News and Events by CCRES December 14, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events December 14, 2012

Energy Department Invests $29 Million in Solar Energy Grid Solutions   The Energy Department on December 7 announced a $29 million investment in four projects that will help advance affordable, reliable clean energy for U.S. families and businesses. These projects, part of the Energy Department's SunShot Initiative, are aimed at improving grid connection and reducing installation costs through innovative plug-and-play technologies and reliable solar power forecasts. The Department announced a $21 million investment over five years to design plug-and-play photovoltaic (PV) systems that can be purchased, installed, and operational in one day. Plug-and-play PV systems will make the process of buying, installing, and connecting solar energy systems faster and less expensive for homeowners. Fraunhofer USA’s Center for Sustainable Energy Systems in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will develop PV technologies that allow homeowners to easily select the right solar system for their house and install, wire and connect to the grid. Additionally, North Carolina State University will lead a project to create standard PV components and system designs that can adapt simply to any residential roof and can be installed and connected to the grid quickly and efficiently. This effort is part of the Department’s broader initiative to bring down "soft" or non-module hardware costs. The Department also announced an $8 million investment in two projects to help utilities and grid operators better forecast when, where, and how much solar power will be produced at U.S. solar energy plants. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, based in Boulder, Colorado, will research methods to understand cloud impact and develop short-term prediction techniques based on this work. Also, the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Armonk, New York, will lead a new project based on the Watson computer system that uses big data processing and self-adjusting algorithms to integrate different prediction models and learning technologies. These projects are working with the Energy Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to improve the accuracy of solar forecasts and share the results of this work with industry and academia. Enhanced solar forecasting technologies will help power system operators to integrate cost-competitive, reliable solar energy into the electricity grid. The SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. See the Energy Department press release.   Energy Department, EPA Release 2013 Annual Fuel Economy Guide   The 2013 Scion iQ EV, a minicompact, is the top rated car in the 2013 Fuel Economy Guide. Credit: Scion The Energy Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 6 released the 2013 Fuel Economy Guide, giving consumers information to help them choose the most fuel-efficient and lowest greenhouse gas-emitting vehicles. The 2013 models include efficient and low-emission vehicles in a variety of classes and sizes, but notable this year is the growing availability of hybrids and the increasing number of electric vehicles (EV). This year's guide gives consumers a broad range of information that they can use to select their next fuel-efficient vehicle, whether they want to consider an EV or one that uses a more conventional fuel. For the first time, the EPA and the Energy Department have added a second top ten list of most efficient vehicles—separating advanced technology vehicles from conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. Electric and plug-in hybrid electric models are the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emission vehicles available and are becoming more common. At the same time, consumers may still look up the conventional gasoline and diesel models that offer superior fuel efficiency. The overall highest-ranking vehicle was the Scion iQ EV, a minicompact with a 121 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) rating. Some of the other cars topping their classes are: the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid and 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which tied for best in the midsized class with 58 MPGe for use of both electricity and gasoline; the 2013 Tesla Model S (60 kilowatt-hour battery pack), ranked best in the large car class with a 95 MPGe rating; and the 2013 Toyota Prius v, which topped the midsized wagon class with a 42 miles per gallon rating. See the Energy Department press release and the www.fueleconomy.gov website.   EIA Report: U.S. Renewables Rise by 2040   Renewable energy use will grow at a much faster rate than fossil energy use through 2040, according to projections in the Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Reference case, part of a preliminary report released on December 5 by theU.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The Reference case focuses on the factors that shape U.S. energy markets, and projects that the use of renewable energy in the United States as a percentage of total energy use will grow from 13% in 2011 to 16% in 2040. Electricity generation from solar and wind energy will expand because recent cost declines make them more economical. The EIA report also projects increased sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which grow to about 1.3 million vehicles in 2035—about 20% higher than last year's Reference case. The 2013 report also noted that continued fuel economy improvement in vehicles using other alternative fuels, gasoline, and diesel, combined with growth in the use of hybrid technologies (including micro, mild, full, and plug-in hybrid vehicles), limit the use of electric vehicles over the projection. As a result of improved energy efficiency and a shift away from the most carbon-intensive fuels, U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions could remain more than 5% below their 2005 level through 2040. In particular, emissions from gasoline are expected to be lower in the 2013 Reference case than in the 2012 report as a result of the adoption of fuel economy standards, biofuel mandates, and shifts in consumer behavior. See the EIA press release and the EIA report overview .   Energy Department Issues Tribal Renewable Energy Guidance   The Energy Department on December 5 announced two new initiatives aimed at driving increased renewable energy production and sustainable economic development in Indian Country. As part of the Energy Department's efforts to support tribal renewable energy production, the Department issued a policy statement and guidance that gives preference to Indian tribes when its facilities contract to purchase renewable energy products or by-products based on authorities under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Department also announced new training and education resources to help Tribal Nations advance local renewable energy project financing and development. The Department's Office of Indian Energy Policy and the Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently issued an updated estimate of the renewable energy potential on Indian lands. While American Indian land comprises about 2% of all U.S. land, this analysis found that Indian lands contain 5% of total U.S. renewable energy resource potential, including high generation potential for solar, wind, and hydropower, among other renewable resources. See the Energy Department press release.

Site News  CCRES news and events will go on a two-week holiday hiatus following publication of the December 19 edition. We will resume the regular weekly schedule on January 11, 2013.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Announcing the Apps for Vehicles Challenge   By Patrick B. Davis, Vehicle Technologies program manager Here at the Energy Department's Vehicle Technologies Program, we’re revved up about the next great smartphone app: yours. That's why we're launching the Apps for Vehicles Challenge, which is looking for the best business plans, app ideas, and product designs that use open vehicle data to help vehicle owners save fuel, save money, and stay safe. Improving fuel efficiency is a national priority. With the country spending about $1 billion per day on foreign oil, the Obama Administration spearheaded changes to fuel economy standards that will double fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks by 2025. Automotive manufacturers are working to meet this target, but everyday drivers, businesses, and the public sector can also contribute toward meeting these national goals. For example, the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program is managing some of the most fascinating research projects and deployment programs in the country to support the cars and trucks of the future. Furthermore, in terms of what individual vehicle owners or fleet managers can do, there is an emerging set of tools that leverage open data to improve safety and fuel efficiency. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES November 09, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events November 09, 2012

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Debuts Titan Supercomputer   The Energy Department's Oak Ridge National Laboratory Titan supercomputer will be 10 times faster than the previous fastest Energy Department computer. Credit: ORNL The Energy Department's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on October 29 debuted the Titan supercomputer, a system capable of a theoretical peak performance exceeding 20 trillion calculations per second (or 20 petaflops). Titan employs a family of processors called graphic processing units (GPU), first created for computer gaming, and will be 10 times more powerful than ORNL's last world-leading system, Jaguar. Titan will provide unprecedented computing power for research in energy, climate change, efficient engines, materials, and other disciplines and will pave the way for a wide range of achievements in science and technology. Titan utilizes a Cray XK7 system contains 18,688 nodes, each holding a 16-core AMD Opteron 6274 processor and an NVIDIA Tesla K20 GPU accelerator. Titan also has more than 700 terabytes of memory. The combination of central processing units, the traditional foundation of high-performance computers, and more recent GPUs will allow Titan to occupy the same space as its Jaguar predecessor while using only marginally more electricity. See the ORNL press release.   USDA Announces $3 Million in Smart Grid Funding   The U.S. Department of Agriculture on October 19 announced $107.5 million in loan guarantees to modernize and improve rural electric systems, including nearly $3 million in Smart Grid technologies in North Dakota and Wisconsin. According to a 2009 Energy Department report that examined Smart Grid deployment nationwide, Smart Grids have the potential to dramatically change how we manage electricity use in the United States. In August, the USDA reported that it had met its goal to finance $250 million in Smart Grid technologies in fiscal year 2012. See the USDA press release.   Navy's China Lake Solar Plant Begins Operations   SunPower Corp. on October 19 announced the completion of the U.S. Navy's largest solar system, a 13.78-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power system at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The power plant is the first federal agency project to be financed through a 20-year term solar power purchase agreement. The plant, designed and operated by SunPower Corp., is generating the equivalent of more than 30% of China Lake's annual energy load, helping to reduce costs by an estimated $13 million over the next 20 years. The 20-year power purchase agreement requires no upfront capital or maintenance obligations from the Navy, matches conventional project financing terms for solar power facilities, and allows the Navy to secure electricity at up to 30% below the rate available through shorter duration 10-year power purchase agreements. SunPower has installed more than 50 megawatts (MW) of solar power systems at government facilities to date. The systems the company has delivered to the Navy and U.S. Air Force alone generate enough electricity to power about 9,000 homes. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the Navy and Air Force systems will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by almost 732,000 tons over the next 20 years. See the SunPower press release. China Lake also has four geothermal power plants that produce up to 270 MW of electricity, or enough electricity for approximiately 378,000 households. The site has been in continuous operation since 1987, and was the Navy's first site to tap thermal energy. See the China Lake Natural Resources webpage.   Interior Announces Lease for Delaware Offshore Wind   The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on October 23 that BOEM has reached an agreement on the first commercial lease under its "Smart from the Start" initiative for offshore wind energy development. Situated in federal waters, the site covers 96,430 acres approximately 11 nautical miles off the coast of Delaware. The lease grants NRG Bluewater Wind Delaware LLC the exclusive right to submit one or more plans to BOEM to conduct activities in support of wind energy development in the lease area. The company may submit a Site Assessment Plan with a proposal to conduct site assessment activities, such as the installation of a meteorological tower or meteorological buoy. It can also submit a Construction and Operations Plan to propose construction of the actual wind facility and cabling to shore. NRG Bluewater originally proposed a 450-megawatt project off the coast of Delaware, with estimates that the project could generate enough power to supply electricity for more than 100,000 homes. This estimate could change after NRG undergoes additional planning and survey work and submits its plan to BOEM, which will assess the potential plans based on environmental, technical, and other factors before granting approval for construction. The Smart from the Start initiative for the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, announced in 2010, is designed to facilitate siting, leasing, and construction of new offshore renewable projects. See the DOI press release and the BOEM Delaware webpage, which includes a map of the site.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

INCITE Program Doles Out Hours on Supercomputers   What's one recipe for accelerating scientific discovery and innovation? Start by taking a couple of world-class supercomputers, including Titan, which just debuted as the world's most powerful machine for open science. Provide serious processing hours to dozens of brilliant people working on the toughest problems they can find. Plug the programs in and let them cook. When they're done, the result is simulations that astonish the mind, and more importantly, solutions that increase America's competitiveness and may lead to significant scientific advances. In a sense, that's the recipe for success of the INCITE (Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment) program. Since the program made its first awards in 2004, it has provided more than 10 billion processing hours on the Energy Department's fastest supercomputers to scientists across the globe taking on the field’s most difficult challenges. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.   Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES October 25, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources News and Events October 25, 2012

Interior Department Hits Goal for Renewable Energy on Public Lands   The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on October 10 announced that the Department has reached the President's goal of authorizing 10,000 megawatts of renewable power on public lands. DOI hit the milestone with its finding that the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project site in southeastern Wyoming is suitable for wind energy development. The project is a proposed complex that could generate up to 3,000 megawatts of power. Developers expect the proposal to create an estimated 1,000 construction, operation, and maintenance jobs at peak construction, employ 114 permanent workers, and generate enough energy to power nearly 1 million homes. The decision authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to proceed with site-specific environmental analyses for the Sierra Madre and Chokecherry wind farms and infrastructures. Additional environmental reviews will be needed for the turbine layouts. The proposed project would consist of two sites encompassing up to 1,000 wind turbines on approximately 219,707 acres of land about 10 miles south of Rawlins. It will be developed in phases and operated by Power Company of Wyoming LLC. When constructed, the wind complex is expected to have a footprint of less than 2,000 acres. Since 2009, DOI has authorized 33 renewable energy projects, including 18 utility-scale solar facilities, seven wind farms, and eight geothermal plants, with associated transmission corridors and infrastructures that will enable the projects to connect to established power grids. When built, these projects will provide more than 10,000 megawatts of power, or enough electricity to power more than 3.5 million homes. They would also support an estimated 13,000 construction and operations jobs, according to project developers. See the DOI press release.   Report: Utility Efficiency Could Save Southwest Consumers $20 Billion   Expanded energy efficiency programs from utilities in six Southwestern states could save consumers $20 billion by 2020, according to a new study. The Colorado-based public interest group Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) on October 9 released The $20 Billion Bonanza: Best Practice Utility Energy Efficiency Programs and Their Benefits for the Southwest. The report finds that it is feasible to achieve a 21% reduction in electricity by the year 2020 through energy efficiency programs implemented from 2010 to 2020. The study also states that every dollar invested in energy efficiency programs returns more than two dollars in savings on business and household utility bills. The report identifies the most effective utility energy efficiency programs across the country and analyzes the costs and benefits of implementing these programs in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The $20 Billion Bonanza notes that utilities in the Southwest have made considerable progress in helping their customers save electricity, but urges further action in related policy. See the SWEEP press release and the SWEEP website.   Defense Department Publishes Annual Energy Management Report   The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently released its "Annual Energy Management Report" for Fiscal Year 2011. The 441-page document details DOD activities to promote energy security and leverage new energy technologies, focusing on energy at its fixed installations. The Department's annual energy bill is approximately $4 billion, partly because it manages more than 500 installations comprising nearly 2.3 billion square feet of building space in 300,000 buildings throughout the United States and overseas. This annual report discusses a variety of energy issues, including DOD efforts to manage its facility energy program and reduce energy consumption in part by increasing the supply of renewable energy. See the DOD Installations and Environment webpage and the complete report. In a new analysis of DOD investments in clean energy innovation, The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a non-partisan research and educational institute, reported that DOD’s investments in clean energy innovation were second only to the Energy Department in 2012. The group's report, Lean, Mean, and Clean II: Assessing DOD Investments in Clean Energy Innovation, released on October 16, finds that DOD has invested $5 billion in clean energy since Fiscal Year 2009. The study also found that DOD now invests nearly twice as much in procuring new clean energy technologies than it does procuring commercial, off-the-shelf technologies. Also, of all the branches of the military, the U.S. Navy invested the most in energy innovation by committing nearly $500 million in FY2012 to next-generation technologies in electricity, transportation, and alternative fuels. See the report.   New Fast-Charging Standard Released for Electric Vehicles   A newly published technical standard could cut charging time for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV) from eight hours to as short as 20 minutes. SAE International, a global industry association, announced on October 15 that its long-awaited voluntary standard, which was developed in a consensus with industry experts and Energy Department national laboratories, was approved and published. The standard represents the future of charging technology and Smart Grid interaction, according to SAE International. The standard will help reduce the amount of time a consumer spends at public charging stations and enable consumers to travel greater distances in their PHEVs and EVs before needing to charge. Ford Motor Company, which participated in developing the standard, issued a statement praising the standard because it augments and is compatible with the existing electric vehicle charging standard employed by all automakers in the United States. See the SAE International press release, a standards summary , and the Ford Motor Company press release.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Green Button Energy Data Access Expanding Across America   The Green Button Initiative aims to provide utility customers with their electricity usage data in a simple and standard format to help them save energy and money, and it might be coming to a utility near you. Kicked off back in January, the Green Button has already had quite a year, but it isn't done yet. On October 1, the Energy Data Initiative announced a further expansion of the Green Button to include 12 new or expanded commitments from utilities and also the first steps toward allowing customers to directly transfer their electricity usage data to third parties, such as app developers. First, in terms of the ability to download Green Button data, 12 new utilities and energy providers have joined 23 others that have already agreed to adopt the Green Button machine-readable data standard. In total, these 35 companies will enable more than 36 million households and businesses to use web and smartphone apps to pick the best rate plan for them, take advantage of customized energy efficiency tips, utilize tools to size and finance rooftop solar panels, and download virtual energy audit software that can cut costs for building owners and help get retrofits started sooner. That's a growth of nearly 5 million new U.S. households and businesses! For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES October 18, 2012

photo by CCRES   Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources News and Events October 18, 2012
Interior Department Approves Solar Energy Zones on Public Lands     Solar zones in six Western states will spur development on public lands like the Ivanpah solar project, shown here, being built on BLM land in California. Credit: BrightSource Energy The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on October 12 finalized a program to spur development of solar energy on public lands in six Western states. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for solar energy development provides a blueprint for utility-scale solar energy permitting in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The PEIS establishes solar energy zones with access to existing or planned transmission, incentives for development within those zones, and a process for consideration of additional zones and solar projects. The Solar PEIS establishes an initial set of 17 Solar Energy Zones, totaling about 285,000 acres of public lands. The zones will serve as priority areas for commercial-scale solar development, with the potential for additional zones through ongoing and future regional planning processes. If fully built out, projects could produce as much as 23,700 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power approximately 7 million U.S. homes. The program also allows, on a case-by-case basis, for the possibility of carefully sited solar projects outside the solar energy zones on about 19 million acres in "variance" areas. See the DOI press release and the complete list of the solar energy zones.   EPA Honors Organizations for Supporting Green Power   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 24 presented its 12th annual Green Power Leadership Awards for achievements in advancing the nation's renewable electricity market. "Green power" is electricity generated from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydropower, and it produces little or no net increase of greenhouse gas emissions. For most municipalities, electricity usage is the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The 24 award-winning partners were chosen from more than 1,300 partner organizations. Utilities, renewable energy project developers, and other green power suppliers were eligible to apply for the "Supplier of the Year" and "Program of the Year" awards. Among the categories were first-ever honorees for "Sustained Excellence in Green Power," including Intel Corporation, Kohl's Department Stores, Staples, and Whole Foods Market. In addition, the "Green Power Partner of the Year" awards went to the City of Austin, Texas, Hilton Worldwide, Microsoft Corporation, and the University of Oklahoma, and the "Green Power Community of the Year" winners were Beaverton, Oregon, and Oak Park, Illinois. See the EPA press release and the Green Power website.   USDA Announces $134 Million in Smart Grid Funding   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on October 11 announced funding to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. The announcement includes additional loan support of $134 million in Smart Grid technologies in 16 states. The selected projects are located in Alabama, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. In August, the USDA reported that it had met its goal to finance $250 million in Smart Grid technologies in fiscal year 2012. USDA also announced nearly $264 million in loans to partially finance wood-burning plants in Colorado, Hawaii, and Texas that are expected to generate 69 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Additionally, $14,565,000 was announced to finance the construction of a 5.5 MW solar-powered generating facility in Maryland. See the USDA press release.   Massachusetts Again Tops State Energy Efficiency Scorecard   Massachusetts topped the list of energy efficient states for the second year—followed by California, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, and Minnesota—according to a new report. The nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) on October 3 released its sixth annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to energy efficiency measures. The report examines six of the primary policy areas in which states typically pursue energy efficiency: utility and "public benefits" programs and policies; transportation policies; building energy codes; combined heat and power policies; state government-led initiatives around energy efficiency; and appliance and equipment standards. Though the baseline year against which ACEEE assessed policy and program changes depends on the policy category, the Council based policy scores on policies that were in place as of September 2012. Among other things, the Council found that utility budgets for electric and natural gas efficiency programs rose to almost $7 billion in 2011, which was a 27% increase over 2010. See the ACEEE press release and the scorecard web-page.
CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov
Investing in America's Solar Workforce   By Minh Le, Acting Program Manager, Solar Program For the U.S. solar market to continue to expand—maintaining a skilled workforce remains tremendously important. This is why the Energy Department recently announced its support for the Photovoltaic Online Training (PVOT) program—a free online training tool specifically designed for code officials who grant permits and perform field inspections for residential solar installations. Using video and photographs to illustrate the correct techniques—PVOT teaches participants how to perform safe solar installations. The online course provides in-depth training in a variety of subjects—including electrical requirements and expedited permitting processes. The end goal is to increase the reach and scale of training available to code officials across the country, while also establishing a consistent and streamlined approach to the residential solar inspection and installation process. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES October 11, 2012

photo by CCRES   Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events October 11, 2012

Energy Department Offers $1 Million for Hydrogen Fuel Technology   The Energy Department on October 5 announced new funding to evaluate the most promising technology paths toward achieving achieving $2 to $4-per-gallon equivalent of hydrogen by 2020. The funding will assist in the Department's broader efforts to give drivers and businesses more options and to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil. To help meet this aggressive goal by 2020, the projects selected through this program will help identify cost-effective materials and processes to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources and natural gas. Researchers will also analyze production and delivery technologies to identify key technical challenges and priorities; they will also continue to evaluate technical progress and hydrogen cost status. This effort will include annual analyses of key technology challenges using the Energy Department's hydrogen analysis models in addition to other industry tools. Applications are due by November 8, 2012. See the Energy Department Progress Alert.   Energy Department Announces Federal Energy Management Award Winners   The Energy Department on October 4 announced the winners of the thirty-first annual Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. These awards recognize the commitment made by federal agencies to invest in efficiency measures that save taxpayer money and increase U.S. energy security. This year's award winners saved a total of 6 trillion Btu of energy, nearly 2 billion gallons of water, and almost $165 million during fiscal year 2011. Their initiatives also helped offset more than 78 billion Btu of fossil-based energy through a combination of renewable energy generation and purchases. The energy savings are equivalent to removing more than 100,000 cars from the road for one year, or eliminating the average annual energy use of more than 55,000 households. This year, 33 individuals, teams, and organizations from across the federal government received awards for a variety of outstanding and innovative efforts that have improved energy, water, and vehicle fleet efficiency. Winners include staff serving the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy; the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security, Interior, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the General Services Administration; and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Among other accomplishments, awardees implemented facility-wide changes to operations and maintenance practices, saving 580 billion Btu by upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment and by installing high efficiency lighting, building materials, and energy management control systems. This includes saving 78 billion Btu through the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, cogeneration systems using landfill gas, and geothermal heat pumps. Some of those recognized demonstrated the substantial benefits of using performance-based contracts to meet mandated energy goals, while others pursued building facilities that meet the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification with state-of-the-art technologies and environmentally-friendly workspaces. See the Energy Department Progress Alert and the complete list of winners.   Big Data Challenge Series Launched for U.S. Governmental Agencies   NASA on October 3 announced the launch of the Big Data Challenge, a series of competitions hosted through the NASA Tournament Lab (NTL). The Big Data Challenge series will apply the process of open innovation to conceptualizing novel approaches to using "big data" information sets from various U.S. governmental agencies. This data comes from the fields of health, energy, and Earth science. Competitors will be tasked with imagining analytical techniques and software tools that use big data from discrete government information domains. They will need to describe how the data may be shared as universal, cross-agency solutions that transcend the limitations of individual agencies. The competition will be run by the NTL, which is a collaboration between NASA, Harvard University, and TopCoder, a competitive community of digital creators. The TopCoder Open Innovation platform and process allows U.S. government agencies to conduct high risk/high reward challenges in an open and transparent environment with predictable costs, measurable outcomes-based results, and the potential to move quickly into unanticipated directions of software technology. The National Science Foundation and the Energy Department are partners in the competition. Registration is open through Oct. 13 for the Ideation Challenge phase, the first of four idea generation competitions in the series. See the NASA press release and the competition details.   USDA Announces New Funding for Rural Smart Grid Technologies   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on October 4 announced new funding to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. The announcement includes support for $9.8 million in loan guarantees for Smart Grid technologies in 10 states. The funds will go to entities in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia. See the USDA press release. Last month, the USDA announced that it had met its goal to finance $250 million in smart grid technologies in fiscal year 2012. In 2009, the Energy Department released the first Smart Grid System Report, which examined Smart Grid deployment nationwide. The report noted that Smart Grids have the potential to dramatically change how we manage electricity use in the United States. See the July 22, 2009 edition of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network News newsletter.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Increasing Solar Energy Awareness in El Paso   With nearly 300 sunny days a year, El Paso, Texas, is an ideal location for solar energy installations, which is why the city recently launched its first Renewable Energy Education Project using solar energy. Located in downtown El Paso's Calvary Man Triangle, the project's centerpiece—the Aztec Calendar Pavilion—is a domed-shaped public gathering and performance space made with a combination of steel, concrete, solar panels, light condensers, and crystal prisms. It incorporates Aztec designs, paying homage to the civilization’s impressive architectural accomplishments. The pavilion provides four 110V AC solar-powered outlets where visitors can charge their electronic devices using clean solar energy. Excess solar energy will be fed back into the city’s power grid. Visitors to the pavilion will be able to have a unique educational experience learning how solar energy works and seeing a real-time digital readout displaying current energy usage statistics. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES October 04, 2012

photo by CCRES Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events October 04, 2012

Energy Department Offers Online Training for Residential PV Inspectors   The SunShot Initiative's free online tool will help code inspectors learn needed skills to ensure best practices. Credit: Craig Miller Productions The Energy Department on October 1 announced a free online training program for building and electrical code officials who perform inspections for residential photovoltaic (PV) solar energy installations. This training program will help establish a consistent and streamlined PV inspection process in jurisdictions throughout the country, saving time and reducing costs for consumers. The Photovoltaic Online Training (PVOT) program is a learning tool that uses video and photographs to illustrate correct techniques for safe solar installations that comply with all relevant building and electrical codes. It includes seven online modules, providing lessons in subjects such as roof and ground-mounted PV arrays, electrical requirements, equipment ratings, and expedited permitting. The first six lessons contain sequential material while the final module provides a virtual walk along a roofline, similar to what an inspector sees in a real-world situation. The PVOT program tracks each participant's progress and test scores, and meets professional licensing requirements for ongoing education in most cities and states. The curriculum complies with current National Electrical Code requirements and industry standards, which are referenced throughout the modules. Although the program is geared to code officials, it is also appropriate for solar installers, architects, students, and consumers who are interested in this growing field. While participation in the course is free, there is a nominal fee for obtaining continuing education units through the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI). The Interstate Renewable Energy Council developed the PVOT program for the Energy Department as part of its SunShot Initiative's Solar Instructor Training Network, which aims to strengthen the quality and capacity of solar PV professional training across the country. See the Energy Department's Progress Alert.   Interior Department Approves Transmission Line for California Solar Project   The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on September 26 approved construction of the transmission line for First Solar's Campo Verde Solar energy project, which will cross public lands southwest of El Centro in Southern California. The 139-megawatt solar energy project is expected to support more than 250 construction and operation jobs. At full capacity, the Campo Verde facility will produce enough electricity to power 41,700 homes. Electricity from the Campo Verde photovoltaic plant will be transmitted to San Diego Gas and Electric Company's Imperial Valley Substation. The Campo Verde facility is located on about 1,443 acres of privately-owned land. DOI approved the right-of-way for the power line to cross 17 acres of public land. See the DOI press release.   Registration Now Open for 2013 Science Bowl Teams   The Energy Department on October 2 announced that registration is now open for the 2013 National Science Bowl. This marks the beginning of the 23rd year of the nation's largest science competition, which is sponsored by the Energy Department's Office of Science. Local middle school and high school students form teams that compete in regional competitions. The winning teams from the regional competitions then advance to the National Science Bowl competition in Washington, D.C., next spring. Designed to encourage students to excel in science and math and to pursue careers in those fields, the National Science Bowl brings together thousands of students from across the country to compete on a range of science disciplines in a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style format. In 2013, there will be a new high school regional competition in Alaska, as well as five new middle school regional competitions, including events in Alaska and Puerto Rico. Winners of the regional competitions will be awarded all-expenses paid trips to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., scheduled for April 25-29, 2013. To register for their respective regional competitions in the upcoming Science Bowl, teams should go to the National Science Bowl website. See the Energy Department press release and the competition website.   NREL Study: Hybrid Vans Get 20% Higher Fuel Economy   The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently completed a performance evaluation report that showed hybrid electric delivery vans had a 13% to 20% higher fuel economy compared to similar conventional vans. The new NREL report, Eighteen-Month Final Evaluation of UPS Second Generation Diesel Hybrid Electric Delivery Vans, details the impact of hybridization on fuel economy and performance and identifies the conditions under which hybrids offer maximum fuel savings. The NREL team collected and analyzed in-service fuel economy, maintenance, and other vehicle performance data on 11 hybrid and 11 conventional step vans operated by the United Parcel Service (UPS) in Minneapolis. The hybrid vans feature hybrid propulsion systems with 44-kilowatt electric motors, lithium-ion batteries, and regenerative braking, which captures energy normally lost during braking to power the electric motor. See the NREL press release and the complete report.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Celebrating Innovation and Open Data at the Energy Datapalooza Dozens of the nation's leading entrepreneurs and innovators gathered at the White House on October 1 to celebrate new products, mobile phone applications, and services that lower energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and protect the environment. The event—"Energy Datapalooza"—was the first annual showcase for the Energy Data Initiative, launched by the Administration earlier this year to liberate data as a fuel of innovation while rigorously protecting privacy. The common thread throughout the new products showcased at the Energy Datapalooza: they all use freely available open data from the U.S. government. "We use open data in all of our products," says Martha Amram, CEO of WattzOn, an energy efficiency company that saves homeowners money. "The government datasets and technologies are valuable but often complex in the raw form. We integrate open data along with proprietary and third-party sources to deliver innovations that make a real difference for people." For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES September 27, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events September 27, 2012

One of World's Largest Wind Farms Starts Up in Oregon   The Shepherds Flat wind farm, one of the largest in the world, is now operating in Oregon. Credit: Energy Department Caithness Energy announced on September 22 that its Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Oregon—one of the largest in the world—is now operational and generating up to 845 megawatts of electricity. The Energy Department supported the project with a $1.3 billion partial loan guarantee through the Recovery Act in 2010. The company said the project in the northeastern part of the state will generate enough electricity to power 235,000 U.S. homes. Sponsored by Caithness and General Electric (GE) Energy Financial Services, the project consists of 338 GE 2.5xl turbines, which are being deployed for the first time in North America. The project's output is contracted through 20-year power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison. The project will eliminate nearly1,216,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, an amount equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from more than 212,000 passenger vehicles. See the Caithness press release and the October 13, 2010 edition of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy newsletter.   USDA Announces $10 Million in Rural Smart Grid Funds   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on September 20 the latest in a series of funding steps to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. The agency will offer loan guarantees to support nearly $10 million in smart grid technologies. One of the loan recipients is Nobles Cooperative Electric, which serves counties in southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. Their loan includes $850,000 in smart grid projects. The Gundy Electric Cooperative, Inc., which serves customers in Iowa and Missouri, has also been selected for a loan guarantee that includes over $700,000 in smart grid projects. Earlier this month, the USDA announced it had met its goal to finance $250 million in smart grid technologies in fiscal year 2012. See the USDA press release. In 2009, the Energy Department released the first Smart Grid System Report, which examined smart grid deployment nationwide. The report noted that smart grids have the potential to dramatically change how we experience electricity in the country. See the July 22, 2009 edition of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network News newsletter.   New York Brings Energy Efficient Technologies to Market   New York announced on September 17 the launch of a $30 million initiative to accelerate the commercialization of emerging, cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies. The Energy Efficiency Market Acceleration Program (EE-MAP) is being implemented by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The new initiative will fund research, market development activities, and demonstration projects to help leverage investments and promote business development opportunities for emerging energy efficiency technologies. The program will focus on accelerating the market development of energy efficiency technologies by speeding their deployment and training engineers, contractors, and maintenance service providers in designing and installing energy efficiency products, among other efforts. To support the initiative, NYPA has teamed with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Electric Power Research Institute, a nonprofit collaborative research organization, to catalog state-of-the-art energy efficiency products and services, identify commercial trends, and screen and track emerging technologies. See the New York press release.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Clean Energy in Our Community: Allegheny College and Meadville, Pennsylvania   In the third edition of DOE's "Clean Energy in Our Community" video series, Allegheny College shows us that size doesn't matter. Even with only 2,100 undergraduate students, Allegheny is successfully incorporating sustainability into its culture, operations, and curriculum—helping to grow the local green energy economy both on and off its Meadville, Pennsylvania, campus. By working with students, faculty, staff, and local partners, the campus has created a composting facility that processes between 800-900 pounds of food, compostable paper, and plastic each day. The result is a soil-like, nutrient-rich material that helps to replenish the campus’s lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds without using chemical fertilizers. The campus is well on its way to achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2020. Earlier this year, Allegheny committed to purchasing 100% of its electricity from wind generated sources, a change that immediately eliminated over 50% of the institution’s carbon footprint. Through investments in energy audits and campus-wide energy retrofits, the campus is using Energy Star appliances and EPEAT certified computers to increase energy efficiency. In addition, all new construction on campus buildings will be LEED certified Silver, and historic buildings are in the process of becoming LEED certified. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.   5 Questions about the SunShot Prize for Minh Le   Recently, we announced the launch of the SunShot Prize—a new competition aimed at making it faster, easier, and cheaper to install rooftop solar energy systems. Participating teams must demonstrate that solar energy is an affordable solution for American families and businesses. To learn more about the competition, we caught up with Minh Le, Acting Solar Program Manager at the Energy Department. In the Q&A exchange below, Le shares important details about the impetus driving this innovative competition. Why did the Department launch the SunShot Prize? The global clean energy race is moving forward at lightning speed, and it’s time for the United States to regain its competitive edge. The SunShot Prize is meant to inspire organizations across the nation to dramatically reduce the costs of going solar. As part of the SunShot Initiative’s larger effort to make solar cost-competitive by 2020, this new program takes aim at soft costs, which are essentially what we think of as "the price to plug in." For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)