Texas Solar Energy Society’s (TXSES) Cool House Tour was the biggest and
most successful one yet. Kathryn Houser, TXSES Executive Director, stated that more than
1,700 visitors toured the eleven open houses in one Sunday afternoon. “We see the Tour as
a way to achieve our educational mission to increase awareness of clean sources of energy
in a very hands-on, meaningful way,” she said. Houser contends that Austin has an
advantage over other cities when it comes to respected home tours: “Much of our success
is due to Austin’s reputation as an enlightened green city. The public here is more
aware; we have an impressive pool of architects and builders that make these kinds
of homes happen. Because we have lots of good examples that show off the technologies and
green building strategies, we put prospective homes through a nomination process and hone
it down to a balanced mix from affordable to luxurious, demonstrating a variety of
construction methods and materials.” Though the Tour was in Austin, it attracted visitors
from Houston, San Antonio and College Station. “I’d say 90% of the visitors included
people who will build a new home or remodel, and they’re on the Tour to get the latest and
greatest on what they can do to build smarter and greener,” said Houser. “And with Austin
Energy's solar rebate program, people are looking at solar technologies with greater
interest than before. The Tour is the perfect venue to expose solar to the public.”
(Article excerpt copied with permission from Kathryn Houser). For more information about
the Texas Solar Energy Society and its programs and activities, please
visit www.txses.org.
Local & Regional Events
August 29 - 31, 2004. Austin, Texas
Solar Electric Power Systems Workshop (NABCEP-based)
This workshop has been rescheduled from June 27 - 29 to August 29 - 31!
Choose all three days to learn how to design and build a grid-connected full-scale solar
electric system or choose only the first day to learn a decision process for selecting,
scoping, and justifying a solar project. Also, learn about the dynamics of the world
market, the history and future of the technology, and the solar incentives including the
new Austin solar rebates! The workshop is sponsored by the Texas State Energy
Conservation Office (SECO) and Austin Energy and developed and presented by the
Conservation Services Group (CSG) and Imagine Solar Int’l. Detailed information will be
posted on SECO's web site shortly.
September 17, 2004. Rice University, Houston, Texas
The 2nd Annual Energy Technology Venture Forum
The 2nd Annual Energy Technology Venture Forum is being hosted by the Rice Alliance and Houston Technology Center. Last year's Forum drew over 400 attendees, and four of the six presenting companies subsequently raised outside funding. There is no cost for companies to apply or to present. For more information, please visit www.alliance.rice.edu.
September 24 - 26, 2004. Fredericksburg, Texas
2004 Texas Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair
Your chance to learn about renewable energy and sustainability, see and purchase products, have some quality family fun and enjoy delicious food in the setting of charming Fredericksburg. If you or anyone you know may be interested in being a volunteer, sponsor, speaker, or exhibitor at this event, please visit www.theroundup.org for additional information. We have a few openings left!
National & International Events
August 21 – 25, 2004. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
The 29th Annual Conference of the Solar Energy Society of Canada
The annual event will include technical sessions, a trade show, workshops and
plenaries.
August 28 – September 3, 2004. Marriott City Center, Denver, Colorado
World Renewable Energy Congress
The World's premier conference on renewable energy. Held every two years, the Congress
provides an international forum that attracts more than 800 delegates from more than 100
countries.
September 18 – 19, 2004. Washington DC
Green Festival East
Co-op America and Global Exchange are proud to bring Green Festival to Washington, DC this
September. Learn more about this exciting opportunity to come together with tens of
thousands of people to create a green economy.
September 22 - 24, 2004. Austin, Texas
World Energy Engineering Congress & High Performance Facilities Expo
For 2004, the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) joins forces with host Austin Energy
to bring the WORLD ENERGY ENGINEERING CONGRESS (WEEC) to Austin, Texas – one of the most
progressive cities in the nation in the area of promoting green energy and energy
efficient technologies. The city of Austin has frequently been called the #1 green city
in the U.S., and is a recognized U.S. D.O.E. Rebuild America Partner. This year, for the
first time, the AEE brings the WEEC to Austin in conjunction with the High Performance
Facilities Expo (HPFE). A perfect compliment to WEEC, HPFE is designed to provide a
comprehensive informational forum for facility owners and managers, developers, architects,
engineers and contractors, exploring the full spectrum of innovative design and retrofit
concepts for increasing the quality and efficiency of buildings and facilities, while
reducing both their costs and environmental impact.
October 18 - 20, 2004. Orlando, Florida
The 17th NREL Industry Growth Forum
NREL is now accepting applications from clean energy companies who would like to present
to an audience of the country's leading clean energy investors. Apply by August 2 to
qualify for the discounted $200 application fee. After August 2, the fee will be $750.
The Forum will feature three days of networking and company "business case" presentations
to promote and enhance the success of new ventures, emerging businesses, and the growth of
entrepreneurship in the clean energy sector.
October 21 - 22, 2004. Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Border Energy Forum
A vibrant and growing economy consistent with a clean and healthy environment for both
sides of the border has been the vision shared by Border Energy Forum participants and
organizers since the first forum was held in El Paso in 1994.
October 24-26, 2004, The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA
Investor's Circle 2004 National Conference: "Venture Capital for a Sustainable Future"
The Investors' Circle National Conference and Venture Fair is the meeting place for angel
investors, professional venture capitalists, philanthropic investors and entrepreneurs who
are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable future. This year's
event, supported by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation, will focus on two fields: renewable energy and food/organics. The venture
fair (10/25) will feature presentations from up to 30 companies that are working to solve
major social and environmental problems.
November 6 – 7, 2004. San Francisco, CA
Green Festival West
Co-produced by Co-op America and Global Exchange, the west coast version of the Green
Festival will be held in San Francisco this November.
November 10 - 11, 2004. San Jose, CA
Energy Venture Fair V
The Energy Venture Fair will bring CEOs from 75 handpicked energy technology, product and
service companies seeking capital funding together with venture capitalists, corporate
investors, and strategic investors who are looking for investment opportunities, strategic
alliances and access to emerging technologies. If you are a Senior Executive from one of
these promising companies, and are interested in having a platform to present your vision
and business plans before a national audience of investors, please go to the Call for
Companies page to register and receive an application.
Article & Info Picks
Old Oil Rigs For Wind Power
Talk about a transformation; a unique arrangement off the coast of Louisiana could soon
allow wind turbines to be placed on derelict off-shore oil rigs. Backers of a plan to
generate electricity using wind turbines mounted on off-shore Louisiana oil rigs are
developing a 10 MW pilot project, called Grand Vent, with three rigs off the state's
southwest coast. Federal law requires decommissioning and removal of inactive
off-shore platforms within one year of ceasing production. Removal costs can run as high
as $40 million. Using an inactive platform for wind energy generation would not
only extend its usefulness but also prevent costly
decommissioning and significantly reduce the cost of off-shore wind turbine installation.
More at SolarAccess.
Global Climate And Energy Project Brings Together Leading Academia & Private
Industry
The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) is a long-term research effort involving
leading scientists from universities, research institutions, and private industry in
pre-commercial research that would foster the development of a global energy system with
low greenhouse emissions. GCEP has three key objectives: (1) identify promising research
opportunities on technologies for low emissions, high-efficiency energy supply, (2)
identify barriers to the application of these new technologies at large scale, and (3)
conduct research into technologies that will help to overcome barriers and accelerate
global applications. The four GCEP sponsors—companies with experience and expertise in key
energy sectors—plan on investing up to $225 million over the next ten years in this
Project. ExxonMobil plans to invest up to $100 million, General Electric up to $50 million,
Schlumberger up to $25 million; and Toyota up to $50 million to help fund the research.
More on Stanford University's web site.
72 Percent of Californians Favor Governor Schwarzenegger's Solar Homes Goal
A new statewide poll finds that seven in 10 Californians support Gov. Schwarzenegger's
campaign goal to build half of all new homes with solar power. The poll of likely voters
also shows that six in 10 support state standards calling for the inclusion of solar power
on new housing developments and a similar number want solar systems to become part of the
state's building codes. Now it's up to Schwarzenegger and the state government to follow
through. More at Environmental California
Insulated Concrete Forms Increase Energy Efficiency
While looking at plans for houses, Sanjiv Lakhanpal, an engineer at Advanced Micro Devices
Inc. in Austin, came across a construction method that intrigued him: insulated concrete
forms. Instead of wood or steel studs, the exterior walls are made from concrete poured
into polystyrene forms. The concrete walls are strong, resistant to fire, termites and
mold, and make the house cheaper to heat and cool than one built using conventional wood
or steel construction. Proponents say the somewhat higher construction cost can be
recovered easily through energy bills, which are 20-30% percent lower than for wood-frame
homes of comparable size. And, if a builder installs a energy-efficient roof, windows and
doors, the payoff can be even faster. More at Austin American-Statesman (paid subscription
required to view full article).
Volkswagen (of America) Diesel Sales Up 46%
Sales of Its New Fuel-Efficient and Advanced Diesels Go Up 46.3%
Despite the decline of overall sales, Volkswagen of America, Inc. reported a significant
increase in this June's sales of its models equipped with its high-tech diesel engines
(called the TDI engine) that offer about 30 percent better fuel mileage over comparable
models with gas engines. In total, Volkswagen sold 46.3% more TDIs in June 2004 than
in June 2003. Earlier this summer, Volkswagen introduced the 2004 Passat TDI, the most
fuel-efficient midsize family car sold in the U.S. delivering a fuel rating of 38 miles
per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. More at germancarfans.
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Tuesday, July 06, 2004
ACE Power-Update for July 2004
|
ACE At
The SOLAR 2004 Conference
On July 12, 2004, Chip
Wolfe of ACE will host an industry
update panel at the Solar 2004
Conference in Portland, Oregon. The
panel includes representatives from
across the country discussing the
economic development benefits of solar
technology and how those benefits can
influence public policy to promote solar
adoption. Read more about this
Conference under the "National &
International Events" tab below.
ACE Receives Award From
Liveable City
On June
23, 2004, the Austin Clean Energy
Initiative (ACE) received a Liveable
Vision award from the Liveable City
organization.
The Liveable City Vision Award is
given to individuals or
organizations who have advanced
Austin's Quality of Life. The 2004
recipients are leaders in the field
of Renewable and Sustainable Energy.
Their work has helped advance
Austin's goal of becoming the Clean
Energy Capital of the World. Other
recipients included Roger Duncan,
Michael Osborne, and the Solar
Austin Coalition. More about Livable
City at www.liveablecity.org.
ACE
Produces Special Event Featuring William
McDonough
On May 3,
2004, ACE produced a special,
dinner event featuring renowned
architect William McDonough. Over 100
of the region's leaders gathered to hear Mr.
McDonough's presentation
titled "Cradle to
Cradle: A Celebration of Abundance, A
Future of Hope",
as he spoke about learning
from nature and eliminating the concept of
waste in business.
Shaw Industries, a carpeting
manufacturing
company working with Mr.
McDonough's protocol to make their business
more sustainable, was the presenting
sponsor. The
dinner was
hosted by Will Wynn,
City of Austin
Mayor;
Fritz Steiner,
Dean of the UT School of Architecture;
and
Joseph J. Beal, P.E., General Manager of the
Lower Colorado River Authority. Other
Major Dinner Sponsors included Dell,
HydroTeq Water Processing
Systems, Applied Materials, Corkran
Energy, and Good Company Associates.
More on the
ACE event page.
ACE
Hosts The 2004 Clean Energy Economic Development
Update
On
April 27, 2004, ACE organized
and hosted a
conversation about the state of
Austin's Clean Energy Industry.
This event featured a distinguished panel
including Will Wynn,
City
of Austin Mayor; Mike
Rollins, President
of the Greater Austin Chamber of
Commerce;
Michael Kuhn, member of the Resource
Management Commission;
Jim Butler of
the City of Austin Economic Growth &
Redevelopment Services
Office;
Cliff Braddock of
Austin Energy;
and Doug Rose of SunPower
Corporation.
Presentations followed
by questions and answers showed
attendees the current progress and
obstacles to Clean Energy development in
Central Texas from both government and
corporate perspectives. This event
was
made possible through the generous support of
Vinson &
Elkins and
Corkran Energy.
More on the
ACE event page.
Richard Amato Elected New Chairman
of NACEBI
Richard Amato, Director of the Clean Energy
Incubator (CEI) in Austin, Texas, recently
was elected as the new Chairman of the
National Alliance of Clean Energy Business
Incubators (NACEBI). Mr. Amato had served
as Vice-Chairman of the NACEBI since its
inception. The NACEBI is an alliance of
leading business incubators located
throughout the nation, dedicated to
providing business and financial services
tailored to the needs of the clean energy
community. For more information about CEI
please visit
www.cleanenergyincubator.com
and NACEBI
www.cleanenergyalliance.com.
Solar Rebate
Program Receives Incredible Response
Response to the Austin
Energy Solar Rebate Program is exceeding
expectations. More than 160 applications
have been received. More information about
this program can be found at
Austin Energy.
Solar
Austin Wins Award
Solar Austin is a recipient of the 2004
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Innovation Award. The award will be
presented in Portland, Oregon, at the
American Energy Society National
Conference on July 10th. A total of
five awards are granted. More at
Solar Austin
|
3 - 5 PM, July
8, 2004. San Antonio,
Texas
Building professionals sign
up! Benefits of becoming
a certified green building
professional include free
advertising (use of logo
and listing on buildsagreen
website), networking
with providers of green
products and services, access to
a detailed
builders' manual,
numerous educational
opportunities, and
individualized
assistance on plans from the
Metropolitan Partnership for
Energy (MPE).
August 29 - 31, 2004.
Austin, Texas
Solar
Electric Power Systems Workshop
(NABCEP-based)
This workshop has been
rescheduled from June 27 - 29 to
August 29 - 31! Choose all three-days to learn
how to design
and build a grid-connected
full-scale solar electric system
or
choose only
the first day to
learn
a decision process for
selecting, scoping, and
justifying a solar project.
Also, learn about the dynamics
of the world market, the history
and future of the technology,
and the
solar incentives
including the new Austin solar
rebates!
The workshop is sponsored by
the Texas State Energy
Conservation Office (SECO) and
Austin Energy and developed and
presented by the Conservation
Services Group (CSG) and Imagine
Solar Int’l. Detailed
information will be posted on
SECO's web site shortly.
September 24
- 26, 2004.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Your
chance to learn about renewable
energy and sustainability,
see and purchase products, have
some quality family fun and
enjoy delicious food in the
setting of charming
Fredericksburg. If
you or anyone you know may
be interested in being a
volunteer, speaker, or exhibitor
at this event, please visit www.theroundup.org for
additional information. We
have a few openings left!
 |
National &
International Events |
|
 |
July 9 - 14, 2004.
Portland, Oregon
The
ONLY conference that
brings together ALL
solar disciplines and
solar enthusiasts,
SOLAR
2004 will feature well
over 300 presentations;
numerous workshops and
tours; an exciting
energy fair on Sunday;
an overflowing exhibit
hall with renewable
energy products and
services on display; and
a chance to renew old
friendships and make new
ones. See the (nearly)
final program | | | | | |
