Focus on Energy wins national award for renewable energy program

From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:

WASHINGTON D.C. (Jan. 14, 2009) - Focus on Energy has been recognized as a national leader in the promotion and practice of renewable energy by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). On Jan. 13, 2009, the CESA presented Focus on Energy, and four other states, with the "2009 State Leadership in Clean Energy Award" during a press conference in Washington, D.C. The award was established to recognize state programs that are most effectively accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies and advancing clean energy markets.

"National recognition for what Focus on Energy is doing in Wisconsin to develop clean energy projects which help the state's economy and its environment is rewarding," said Don Wichert, program director for Focus on Energy's Renewable Energy Program.

Focus on Energy's Biogas Digestion Program was specifically recognized. Because of the information, education, technical assistance and financing this program provides, Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of farm-based anaerobic biogas digesters. Biogas digester systems enable farmers to produce electricity, heat and pipeline-quality gas and distribute energy for a reasonable return on investment while controlling dairy manure odors, pathogens and flies.

National Energy Services Conference & Expo, San Diego, Jan. 26-29

From the conference highlights from the AESP:

AESP's National Energy Services Conference & Expo (NESC) is the premier energy industry conference that unites renowned energy experts, stimulating educational sessions, and valuable networking opportunities into one convenient location. You will discover new ideas for your marketing and energy efficiency programs; learn about emerging market trends and technologies; and meet with colleagues to share experiences.

NEW FEATURES
+ Transformational keynote speaker
+ Over 70 relevant presentations (many not found anywhere else)
+ Thought-provoking panel discussions
+ Networking events
+ Practical pre-conference workshops
+ Innovative products and services featured in sold-out expo hall

YOU SHOULD ATTEND
Content-rich sessions are designed for all experience levels, including:
+ IOU, Municipal and Cooperative Utility Professionals (including those involved in energy efficiency; demand response; demand-side management; demand response; distributed resources; market research and evaluation; pricing; program planning and implementation, marketing and communications; technology; public/environmental benefits; renewable energy, energy policy, etc.)
+ Energy Marketers
+ Government Policy Makers and Regulators
+ Public Benefits Organizations
+ Industry Advisors including Consultants, Marketing Communications Firms, Market Researchers, Technology Firms and others.

We Energies wants okay to study wind in Lake Michigan

From an article by Pete Millard in The Business Journal:

Wisconsin Electric Power Co. [d/b/a We Energies], the state’s largest public energy utility, is seeking Public Service Commission approval to spend $3 million to study the feasibility of harnessing the Great Lakes’ wind power.

With more than a half-dozen wind farms sprouting up in corn and soybean fields from Montfort in southwest Wisconsin to Portage, Eden and Kewaunee on the banks of Lake Michigan in northeast Wisconsin, the real potential for wind power exists on the Great Lakes. That’s according to a November 2008 PSC report.

While no one doubts the potential for wind power on the Great Lakes, there are environmental, construction, transmission and maintenance issues that need examination before wind turbines and towers begin rising in the depths of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

“What we’re proposing is taking the next step forward from the PSC report,” said Roman Draba, WEPCO’s vice president of regulatory affairs and policy.

The PSC’s own Great Lakes wind power study summarizes the various state, federal and tribal statutes, rules and regulations that may have to be changed before any proposal to build an off-shore wind project can move ahead, but these are not insurmountable obstacles, said Carl Siegrist, WEPCO’s senior renewable energy strategist.

Less known is whether the technology exists to economically transmit the wind power from off-shore turbines to on-shore transmission lines. Also unknown is the cost to build and maintain the turbines and towers, especially in winter, Siegrist said.

“A big part of the study will also monitor exactly what the wind patterns are and how productive they may be,” said Draba.

The WEPCO Lake Michigan study also will look at the potential environmental impact the towers and turbines would have on bats and migratory birds.

Will Minnesota ban out-of-state coal-generated electricity?

From a story by Bob Geiger on Finance and Commerce:

The Minnesota Legislature’s passage of clean energy legislation in 2007 could create difficulties for Maple Grove-based Great River Energy, which fires up its third North Dakota coal-fired power plant in 2010.

At issue is whether power generated by the 99-megawatt Spiritwood Station can legally be used by Minnesota customers of Great River Energy (GRE).

Minnesota’s Next Generation Energy Act prohibits increased emissions from large power plants that generate greenhouse gases.

Language in the bill states that after Aug. 1, 2009, no person shall “import or commit to import from outside the state from a new large energy facility that would contribute to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions.”

The language reflects a move by national and state governments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, to help combat global warming.

GRE, which sells power to 28 electricity cooperatives in Minnesota, says the measure doesn’t apply in this case, because energy generated from Spiritwood will be sold to the Midwest Independent Operator System, or MISO, not directly to Minnesota power co-ops.

Are we nearing peak coal? Part 1

From a post on Climate Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization:

The imminent reality of peak oil production should be clear to all by now (see “Normally staid IEA says oil will peak in 2020“).

Now some very serious people are suggesting that there is a lot less accessible coal out there than most folks believe. If we are nearing peak coal (and peak oil), then we would need to embrace the rapid transition to a clean energy economy almost as urgently as we need to embrace it to avoid destroying the climate.

The post continues with an analysis of various reports on coal reserves.

WPS will uncouple profits, energy sales

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

In a move expected to be followed by at least one other state utility, Wisconsin Public Service Corp. of Green Bay will no longer see profits dip when sales of electricity slide.

That may seem like a profit plan many businesses wish they could use during slowing economic times, but it's all part of a growing movement around the country to help customers save on rising home energy costs.

The northeastern Wisconsin utility won state approval this week for a plan that would break the link between profits and electricity sales. It also would boost spending to encourage customers to reduce their use of energy.

"It should be a very good thing for the environment and for energy conservation because it allows us to take our focus off the bottom line and put it into education and helping our customers use less energy," utility spokesman Kerry Spees said. . . .

WPS will develop pilot projects in several communities designed to boost energy efficiency. The exact nature of the community-based pilots won't be developed for several months, Spees said.

Those pilots could serve as models for other initiatives around the state, said Charlie Higley, executive director of the Wisconsin Citizens' Utility Board.

"These community pilots will test other ways of marketing energy efficiency so more consumers can participate and enjoy the savings, and then those can be replicated with other utilities," Higley said.

The Citizens' Utility Board has been in contact with other state utilities, including We Energies of Milwaukee, to explore similar moves. To date, only Madison-based Wisconsin Power & Light Co. has expressed interest.

Japanese company buys 50% share in Wisconsin generation plant from GE

From an article by Shigeru Sato on Bloomberg.com:

Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Itochu Corp., a Japanese trading company, said its North American unit bought a 50 percent stake in a natural gas-fired power producer in Wisconsin from GE Energy Financial Services.

Itochu's subsidiary Tyr Energy Inc. acquired the stake in Fox Energy Company LLC. for an undisclosed amount, the company said in a statement on its Web site today. The power plant, located in Kaukauna city, is capable of generating 593 megawatts of electricity.

The deal is the sixth power-plant acquisition for Tyr Energy, taking the company's total generating capacity in the U.S. to 661 megawatts, according to the statement. Fox Energy has a contract to sell as much as 500 megawatts of electricity to Wisconsin Public Service Corp., a regional utility, it said.