Solar Thermal Plant-California-Steam Electricity Production

California Energy Commission licenses first solar thermal plant in 20-years

September 1, 2010

Source: California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission has approved the construction of the proposed Beacon Solar Energy Project, the first solar thermal power project permitted in 20 years.

"Today's action begins the journey of increasing clean renewable energy in California," said Energy Commission Chairman Karen Douglas.
Douglas served as the presiding member of the committee that reviewed the plant's application for certification.

In a unanimous vote, the Energy Commission adopted the presiding member's proposed decision (PMPD) that recommended licensing the 250-megawatt facility in eastern Kern County.

The last solar thermal power plants that the Energy Commission approved were Luz Solar Electric Generating Systems (SEGS) IX and Luz SEGS X in February 1990.

The PMPD for the Beacon Solar Energy Project said the facility, as mitigated, will have no significant impacts on the environment and complies with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards. The PMPD was based solely on the record of facts that were established during the facility's certification proceeding.

Beacon Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, would construct, own, and operate the proposed plant. The project is a concentrated solar electric generating facility on approximately 2,012-acres in eastern Kern County on the western edge of the Mojave Desert, four miles from California City and 15 miles north of the town of Mojave.

The project will use well-established parabolic trough solar thermal technology to produce electrical power using a steam turbine generator fed from a solar steam generator. The solar steam generators receive heated heat transfer fluid from solar thermal equipment comprised of arrays of parabolic mirrors that collect energy from the sun.

The federal government and the State of California have established the need for the nation and state to increase the development and use of renewable energy in order to enhance the nation's energy independence, meet environmental goals, and create new economic growth opportunities.

Alliance seeks to double clean energy production.(Northeast CHP Initiative): An article from: Fairfield County Business Journal

renewable energy projects to create 1,400 jobs

Good Job Pennsylvania! Hopefully our Missouri Leaders will take notice of not only the Jobs Created but the savings and Green Energy Production for the States Energy Needs. Build Green Scotty

Pennsylvania to invest $20.5MM for 40 alternative, renewable energy projects to create 1,400 jobs

September 2, 2010

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced $20.5 million in state and federal investments that will create 1,400 jobs in the rapidly expanding clean energy industry.

The funding will benefit 40 diverse energy projects that will generate or save the equivalent of more than 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity over their lifetimes. That's enough energy to power 1 million average homes in Pennsylvania for one year -- and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 9 million tons, which is the equivalent of removing 1.5 million passenger cars from the roads for one year.

"A few years ago, projects like these existed only in theory. Today, they are a reality," said Governor Rendell. "They benefit Pennsylvania's consumers by generating and saving electricity, driving down utility rates, making additional projects more affordable and feasible, while stimulating the economy by creating manufacturing and employment opportunities, attracting private investments and making our environment cleaner."

The Governor noted that the state investment provided through the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, or PEDA, will also leverage more than $211 million in private funds, generating a 10-to-1 return on investment. Since 2005, PEDA has invested more than $99 million in 201 projects which have generated more than $883 million in matching funds.

He also stressed the need to increase Pennsylvania's clean energy portfolio standards, saying higher standards will translate into even more jobs and economic development for the state -- just as the first Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards law did.

"The solar industry has grown at a rapid pace despite the uncertain economy," said Governor Rendell. "Investors and developers have proven anxious and eager to invest in clean solar energy projects. Venture capitalists alone poured $1.4 billion into the industry last year. Pennsylvania could attract a larger share of that action if we just increased the solar share of our portfolio standards law."

When it was enacted in 2004, Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards act was one of the nation's most ambitious laws, but has since been surpassed by other states.

The current law's solar share requirement requires that one-half-of-one percent of the electricity Pennsylvanians purchase in 2021 come from solar power. However, Delaware has a 3.5 percent requirement by 2025; Maryland will require that 2 percent of their electricity comes from solar by 2022; New Jersey will require 4 percent solar generation by 2021; and Illinois -- the seventh-largest coal producer in the nation -- has set a 1.5 percent goal for 2025.

"Pennsylvania is on pace to become one of the top five states this year for the amount of installed solar generation capacity we have, but that's because of the standards we enacted six years ago," said the Governor, adding that less than two years ago, Pennsylvania's installed solar capacity was minimal. "Today, we have more than 39 megawatts of capacity installed, or enough to power 5,900 homes and that number increases daily.

"Unless we move now to increase our solar share -- even to a modest 1.5 percent target -- the types of projects we're announcing today won't even consider Pennsylvania. They'll look elsewhere and take their jobs with them. And the 600 solar businesses now operating in Pennsylvania may move to another state where the sun shines brighter. Not acting on this issue now will only hurt our economy in the long-run."

The projects announced by the Governor were funded through three sources. Twenty-four projects were funded with $13 million from Growing Greener II, eight projects were funded with $5 million in federal stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and eight projects in the Pittsburgh region were funded with $2.5 million through Duquesne Light Co. settlement funds.


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PPL electric utilities plans ten new electric substations for 2010-11

September 2, 2010

Source: PPL Electric Utilities

For electric service, substations are the hubs of power delivery, and PPL Electric Utilities is working on 10 new electric distribution substations in the next two years to improve reliability for thousands of customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Building 10 substations in only two years is one example of the company's increasing investment in its energy delivery infrastructure to improve reliability, strengthen aging infrastructure and better meet customer needs, said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities.

This year, PPL Electric Utilities expects to complete construction of electric substations in the Beltzville area of Towamensing, Carbon County; in Lower Macungie in Lehigh County, known as the new Schoeneck substation; and in the Valley View Business Park in Jessup, near Scranton.

These facilities were planned to meet increasing demand for electricity in those areas, accommodate local growth and improve the utility's operations.

Additionally, PPL has work under way on eight new substation facilities for service in 2011. The largest of the projects is a $9 million project in Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County, which also includes a 5.6-mile transmission feeder to supply power to the facility and two new distribution circuits to serve local customers. The new project will relieve electric load on existing facilities and ensure more reliable service for the area. This project, known as the Effort Mountain substation, is pending review by the state Public Utility Commission.

Additionally in 2011, PPL expects to build new electric substations in

-- Lansford, Carbon County.

-- South Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County.

-- Moore Township, Northampton County (known as the Blue Mountain
substation).

-- Hawley section of Palmyra Township, Wayne County.

-- Jackson Township, Monroe County (known as the Appenzell project).

-- Lower Windsor Township, York County (known as the Red Front
substation).

"We are committed to invest in our electric delivery system to ensure we meet the energy needs of our customers and ensure solid service reliability. These projects represent our investments in these communities to improve service," DeCampli said, noting more than $1.5 billion in new capital investment across the service area over the next five years. "Our engineers, system operators and field personnel work diligently to keep our system working well, but it's time to expand, upgrade and modernize in many parts of our region."

Substations are a source of power supply for a community. The facilities tap into nearby electric transmission lines and convert the power to lower voltage for local distribution. The facilities generally feature large circuit breakers, transformers and controls for power distribution. The facilities allow PPL to provide additional electric supply to a growing area and enhance reliability. The company operates about 400 electric substations currently across its service area.

Bright prospects for photovoltaics

By Pangea

Published: 03/09/2010

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Bayer MaterialScience has developed a variety of materials and solutions for photovoltaics. It includes polyurethane sheathing for solar modules with an integrated assembly system, the encapsulation of solar cells with films and a polyurethane electrical

Bayer MaterialScience develops customer-specific solutions with higher energy efficiency and lower manufacturing costs.

Leverkusen, September 2010

Bayer MaterialScience is committed to developing sustainable technologies and materials, particularly when it comes to utilizing energy from renewable sources such as the sun and wind. With photovoltaics (PV), for example, the focus is on customer-specific solutions featuring higher energy efficiency, lower manufacturing costs and a broader range of applications. "The current development portfolio offers a variety of innovations, including polyurethane sheathing for solar modules with an integrated assembly system, a sandwich composite of polycarbonate sheets with solar cells, and flexible solar modules with higher efficiency," says Dr. Frithjof Hannig, who is responsible for the coordination of photovoltaics activities at Bayer MaterialScience.

Innovations and visions with thermoplastic films
At present, crystalline solar cells are leading the way worldwide in terms of solar technology. These are encapsulated by Platilon® hot-melt adhesive films made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which have proved to be superior to other materials used for the same purpose. This is particularly true of their flexibility in bonding with relatively hard materials such as polycarbonate and glass. The TPU film facilitates continuous, vacuum-free processing without cross-linking and, therefore, also without emissions. "This is a clear advantage in terms of productivity in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules. What's more, the film can be recycled and enables complete solar modules to be repaired," adds Hannig.

When it comes to novel thin-layer solar cells, Makrofol® polycarbonate encapsulation films can make it possible to produce flexible photovoltaic modules. A current target is to produce flexible, lightweight modules using reel-to-reel processing. At present, Bayer MaterialScience is working with partners to improve the product's barrier properties against oxygen and water, in order to protect the active layer. This solution could lead to a replacement of glass which was used so far for this application.

But the developments don't stop there. In the area of portable electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones in particular, the call for a power supply without a power pack and socket is growing all the time. Flexible organic solar cells made of plastic film could prove a viable economic solution in this area, provided that the utilization level and service life of solar cells could be increased in line with requirements. For the photovoltaic layer – the crucial part of the thin sandwich composite – the company is using inorganic quantum dots (Q-dots). In this way, PV cells could be applied to films in a simple printing process, resulting in a cost-effective solution for mobile electronic devices.

Soccer stadium as a power plant
Sheets made of the transparent polycarbonate Makrolon® also make it possible to integrate solar modules in roof constructions. One example is the sandwich composite developed by Sunovation GmbH in cooperation with Bayer Sheet Europe GmbH, which comprises floating silicon cells embedded between a Makrolon® solid sheet on the one side and a Makrolon® triple-wall sheet on the other. The composite is shatterproof, flexible and boasts a long service life thanks especially to the load-bearing properties of the multi-wall sheet. As a result, it provides optimum protection for the sensitive silicon cells and meets the fire safety regulations of the construction industry.

One impressive application of Sunovation's photovoltaic solution is installed in the Weserstadion in Bremen, which currently boasts the biggest photovoltaic system of any sports stadium in Germany. One part of this construction is the roof's inner ring, which is seven meters deep and fitted with special modules from Sunovation over an area of 3,000 square meters. Instead of being attached to the roof, these modules actually form part of the stadium's construction. This solution was also preferred due to the existing construction's static load limit. Glass was not a viable option in this case due to the weight. In fact, polycarbonate cuts the weight of the structure by around 60 percent, which in this case is equivalent to some 60 metric tons. The judging panel of the European Polycarbonate Sheet Extruders (EPSE) organization was so impressed by the solution that it awarded it first place in the "Best Innovation" category.

Cost-effective assembly thanks to polyurethane sheathing
The SOLON® Black 160/05 in-roof module from SOLON SE has also won several awards. It is equipped with an intelligent system frame with an integrated assembly system based on the Bayflex® polyurethane system from BaySystems. The solar module is fitted in the roof without the need for conventional installation systems. Thanks to fastening elements integrated into the plastic, the module can be screwed directly onto the roof battens. What's more, the system's overlapping polyurethane frame ensures that rainwater runs off easily and does not penetrate the roof. "In other words, this module is one of only a few genuine in-roof solutions in which the surface acts as a water-bearing layer, which means that costly substructures are no longer necessary. As a result, this innovative product delivers a low-cost, all-in-one solution", explains Dr. Hannig. In addition to the simplified substructure, the polyurethane coating of solar modules also opens up a whole range of design opportunities.

A polyurethane electrical encapsulation system based on Baydur® E is recommended for insulating the sockets of solar modules. It fills even narrow gaps and cavities very quickly and offers reliable protection against external influences. To this end, the polyurethane systems house BaySystems, Denmark, and Isotherm AG, Switzerland, have developed a cost-effective process based on reaction injection molding (RIM) technology, which makes it possible to enclose electrical parts in a single step. This electrical encapsulation system has been tailor-made for this application and exhibits flame retardance in line with the requirements of UL 94 V-O.

Multilingual and cosmopolitan
In future, photovoltaic applications could extend far beyond traditional solar modules. One such visionary application is a "translator shirt" for traveling salesmen and other people who travel a lot. During a conversation, voice recognition software would be used to display the translated words on the shirt. "The surfaces of certain textiles can be equipped with photovoltaic elements, while other areas exhibit the properties of batteries. This would provide the power supply for the shirt," explains Eckard Foltin from the Creative Center at Bayer MaterialScience. Then, all the user would have to do is start the program and enter the target language via a label with integrated microphone and translation unit. "This application could help overcome language barriers," says Foltin.

This news release is available for download at the news server of Bayer MaterialScience at www.press.bayerbms.com.
The company plans to exhibit these developments at K 2010 in Düsseldorf from October 27 to November 3, 2010.
More information about Bayer MaterialScience and its appearance at the fair at Stand A 75 in Hall 6 can be found at www.k2010.bayermaterialscience.com.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2009 sales of EUR 7.5 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world's largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and sports and leisure industries. Bayer MaterialScience has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 14,300 people at the end of 2009. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.


Find more information at www.bayermaterialscience.com and www.climate.bayer.com.

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2009 National Environmental Scorecard

Researching global warming basics

Where to start:

• Frequently asked questions are answered by the Natural Resources Defense Council here.
• The warming of the Arctic region, and its consequences, are explained here.
• To understand global warming, it is critical to understand its effect on the Earth's oceans.
• The climate change entry in Wikipedia ties together many types of information, with links to further exploration.
• Some people say "global warming" and others use "climate change" to describe what's happening to our environment. Which is right?

More about: Researching global warming basics

Awareness of global warming has exploded in recent years, as has the volume of research and information out there for us to understand. Read the current analysis to help understand the issue.

Global warming — fact or myth?
You've heard about "Snowmageddon" and Climate-Gate, but that doesn't mean the temperature isn't rising.



Is it global warming or climate change?
Some people say "global warming" and others use "climate change" to describe what's happening to our environment. Which is right?



Wired's call to environmentalists
How well does the tech mag's list of enivro do's and don'ts stand up to reality?



Staggering video of our nation exhaling CO2
Scientists illuminate the atmospheric emissions of our daily lives.



Could it happen again?
It's not just folks with beach views who have to worry about another disaster of Hurricane Katrina proportions, thanks to climate change.



Climate challenge: the video game
Climate Challenge, a game of global leadership in an environmentally hazardous age.

http://lcv.org/reportcard
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