Iowa Blazes Trail From Cornfields to Wind Fields

Iowa innovation and leadership moving wind energy toward next stage of transmission frontier

Iowa's leadership in wind energy continues to gain momentum as the state looks to ramp up efforts to export wind energy beyond its state lines – all while moving toward exceeding national goals of the amount of energy produced from wind. With 14 percent of Iowa's in-state energy produced by wind, the state is looking to make significant strides in transmission infrastructure policy as the industry matures in the United States.

As a result of Iowa's efforts, regions looking to increase their renewable energy portfolios, like the Tennessee Valley Authority and WE Energies of Milwaukee, can tap into wind energy from Iowa to meet their renewable energy standards. The next frontier will be efficient transmission of wind power across multiple state lines to East Coast population centers that need wind power most.

"As wind energy matures from a revolutionary idea into a dependable and pivotal resource for our nation, it only makes sense to ensure its availability where energy demand is greatest," said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. "In the last five years, eight wind manufactures have relocated to Iowa, further demonstrating our state's strength in the industry.

"TPI Composite's plan for an additional facility in Sioux City is the most recent example of increased momentum and continued growth of Iowa's wind manufacturing capacity," Culver added.

In fact, Iowa leads the nation in wind industry manufacturing facilities and workers employed in wind industry manufacturing, and the state comes in second in the nation in wind industry construction and operations management jobs. More jobs are on the horizon, with approximately 14,569 more megawatts of generating capacity projects planned.

In keeping with the world's growing demand for wind power, Iowa has unveiled a new, aggressive plan to generate 50 percent of its electricity from wind, using 20 percent within state lines and exporting the additional 30 percent to other states. To meet the infrastructure demands of this goal, Iowa's government, economic development department and business leaders have focused efforts to attract wind turbine production companies and the accompanying logistics support to the state.

The results include up to 10,000 jobs in the wind energy sector, supported in 2009 with annual property tax payments by wind project owners of $16.5 million, and annual land lease payments of $11 million.

Iowa's educational system has also ramped up to meet the demand for skilled workers. The first and only two-year training program in wind energy and turbine technology in the country is offered at Iowa Lakes Community College. The first-of-its-kind Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND) connects Iowa's three Regents universities, seven of its community colleges, the state government, and the wind energy industry to offer options ranging from certifications to bachelor's and master's degrees that support wind energy companies and their research and training needs.

All of these efforts are building on the momentum from nearly three decades of pioneering efforts in wind energy policy. Iowa was one of the first states to enact a renewable energy standard by passing the Alternative Energy Production Law in 1983. The law requires investor-owned utilities to purchase a shared total of 105 MW of in-state renewable generating capacity and associated energy production.

Today, Iowa has a wealth of wind energy to sell. In 2009, Iowa produced more wind energy as a percentage of overall production than any other state and was second only to Texas in total amount of energy produced from wind, with 3,670 MW of installed capacity.

Iowa generated 14.2 percent of the state's overall electricity from wind in 2009, far ahead of the nation's figure of 1.8 percent. The U.S. Department of Energy established a national goal of generating 20 percent of the nation's energy from wind by 2030 and Iowa is well on its way of exceeding that goal.

"Iowa's standard for wind energy propelled the industry into the robust economy it is today and is helping to fuel future growth," said Bret Mills, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). "Consumers want more renewable energy sources, and Iowa leaders in the private and public sectors are making that happen."

Follow the latest news from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) on Twitter (@IowaWind) and Facebook (Facebook.com/IowaWind) before and during AWEA's 2010 WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition. For more information visit www.IowaLifeChanging.com

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We Cannot Drill Or Mine Our Way To Energy Security

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont issued the following statement today, the clearest statement yet on the need to transform our energy infrastructure for the 21st Century.

"The unfolding disaster of the sinking and leaking of a drilling platform off the Louisiana coast, together with the recent tragedies at coal mines in West Virginia, remind us of some of the high human, environmental and economic costs associated with the extraction of fossil fuels. These incidents are all the more troubling because the evidence is clear that we cannot drill or mine our way to long-term energy security.

"Many workers have lost their lives and their families have lost loved ones and breadwinners. In the Gulf right now we have delicate ocean and coastal ecosystems at risk, as well as wildlife and fishery populations and the livelihoods of communities in several states. This accident may be the worst environmental disaster in recent years and brings into question the many claims about safety and advanced technology in the industry.

"This is a disaster for all concerned and especially for the people of the Gulf Coast. It should also be a learning experience. I strongly support the hearings that are being organized in the Senate and the House, and I hope there will be further significant inquiries as the situation develops.

"We need to adopt a comprehensive energy strategy that addresses the challenges of the 21st Century and does not simply rely on the energy sources of the past. We need to be more creative and in ways that strengthen our economy, our security and our environment. Our long-term energy security depends on promoting energy efficiency and supporting domestic sources of clean, renewable power such as biomass, solar, and wind energy. Instead of focusing so much on securing more fossil fuels, it is crucial that we address our dependence on oil, invest in renewable energy, and offer incentives for utility companies and others to use these clean, domestic forms of energy."

Source: Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy

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Dow Corning CEO Urges Congress on Green Energy Incentives

Dr. Stephanie A. Burns, Dow Corning's chairman, president and CEO, testified today before the House Ways & Means Committee at a hearing on energy tax incentives and the green job economy. The central message of her testimony was: "America’s energy transformation is inexorably linked to our nation’s economic and manufacturing future."

Dr. Burns noted that Dow Corning has announced more than $5 billion in investments in solar technology. Most of that is in capital for advanced manufacturing operations for polycrystalline silicon. It also includes other operations like research & development and materials that improve the performance and cost efficiency of solar cells and modules. Dr. Burns pointed out that these recent initiatives build on a 70-year history at Dow Corning of producing products focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Companies such as Dow Corning and its joint venture partners are manufacturing solar and other renewable energy-related materials here in America. This creates thousands of jobs in construction, engineering, science and skilled trades, according to Dr. Burns.

The problem is that many countries are now competing for these good jobs with tax credits and other incentives to attract green and sustainable investments. "Other nations have enacted aggressive policies to support the growth of the renewable energy industry," she said. "Companies that hope to manufacture in the United States are faced with a tax structure that encourages them to do otherwise. It is time for America to enact policies that will essentially assure this industry grows here."

Dr. Burns pointed out that recent initiatives such as the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have had a very positive impact by leveraging investments from the private sector. She urged Congress to do even more to stay competitive in the global clean technology race. The tax credit was capped at $2.3 billion, and was significantly oversubscribed. According to the Department of Energy, there were many viable projects that were not funded. With that in mind, Dr. Burns asked Congress to make the tax credit permanent in any energy, climate, or jobs bill now under development. "This will help propel America into an era of sustained, renewable energy use and help put Americans back to work," she said.

Dr. Burn's complete testimony before Congress is available by clicking here.

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China Leads US and Other G-20 Members in Clean Energy Finance and Investment

For the first time, China led the United States and other G-20 members in 2009 clean energy investments and finance, according to data released today by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Last year, China invested $34.6 billion in the clean energy economy -- nearly double the United States' total of $18.6 billion. Over the last five years, the United States also trailed five G-20 members (Turkey, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, and Italy) in the rate of clean energy investment growth.

In the Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? Growth, Competition and Opportunity in the World's Largest Economies, Pew examines key financial, investment and technological trends related to G-20 members and the clean energy economy. The report tracks and measures global investment activity -- ranging from venture capital, initial public offerings from companies seeking to expand, mergers and acquisitions and lending for large-scale projects -- in this sector. Pew found that the global clean energy economy has experienced remarkable growth:

• Globally, clean energy investments have increased 230 percent since 2005.
• Investment by nearly all G-20 members grew by more than 50 percent over the past five years.
• Despite a worldwide recession, global clean energy investments reached $162 billion in 2009.
• G-20 members accounted for more than 90 percent of worldwide clean energy finance and investment.
• More than 250 gigawatts of renewable energy generating capacity have been installed around the world, producing six percent of global energy.
• Global clean energy investments are projected to reach $200 billion in 2010.

"Even in the midst of a global recession, the clean energy market has experienced impressive growth," said Phyllis Cuttino, who directs the Pew Environment Group's Global Warming Campaign. "Countries are jockeying for leadership. They know that investing in clean energy can renew manufacturing bases, and create export opportunities, jobs and businesses."

"The facts speak for themselves," said Bloomberg New Energy Finance Chief Executive Michael Liebreich. "2009 clean energy investment in China totaled $34.6 billion, while in the United States it totaled $18.6 billion. China is now clearly the world leader in attracting new capital and making new investments in this area."

Countries with strong nationwide policy frameworks, including renewable energy standards, carbon markets, priority loans for renewable energy projects and mandated clean energy targets, such as China, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany, have the most robust clean energy sectors as a percentage of their economies. Countries without such policy frameworks including the United States, Japan, and Australia lag behind.

"The United States' competitive position is at risk in the emerging clean energy economy," said Cuttino. "Our nation has a critical choice to make: pass the federal policies necessary to position us as the world leader in the large and growing global clean energy market or continue to watch as China and other countries race ahead."

The United States' clean energy finance and investments lagged behind 10 G-20 members in percentage of gross domestic product. For instance, in relative terms, Spain invested five times more than the United States last year, and China and the United Kingdom three times more.

The United States did lead G-20 members in venture capital and private equity investments associated with technology innovation. However, it trailed in 2009 asset financing, with only $11.2 billion, while China led with $29.8 billion. Asset financing serves as a key barometer of clean energy deployment, job creation and business growth.

Pew published Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? to highlight how G-20 members are participating and where they rank in the clean energy economy. The data have been compiled and reviewed by Pew's research partner, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the world's leading independent provider of news, data, research and analysis to decision-makers in renewable energy, carbon markets, energy smart technologies, and carbon capture and storage. The report's primary focus is on investment as it is the fuel that propels the innovation, commercialization, manufacturing and installation of clean energy technologies.

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Inventor Seeks Licensee for Gulf Stream Turbine Patents

Gulf Stream Turbines LLC is seeking a suitable company or group of investors that will license an invention that can produce continuous low-cost electricity from the constantly flowing Gulf Stream.

Unlike the intermittent energy that is in the winds, tides, and waves, the Gulf Stream's kinetic energy is relatively steady because it is produced by a Coriolis force that results from the earth's eastward rotation. It is because of the Gulf Stream's greater steadiness that the Gulf Stream Turbines can continuously generate power at near their theoretical capacities, making it possible for them to produce from two to six times the electricity that can be produced by the wind turbines and at one-half to one-sixth the cost.

"Because these submersible power plants will be in the ocean, they must be able to operate for long periods without requiring servicing," said John Robson, the inventor. "This is made possible by relying on the unchanging laws of physics – rather than on mechanical systems that can fail."

Robson said, "A free-floating submerged object will always float with its center of gravity directly under its center of buoyancy. This fact not only can provide great inherent stability but also permit a machine's depth to be easily changed by transferring ballast water between the front and rear compartments of the buoyancy tank to adjust the hydrofoils' lifting forces. It also can make the machines much easier to install and recover."

Companies that generate electricity from renewable energy are eligible for a government production tax credit of 2.1 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first ten years of a renewable-energy facilities' operation. The Gulf Stream's more consistent kinetic energy not only will produce from two to six times the revenues from the sale of the electricity, but also from that subsidy.

The Gulf Stream Turbines will also produce proportionally larger reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases. A single Gulf Stream Turbine that is equipped with two 600-kW generators will theoretically generate 8,941,300 kilowatt-hours per year, operating at 85% of its theoretical capacity. If that electricity were to replace the electricity produced by a coal plant, the CO2 emissions would be reduced by about 13,000 tons. If that electricity were to replace the electricity produced by burning natural gas, the emissions would be reduced by 5,900 tons and gas consumption by 52.85 billion Btu.

Because the earnings produced by the Gulf Stream Turbines will substantially exceed those of the other renewable energy generating systems, thousands of these machines could soon be generating electricity from that current is just off the coast of South Florida.

Gulf Stream Turbines LLC was formed in 2009 for the purpose of getting the invention into production.

For additional information, visit www.gulfstreamturbine.com.

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Envirepel Clean Renewable Energy Facility to Reopen

Envirepel Energy, Inc. ("EEI"), a privately held company in Vista, California, announced today it plans to reopen its first Renewable Energy Facility ("Kittyhawk") by the middle of April 2010, after temporarily closing it in June 2009 to address a shareholder proxy effort.

The Kittyhawk Project is a 2.5 MW biomass fueled power generating facility, with additional bio-fuel production from recovered water and CO2. The "anti-global warming" and virtually non-polluting facility design was permitted and built in the middle of a commercial business park. Kittyhawk sets the stage for many additional environmentally friendly facilities to be developed and financed. "By ensuring that the facility doesn't give off any significant amounts of pollution, EEI has shown that we can obtain very difficult permits where others cannot," said Anthony J. Arand, the Company's Founder, Chairman and CEO.

"I'm very happy to announce that we plan to have our team back to work by the middle of next month, so that we can complete commercial operations of the power plant and the initial bio-fuel production by the 4th quarter of this year. If our CO2 recovery and bio-fuel production technology is successful, then potentially 5% or more of the nation's energy needs could be produced with our process from our country's post recycled landfill waste supply," said Arand.

The California Public Utilities Commission has called EEI "the answer" to California's need for clean renewable energy. EEI would also help to satisfy Governor Schwarzenegger's mandate that renewable energy comprise 20 percent of the electrical energy portfolios of California's utility companies by the end of 2010.

Over the past six years, EEI has designed, developed, manufactured and built the first low emissions combustion system. This ultra low combustion system consumes urban waste that would normally go in a landfill, and also has the capacity to consume high sulfur coal, tires, animal waste and many other "biomass" feed stocks that would pose a significant pollution problem to other power generating, or bio-fuel production facilities.

The company has over 300 MW of projects in various stages of development in San Diego and Imperial Counties. These project sites include business parks, rural agricultural areas, and metropolitan landfill sites. EEI's website is www.envirepel.com.

SOURCE Envirepel Energy, Inc. and PRNewswire.com