Renewable Energy Installations in WI

Friday, December 21, 2007

WPPI awards energy efficiency grants

From a press release issued by Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. (WPPI):
WPPI will award more than $225,000 in grants for energy efficiency projects to industrial companies served by WPPI member utilities. The funding comes from WPPI’s ‘RFP for Energy Efficiency’ program, aimed at making electric energy saving projects a worthwhile business investment for large power customers.

“We know that energy conservation is the most practical and effective way to keep customers’ electric bills down for the long-term,” says WPPI Director of Energy Services Jake Oelke. “Wisconsin Public Power is providing these grants to help control energy costs by reducing inefficient uses of energy, without adversely affecting convenience or productivity.”

The RFP program invites commercial and industrial customers of WPPI’s municipally owned member utilities to submit competitive, cost-effective proposals for energy-saving upgrades to equipment and systems within customers’ current facilities.

Four companies will receive grants through the current round of project bidding:

Thilmany LLC, Kaukauna, Wis., was awarded $70,000 to install variable frequency drives that will improve pressure control for two water pumps. Thilmany, a leading manufacturer of specialty lightweight packaging, pressure sensitive, and technical and industrial papers, will also retrofit lighting in several areas of the mill as recommended in a lighting audit conducted by WPPI.

Goodyear Engineered Products, Sun Prairie, Wis., will receive more than $19,000 to offset the costs of optimizing its compressed air system. Goodyear Engineered Products, part of Veyance Technologies Inc., is a global leader in tire development and manufacturing.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics, River Falls, Wis. – will receive nearly $117,000 to replace an existing plastic resin drying process with a more efficient centralized system. In addition to energy cost savings achieved through decreased drying and vacuum pump load, the centralized system will result in less material handling time, less raw material waste and higher machine utilization.

The Wisconsin Cheeseman, Sun Prairie, Wis., was awarded $20,000 for the installation of a variable speed drive air compressor as recommended during a recent energy audit conducted by WPPI. The project will provide a combination of energy cost savings and maintenance cost savings for The Wisconsin Cheeseman, a mail order gift food company.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Energy bill phases out traditional light bulbs

From a story by Bob Van Enkenvoort in the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Americans are getting a push toward using compact fluorescent or other energy-saving light bulbs in lieu of the traditional incandescent light bulb.

A provision in the federal energy bill phases out the 125-year-old bulb over the next four to 12 years. In their place will be a new energy-efficient lights that cost more but quickly return their investment in energy savings.

"This is one of the most significant policies ... in terms of reducing electric demand and addressing global warming," says Lowell Ungar of the Alliance to Save Energy.

The U.S. House approved the energy bill Tuesday. It passed the U.S. Senate last week, and President Bush has said he will sign it.

Under terms of the energy bill provision, all light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy by 2012 to 2014. The phase-in begins with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and ends with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Madison facilities spring for LED lights

From an article by Pat Sims in the Wisconsin State Journal:

The word this holiday season seems to be light-emitting diode (LED). While pricey, the energy-efficient LED lights were on the shopping lists for decorating many of Madison's most well-known public buildings. . . .

Connie Beam, director of development and marketing at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, said buying the LED lights is part of its commitment to sustainable practices. "We anticipate that the lights will last up to 10 years, making this a good investment for us," Beam said.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Renewing the Countryside Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s energy independence and rural renewal

From an article in The Dunn County News:

SPRING VALLEY — Sometimes solutions to the most pressing global issues like climate change and mushrooming energy costs can be found in your own backyard. Through 39 engaging stories, Renewing the Countryside Wisconsin explores how the state is leading the nation in sustainable and organic agriculture, environmentally responsible business practices and homegrown, forward-looking answers to the challenges facing today’s rural economy and communities.

The new book release offered concrete examples and inspiration for governors who gathered in Milwaukee for the recent Energy Security and Climate Change Summit. Each governor received a book copy.

Renewing the Countryside n Wisconsin, showcases that the long-standing energy independence movement in Wisconsin stands ready to take on new challenges.

“Wisconsin’s rich agricultural heritage and identity are coupled with a strong and enduring conservation ethic and sense of stewardship for our land and natural resources,” wrote Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle in his foreword for the book. “Renewing the Countryside Wisconsin clearly shows how these vital traditions continue to shape how we live and work. ... Renewable sources of energy — including wind, ethanol and solar — and purposeful energy conservation are reshaping individual behavior and business practices.”

“While green energy refrains throughout the book, Renewing the Countryside Wisconsin exemplifies that all our actions and choices collectively relate to long-term sustainability,” said Faye Jones, executive director of Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), one of the book partners along with the Northern Center for Community and Economic Development (UW-Superior and UW-Extension). “Book topics range from farming to arts and culture to education, synergistically tying together how we can each individually make a difference in fighting climate change, from eating local, organic food to supporting local businesses.”

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Comment on global warming proposals

The Governor's Global Warming Task Force invites the public to comment on proposals drafted by the task force workgroups. The propsals are posted on the DNR’s Global Warming Task Force web site: http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/gtfgw.

Proposals cover carbon tax/cap and trade; forestry and agriculture; conservation and energy efficiency; electric generation and supply; transportation; industry.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

An event at the UW

Wednesday, December 5
Squeezing More Financial and Mechanical Power From Motors
http://www.energy.wisc.edu/squeezing-more-financial-and-mechanical-power-from-motors

Monday, December 3, 2007

What is AESP

AESP is a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, energy management and distributed renewable resources.

Going green? Easy doesn't do it.

A commentary by Michael Maniates in the Washington Post seems to ring true for many people concerned about energy issues. Here's a excerpt from his column:

The hard facts are these: If we sum up the easy, cost-effective, eco-efficiency measures we should all embrace, the best we get is a slowing of the growth of environmental damage. That's hardly enough: Avoiding the worst risks of climate change, for instance, may require reducing U.S. carbon emissions by 80 percent in the next 30 years while invoking the moral authority such reductions would confer to persuade China, India and other booming nations to embrace similar restraint. Obsessing over recycling and installing a few special light bulbs won't cut it. We need to be looking at fundamental change in our energy, transportation and agricultural systems rather than technological tweaking on the margins, and this means changes and costs that our current and would-be leaders seem afraid to discuss. Which is a pity, since Americans are at their best when they're struggling together, and sometimes with one another, toward difficult goals.