Find business opportunities in the wind industry, March 31, Appleton

Businesses with possible products or services for the wind industry could find new opportunities by attending the Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Seminar, March 31, 2009, Appleton, WI, produced by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA):

The wind energy industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, which is bringing major supply chain challenges to the industry while it aggressively “ramps up” domestic manufacturing of wind turbines and their components. As a result, there is significant opportunity for state and local governments, manufacturers and component suppliers across all industries to help feed the supply chain and grow their business.

This state-level seminar will focus on supply chain challenges and opportunities in the state of Wisconsin for companies looking to get involved in the supply of components and services to the wind energy industry. This state-level event is designed to focus on specific aspects for Wisconsin-based companies and to enable their entrance into the wind industry.

AWEA is presenting this workshop with the support of The New North, RENEW Wisconsin, We Energies, State of Wisconsin-Office of Energy Independence, Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

More details here.

WPL customers to get one-time $18 million credit

From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission:

MADISON – Made possible by a steep drop in fuel costs, today the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved an $18 million refund for electric customers of Wisconsin Power and Light (WP&L).

“Lower than projected fuel costs are the main drivers behind the commission approving this refund today,” said Chairperson Eric Callisto. “The protections we have in place make sure that customers see refunds when fuel prices drop. It is important that the PSC continue to work diligently to make sure that when fuel costs do dip, the ratepayers can see the benefit as quickly as possible.”

The PSC performs monthly fuel cost audits and monitors how much the utility is collecting from customers. The PSC determined that because of lower fuel costs, WP&L customers were due a $18 million refund. In the next couple months, the average WP&L customer can expect to see a onetime refund of approximately $14.00 on an upcoming electric bill.

Report shows Wisconsin electric providers meeting or exceeding renewable energy standards

From a news release issued by the Public Service Commssion:

MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) today [Jan. 22] announced that all 118 Wisconsin electric providers have met their renewable portfolio standards for 2007, 111 providers have exceeded the requirements for the year, and most are well on their way to meeting their increased obligations.

One key provision in 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 was an increase in the renewable portfolio standard, requiring Wisconsin retail electric providers to produce 10% of their electricity from renewable resources by the year 2015. For the years leading to 2015, Wisconsin utilities are required to report their progress in meeting the renewable milestones to the PSC. In 2007, Wisconsin utilities generated 114% of the 2007 requirement and as a result have excess renewable energy credits to use in the future.

“Although there are many challenges ahead, this report shows that Wisconsin is staying on a steady course to reaching Governor Doyle’s renewable energy goals,” said Chairperson Eric Callisto. “I commend the state’s electric utilities for their commitment to meeting Act 141 requirements, especially the nine utilities who have already met 2010 standards. I encourage utilities to continue their efforts and look forward to reviewing more proposed renewable projects in the future.”

“This report is good news for Wisconsin as it shows the significant progress Wisconsin utilities have made in increasing the use of renewable energy resources,” said Commissioner Mark Meyer. “Wisconsin continues to be a leader, and adopting M-RETS, a renewable energy generation tracking system, which helps electric providers keep track of their renewable energy credits in complying with Act 141, has proven itself to be a very effective tool.”

Currently, Wisconsin utilities generate about four percent of the state’s electricity from renewable resources – just under half of the requirements for the year 2015. In the past year, the PSC has approved several projects which will significantly increase renewable generation in the state, leading Wisconsin down the path of energy independence.

State stumbles toward 2025 energy goal

From an article by Paul Snyder in The Daily Reporter:

Wisconsin still has 16 years to meet its 2025 alternative energy development goals, yet business and utility groups say the state had better pick up the pace.

Charlie Higley, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, said the state is producing less than 5 percent of its energy from renewable resources.

“Wisconsin is still losing out big to places like Iowa when it comes to wind power manufacturers,” he said. “And I think there’s still focusing to do when it comes to (establishing a direction for) energy independence.”

The state charted its course toward independence last year when it adopted the Clean Energy Wisconsin report, which set 2025 as the year by which the state derives 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Yet local and state governments remain at an impasse over control of wind farm placement, and, after a fast start, ethanol and biomass plant development slowed to a crawl in the last year.

“Yes, we’re behind, and yes, it’s disappointing,” said state Rep. Phil Garthwaite, the Dickeyville Democrat who serves on the Assembly Committee on Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs. “You’d like to be further along, and 16 years seems short. But I think there’s still a lot of work we can do. It’s just going to be a longer process due to economics and public psychology.”

WPL (Alliant) may raise rates

From an article by Judy Newman in the Wisconsin State Journal:

If you're a Wisconsin Power & Light customer, you may soon pay more for electricity.

WPL is expected to file an emergency request with state regulators for permission to raise rates. Just last month, the Madison utility company agreed to hold electric rates steady for 2009 and reduce natural-gas rates by $4 million.

The reason: the recession.

WPL is losing millions of dollars in revenues that had been pouring in when business was booming and factories were busy. Now, the General Motors plant in Janesville is down to a few dozen workers and the Domtar paper mill at Port Edwards is closed. Both were among WPL's top 10 power users.

Throughout southern Wisconsin, untold numbers of businesses are paring production and staff. That means less electricity is being used and WPL is collecting less money.

"We are sharing the pain being felt across our service territory," Bill Harvey, chairman and chief executive of WPL's parent company, Alliant Energy, told a conference call with analysts in December.

WPL won't say how much electricity GM and Domtar had been using but said that together, the price they paid for power amounted to 1 percent of the utility's revenues.

Harvey projected WPL's sales this year will be 6.4 percent, or $30 million, lower than those anticipated in the recent rate settlement, which was based on 2007 figures. "Because of this significant downward shift in forecasts, we will likely file an emergency rate case," he told analysts. . . .

Madison Gas & Electric and Milwaukee-based We Energies said they have no plans to seek a rate boost based on recession-impaired revenues. But both of those utilities have discussed the possibility of seeking increases to help meet pension costs.

$6M in grants available to reach 20% wind energy goal

The DOE this week said it is making up to $6 million available over the next two fiscal years for projects that address the technical challenges of wind development and market acceptance barriers that were outlined in a report, "20 Percent Wind Energy by 2030," that was released last year. The funding will be available for projects in six different topic areas that include turbine research, development and testing, distributed wind technologies, market acceptance efforts, environmental research and sitting strategies, transmission analysis, planning and assessments as well as workforce development. The May 2008 report says the U.S. possesses affordable wind energy resources far in excess of those needed to enable a 20-percent scenario. However, DOE also identified major challenges that need to be overcome and require action to meet the 20 percent by 2030 goal:

+ Major investments in transmission so that power generated in Midwest locations can be delivered urban centers at great distance

+ Larger electric load balancing areas, in tandem with better regional planning and use of complementary generation and storage, so that grid operators can better integrate wind generation into the electric utility grid

+ Continued reduction in wind turbine capital costs through technology advancement and improved manufacturing capabilities

+ Improved wind turbine performance and reduction of operating and maintenance costs through improved reliability

+ Addressing concerns about local siting, wildlife, and environmental issues within the context of electricity generation

+ Develop an abundant and skilled workforce to supply the growing renewable energy industry.

The full report can be read and downloaded at http://www.20percentwind.org.

Full grant details here.

Completed funding applications are due by March 3. DOE anticipates notifying applicants selected for award by the end of April 2009 and making awards by the end of September 2009

PSC opens invetigation of potential utility development of solar generation

From an announcement issued by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:

This is an investigation to assess the potential for the development of utility investments in solar energy resources to cost-effectively contribute to Wisconsin's electric supply. The Sierra Club submitted testimony discussing solar energy resources in Commission dockets 6680-UR-116 and 6690-UR-119, the Wisconsin Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation rate cases recently before the Commission. At its open meeting on December 18,2008, under the authority of Wis. Stat. 5 196.02, the Commission directed Commission staff to prepare a notice to open a docket to investigate utility investments in solar energy resources.

The Commission intends to work with stakeholders to:
(1) identify and assess the current financial and business models available for utility investment in solar energy resources;
(2) identify and assess the costs of utility investments in solar energy resources;
(3) identify and assess the benefits of utility investments in solar energy resources, including benefits to:
(a) peak and intermediate load operations,
(b) the utility as a business,
(c) policy objectives, including meeting the state's renewable portfolio standards and reducing greenhouse gases in preparation for proposed federal legislation, and
(d) utility risk management;
(4) identify and assess technical, market and policy issues that may affect the potential for utility investment in solar energy resources; and (5) establish short-term and long-term recommendations regarding
program design and implementation of utility investments in solar energy resources. Other issues may also be identified and investigated.