1.21.2013

Federal Scientists Detail Stronger Evidence of Global Warming in National Climate Assessment

Federal Scientists Detail Stronger Evidence of Global Warming in National Climate Assessment
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01-12-2013

EcoWatch

A map depicts temperature changes over the past 20 years, compared to the average between 1901 and 1960. “The period from 2001 to 2011 was warmer than any previous decade in every region,” according to the National Climate Assessment.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) released its draft National Climate Assessment on Jan. 11, just a week after theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed the U.S. experienced its warmest year on record.

According to the Letter to the American People provided with the report:

Climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present. This report of the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee concludes that the evidence for a changing climate has strengthened considerably since the last National Climate Assessment report, written in 2009. Many more impacts of human-caused climate change have now been observed. Corn producers in Iowa, oyster growers in Washington State, and maple syrup producers in Vermont have observed changes in their local climate that are outside of their experience. So, too, have coastal planners from Florida to Maine, water managers in the arid Southwest and parts of the Southeast, and Native Americans on tribal lands across the nation.

Americans are noticing changes all around them. Summers are longer and hotter, and periods of extreme heat last longer than any living American has ever experienced. Winters are generally shorter and warmer. Rain comes in heavier downpours, though in many regions there are longer dry spells in between.

The report fulfills the requirements of the Global Change Research Act of 1990, which says an assessment of climate disruption must be provided to the President and Congress every four years. The report is coordinated by the USGCRP, a 13-agency working group. But it is written by the National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC), an advisory committee that consists of 60 scientists and other experts.

“The draft climate assessment released today confirms what the science says and what our eyes are telling us: It’s getting hotter, and that carbon pollution is driving climate change, fueling more violent and frequent weather events and threatening public health,” said Center for American Progress Distinguished Senior Fellow Carol M. Browner, former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator and former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy.

“Climate alarms continued to blare in 2012, which was the hottest year on record in the United States. And destructivesuperstorm Sandy was one of 11 storms, floods, droughts and heat waves last year that each caused at least $1 billion in damages. The draft assessment warns us that the loss of lives and livelihoods will only get worse, and no part of the nation is safe,” said Browner.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), while the report is in draft form and will not be finalized for months, it integrates developments in climate science since the agency’s last report in 2009. The impacts of climate change—including increasingly high temperatures and rising sea levels—are more apparent and extreme impacts are becoming more likely as global emissions rise. At the same time, scientists have been able to more definitively link climate change to human activities and have found that human-induced climate change is causing some weather extremes to worsen. The draft assessment includes a number of new scenarios and maps that examine the consequences of a warming climate for various regions, including increased heat and shifting precipitation.

Scientists continue to study the effects of climate change on specific sectors, such as agriculture and water management, and are producing assessments designed to help policymakers understand their options in the context of other factors, such as economic development and differing needs for rural and urban communities.

“Climate change is already affecting us and there’s a growing demand at the local level for information about what it means for our present and our future,” said Todd Sanford, a UCS climate scientist. “The climate conversation always starts with science. Because policymakers have generally supported policies that increase emissions, successfully adapting to climate change is becoming more difficult.”

A final assessment is expected to be released in 2014. Around the same time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will release its fifth assessment report of global climate change through the United Nations.

During the 90-day public review period, local officials, scientists and citizens can make a comment on the assessment. If you have important considerations and comments on the draft assessment, you can comment via the online comment form. The USGCRP will host at least eight town halls in the coming months to gather feedback for its final report.

“The evidence is clear and mounting. The United States sits at the center of the climate crisis. Record heat is devastating crops, rivers are drying up, and storms are bearing down on our cities,” said President of World Resources Institute Dr. Andrew Steer. “Climate change is taking its toll on people and their economies, and will only become more intense without a strong and rapid response here in the United States and around the globe. It’s not too late to take action, but given lags in policy and geophysical processes, the window is closing.”

“In his second term, President Obama has a chance to ensure his legacy as a leader on climate change. Now is the time for the Administration to move forward with new standards on power plants and other actions to put America on course to a low-carbon future.”

Visit EcoWatch’s CLIMATE CHANGE page for more related news on this topic.

Federal Scientists Detail Stronger Evidence of Global Warming in National Climate Assessment

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1.20.2013

Free Solar Caculator for St Louis

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Web Link to Newly Added Solar Information to the website 1/21/2013 See USA Solar Map and St Louis Solar Radiation Table.

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Breakthrough for solar cell research

"Our findings are the first to show that it really is possible to use nanowires to manufacture solar cells"

Breakthrough for solar cell research

Public release date: 18-Jan-2013

Contact: Magnus Borgström
magnus.borgstrom@ftf.lth.se
46-462-221-494
Lund University

Breakthrough for solar cell research

In the latest issue of Science, researchers from Lund University in Sweden have shown how nanowires could pave the way for more efficient and cheaper solar cells.

"Our findings are the first to show that it really is possible to use nanowires to manufacture solar cells", says Magnus Borgström, a researcher in semiconductor physics and the principal author.

Research on solar cell nanowires is on the rise globally. Until now the unattained dream figure was ten per cent efficiency – but now Dr Borgström and his colleagues are able to report an efficiency of 13.8 per cent.

The nanowires are made of the semiconductor material indium phosphide and work like antennae that absorb sunlight and generate power. The nanowires are assembled on surfaces of one square millimetre that each house four million nanowires. A nanowire solar cell can produce an effect per active surface unit several times greater than today's silicon cells.

Nanowire solar cells have not yet made it beyond the laboratory, but the plan is that the technology could be used in large solar power plants in sunny regions such as the south-western USA, southern Spain and Africa.

The Lund researchers have now managed to identify the ideal diameter of the nanowires and how to synthesise them. "The right size is essential for the nanowires to absorb as many photons as possible. If they are just a few tenths of a nanometre too small their function is significantly impaired", explains Magnus Borgström.

The silicon solar cells that are used to supply electricity for domestic use are relatively cheap, but inefficient because they are only able to utilise a limited part of the effect of the sunlight. The reason is that one single material can only absorb part of the spectrum of the light.

Research carried out alongside that on nanowire technology therefore aims to combine different types of semiconductor material to make efficient use of a broader part of the solar spectrum. The disadvantage of this is that they become extremely expensive and can therefore only be used in niche contexts, such as on satellites and military planes.

However, this is not the case with nanowires. Because of their small dimensions, the same sort of material combinations can be created with much less effort, which offers higher efficiency at a low cost. The process is also less complicated. In the Science article, the researchers have shown that the nanowires can generate power at the same level as a thin film of the same material, even if they only cover around 10 per cent of the surface rather than 100 per cent.

The research has been carried out as part of an EU-funded project, AMON-RA, coordinated by Knut Deppert, Professor of Physics at Lund University (www.amonra.eu).

"As the coordinator of the project, I am very proud of such a great result – it has well exceeded our expectations. We will of course continue the research on nanowire solar cells and hope to achieve an even higher level of efficiency than the 13.8 per cent that we have now reported", says Knut Deppert.

###

Read the article in Science here:

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2013/01/16/science.1230969.full?sid=a29db19f-6d56-4a1d-8e8a-ccca4e6ab41e

For more information, please contact Magnus Borgström, +46 46 222 14 94, +46 734 21 60 75, magnus.borgstrom@ftf.lth.se

Magnus Borgström is the supervisor of a doctoral student, Jesper Wallentin, who is co-author of the Science article and who will be defending his thesis on Friday, 18 January (the same day as the article is published online in Science express). It may therefore be difficult to reach Dr Borgström on Friday.

You can alternatively contact Martin Magnusson, who is also involved in the project; he holds a PhD from Lund University and now works for spin off company SolVoltaics, +46 705 74 03 50.

1.19.2013

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IREC Applauds Interconnection Victory for Small Renewable Energy Systems

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Jane Pulaski

janep@irecusa.org

January 18, 2013. Proposed modifications announced yesterday by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to the agency's Small Generator Interconnection Procedures lay the groundwork for facilitating a more efficient interconnection process for small renewable generators, while maintaining safety and reliability. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), which has worked to achieve the same result on a state-by-state basis, applauds the proposed federal actions. If finalized, the changes would reflect all the modifications recommended by IREC in response to a petition from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to initiate a rulemaking.

These important changes, if finalized, will enable utilities to process applications for interconnection of small generators more efficiently and cost-effectively, while maintaining safety and electrical system reliability.

"This is a groundbreaking win for utilities and energy consumers," according to Jane Weissman, IREC executive director. "As across the U.S. we see a greater penetration of renewables on transmission and distribution circuits, FERC's actions recognize the importance renewables play in our energy future. IREC has worked tirelessly at the state level to advance just these types of improvements - removing barriers to make safe, reliable interconnection easier."

The proposed rule changes contain two significant modifications to the review process that will enable a greater number of small renewable generators to interconnect more quickly, without the need for a lengthy study process.

First, FERC proposes to modify the size limit for the current Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Fast Track, by adopting an approach pioneered by IREC and presented formally for the first time in this rulemaking proceeding. Instead of utilizing a single threshold across the entire system, IREC proposed adopting a size limit that would vary depending upon the voltage of the line at the Point of Interconnection, the thickness of the wire and the generator's distance from the substation. IREC developed this approach after hearing from utilities across the country regarding the relevant factors that determine what sized generator can safely interconnect at different points on the system, without the need for detailed study. Instead of limiting access to Fast Track to generators sized below 2 MWs, there is now potential for generators up to 5 MWs to interconnect using this expedited process.

Second, in response to the growing volume of interconnection applications and the number of circuits that are starting to see high penetrations of renewables, FERC proposes to modify the Supplemental Review process to incorporate a 100 percent of minimum load screen along with two additional technical screens that evaluate generators' impact on safety, reliability and power quality. Under the proposed rule, if a generator fails any of the initial Fast Track review screens, including the contested 15 percent of peak load screen, it can choose to be reviewed under the Supplemental Review screens rather than proceeding to full study.

IREC worked in both California and Hawaii on the development of this improved process and believes it will help maintain the efficiency of the interconnection process across the country if ultimately adopted by FERC.

Beyond these changes, the proposed rule also adopts an innovative Pre-Application Report that will enable generators to access greater information about existing system conditions prior to submitting a formal application. This process could potentially reduce the overall volume of interconnection requests and help make more efficient use of the existing distribution system. IREC assisted with the development of this process in California's Rule 21 and supports its adoption by FERC. Finally, FERC proposes allowing generators the opportunity to comment on any upgrades that are determined by the utility to be necessary for interconnection of their system.

"FERC's proposed rulemaking is an important step forward for interconnection in the United States," says Kevin Fox of Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, LLP. "These proposed changes have the potential to prevent Small Generator Interconnection Procedures from hindering solar market growth, while continuing to maintain the vitally important safety and reliability role of the interconnection process."

"IREC helped to develop these proposed changes through active engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in California, Hawaii and Massachusetts," adds Sky Stanfield, also of Keyes, Fox and Weidman, who represents IREC at FERC. "We believe the modifications reflect best practices on interconnection and will provide an important model for state procedures across the country."

FERC will host an additional workshop on the proposed rule changes and provide opportunity for written comment before finalizing the rule. IREC looks forward to participating in this process further to bring about changes at the federal level.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy since 1982. Its programs and policies lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industries. IREC is a respected resource and national leader in quality assessment, workforce development, consumer protection and stakeholder coordination. Since 2005, IREC has provided a foundation for the growing clean energy workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs and through the development of quality standards. For more information, visit http://www.irecusa.org.

Interstate Renewable Energy Council | P.O. Box 1156 | Latham | NY | 12110-1156

1.18.2013

Why Canadian Tar Sands are the Most Environmentally Destructive Project on Earth

Our report reveals the following startling facts about the tar sands and petcoke.

Petcoke in the tar sands is turning American refineries into coal factories.
- There is 24 percent more CO₂ embedded in a barrel of tar sands bitumen than in a barrel of light oil.

- 15 to 30 percent of a barrel of tar sands bitumen can end up as petcoke depending on the upgrading and refining process used.

Of 134 operating U.S. refineries in 2012, 59 are equipped to produce petcoke.

U.S. refineries produced more than 61.5 million tons of petcoke in 2011—enough to fuel 50 average U.S. coal plants each year.

In 2011, more than 60 percent of U.S petcoke production was exported.

Keystone XL will fuel five coal plants and thus emit 13 percent more CO₂ than the U.S. State Department has previously considered.

Nine of the refineries close to the southern terminus of Keystone XL have nearly 30 percent of U.S. petcoke production capacity, over 50,000 tons a day.

The petcoke produced from the Keystone XL pipeline would fuel 5 coal plants and produce 16.6 million metric tons of CO₂ each year.

These petcoke emissions have been excluded from State Department emissions estimates for the Keystone XL pipeline. Including these emissions raises the total annual emissions of the pipeline by 13 percent above the State Department’s calculations.

Cheap petcoke helps the coal industry.
- As a refinery byproduct, petcoke is “priced to move,” selling at roughly a 25 percent discount to conventional coal.

Rising petcoke production associated with tar sands and heavy oil production is helping to make coal fired power generation dirtier and cheaper—globally.

From January 2011 to September 2012, the U.S. exported more than 8.6 million tons of petcoke to China, most of which was likely burnt in coal-fired power plants.

“PetKoch”: The largest global petcoke trader in the world is Florida based Oxbow Corporation, owned by William Koch—the brother of Charles and David Koch.

Oxbow Carbon has donated $4.25 million to GOP Super PAC s, making it the one of the largest corporate donors to super PACs.

Oxbow also spent over $1.3 million on lobbyists in 2012.

As mentioned above, the impacts of petcoke on the local and global environment have not been considered by regulatory bodies in assessing the impacts of the tar sands.

Petcoke’s full impacts must be considered by the European Union in its debate on the Fuel Quality Directive, by the U.S. State Department in its consideration of the climate impacts of the Keystone XL pipeline, and by Canadian, American and European governments in tar sands policies across the board.

Increasing petcoke use is a clear result of the increasing production of tar sands bitumen. Petcoke is a seldom discussed yet highly important aspect of the full impacts of tar sands production. Factored into the equation, petcoke puts another strong nail in the coffin of any rational argument for the further exploitation of the tar sands.

Why Canadian Tar Sands are the Most Environmentally Destructive Project on Earth

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How to Power 100 Percent of the World’s Electricity by Solar

A new report released on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit today, shows that even if all electricity is to be generated through renewable energy (RE) sources, and with solar photovoltaics (PV) alone, it would take up only an insignificant amount of total land area, contrary to common perception.

How to Power 100 Percent of the World’s Electricity by Solar

01-17-2013

World Wildlife Federation

The report, Solar PV Atlas: solar power in harmony with nature, shows through seven cases—six countries and one region—less than 1 percent of the total land mass would be required to meet 100 percent of projected electricity demand in 2050, if generating electricity only with solar PV .

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) teamed up with First Solar, 3TIER and Fresh Generation to develop the report. It looks at Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey and the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The regions represent diverse geographies, demographics, natural environments, economies and political structures. They receive different but good average levels of sunshine, and all show vast potential for widespread development of solar PV, a well-established, commercially available and reliable technology today.

The report illustrates that PV technology, when well-planned, does not conflict with conservation goals and clarifies that no country or region must choose between solar PV and space for humans and nature.

“Research has found that PV power plants provide considerable environmental benefits, including a low carbon footprint and a short energy pay-back time. Replacing existing grid electricity with PV arrays significantly reduces greenhouse gas and heavy metal emissions as well water usage,” says Lettemieke Mulder, First Solar vice president for sustainability.

This new report supports WWF’s vision of 100 perecent RE by 2050. “We are actively promoting investments and measures in renewable energy technologies that help to make this happen,” according to Jean-Philippe Denruyter, WWF’s manager Global Renewable Energy Policy.

“As climate change increasingly threatens people and the natural world, it is more important than ever to work for the rapid and wide-scale adoption of well sited, responsibly operated renewable energy power facilities. Environmental protection and renewable energy can and are developing in parallel,” says Samantha Smith, leader of the WWF’s Global Climate & Energy Initiative.

Visit EcoWatch’s RENEWABLES and ENERGY pages for more related news on this topic.

How to Power 100 Percent of the World’s Electricity by Solar

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1.21.2013