Geothermal and Wind Renewables Activities

Quarterly News Brief

As 2008 drew to a close, the outreach activities of APPA-NRECA team in the last few months resulted in making several events and resources available to its member utilities through 2009. These include webinars, workshops, awards and funding opportunities in both wind and geothermal renewables.

If you have specific areas in wind and other renewables you would like to learn more about or have feedback on our activities, please email us.

• GRC Announces 2009 Geothermal Series of Webinars & Workshops
  

  The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has announced its 2009 Geothermal Education Series of Webinars and Workshops. The series starts with the first webinar addressing the most key aspect of implementing a renewable energy project – financing. Scheduled for January 27, the webinar will cover a range of business plan options, including leveraging renewable energy credits, and conclude with case studies. Future topics include Geothermal Heat Pumps, Geothermal Power Production, Utility Geothermal Development Strategies, and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (see schedule).

  The series is hosted by the GRC and sponsored by APPA, NRECA, Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program and Western Area Power Administration. Co-sponsors include Southern Methodist University and the University of Nevada, Reno. For registration and information on other GRC events, visit www.geothermal.org. For questions, contact Guy Nelson, the GRC’s Utility Geothermal Working Group Team lead.

• UWIG to Provide a Suite of Online Tools for Analyzing Distributed Wind Projects
  

  The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) is providing a suite of tools on its website that can help utility engineers in analyzing distributed wind applications objectively. The tools were developed as a result of UWIG’s long-term work on a landmark project to study the impact of small-scale wind generation on utility distribution networks. In the works since 2003, the project has yielded several deliverables including Web-based software tools, application guides, case studies and site measurements related to utility-scale wind turbines connected to distribution primary feeders. To take the most advantage of these tools, UWIG has embarked on creating a tool suite that can be used online with no formal training at all.

  The tools are available to employees of UWIG members, as well as utilities that are members of APPA’s DEED program and NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network. To learn more about the project or to gain access to the tools, contact Sandy Smith.

• DEED Develops a New Energy Efficiency Tool for Its Industrial Customers
  

  APPA's DEED program is nearing completion of its brand new resource for guiding industrial customers on improving their energy efficiency. The tool will provide both small and large industrial facilities with practical, low-cost energy-saving measures that will cut electricity bills and improve the facilities’ bottom line. The utilities in turn will benefit from reduced peak demand, improved supply reliability and avoidance of having to add capacity. Please contact Rob Naranjo for status or more information.

• Wind & Renewable Energy Webinar Series for 2008-09 Covers a Wide Range of Interests
  

  The Wind and Renewable Webinar Series announced for 2008-09 covers a range of critical technical issues such as transmission, distributed generation and turbine maintenance, as well as addresses the legal and socio-economic aspects of wind implementation such as growth of green jobs, siting and public perception.

  The series has multiple sponsors, including NRECA, APPA, WAPA and DOE’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program. Space will be limited at some events, so reserve your place early. To register, contact Ryan Harry (BCS, Incorporated).

• Wind Interconnection Workshop Grows to Become a Regular Annual Event!
  2009 Workshop scheduled for January 21-23 in Golden, CO
  

  The success of past Wind Interconnection Workshops and the excellent positive response from its participants has helped this event to now become a regular annual feature. Held for the first year in 2006, the Interconnection Workshop has provided electric cooperatives and public power utilities with an excellent overview of the issues and opportunities for integrating wind in their power supply. The Workshop is typically run as a two-day event in January with an optional site tour on the third day. The event is conducted under the partnership of NRECA, APPA, UWIG, WAPA, DOE’s Wind Powering America and National Wind Coordinating Collaborative.

  The 2009 Wind Interconnection Workshop is being held January 21-22 in Golden, Colorado. Visit www.windworkshop.govtools.us/ to learn more about this event and maybe mark your calendars for 2010 …

• GRC Calls for Abstracts for 2009 Geothermal Energy Conference in Reno, NV

  The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is inviting abstracts for its 2009 Annual Meeting on October 4-7, 2009, at the Peppermill Resort and Casino in Reno, NV. The selection committee's goal is to create an educational and informative program that addresses topical and timely industry issues. Abstracts must be received electronically by March 3 to be considered for selection.

  For more details on abstract submission, visit www.geothermal.org/meet.html. For more information, contact Guy Nelson or Sabodh Garg.

• DOE Announces Funding Opportunity of up to $6 Million for Addressing 20% Wind Energy by 2030

  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding opportunity of up to $6 million over two years (fiscal year 2009-10) to address technical and market barriers in wind development as outlined in its 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report. Eligible topics areas are: (1) turbine research, development and testing; (2) distributed wind technologies; (3) market acceptance efforts; (4) environmental research and sitting strategies; (5) transmission analysis, planning and assessments; and (6) workforce development. Full Story

Utility News in Spotlight

• Cooperatives from different regions to take part in large-scale wind project in Iowa
  


• A Gainesville (FL) utility's plan pays customers for energy
  


• $18 billion tax break for renewables and energy efficiency boosts utility-scale wind applications
  


• U.S. Interior Department opens 190 million acres for geothermal projects