by jboullion | Sep 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune:
Summer’s done? Already?
Despite its late date, Labor Day weekend kind of snuck up on the Wisconsin Rapids area this year. One reason: Cooler weather often made the warmest of seasons tough to recognize.
Still, with one last long holiday weekend and the unofficial end of summer to enjoy, it’s hard to complain — especially with the kickoff of local high school sports and the start of the college and professional football season.
Here are few more reasons to be thankful while relaxing, or contemplating all the yard work that needs to be done.
Seen what Mid-State Technical College has been doing lately? The school based in Grand Rapids is working to expand its five renewable energy programs.
This will be an important field in the coming years, as government and businesses work to “go green” for economic and environmental reasons.
Employers will need qualified workers in these burgeoning sectors, and it’s encouraging to see a local institution like Mid-State leading the way.
The college has been working with Energy Composites Corp. on a training program for future employees of the company, which plans to add at least 400 jobs to Wisconsin Rapids with a wind energy component plant.
In addition to Mid-State’s renewable thermal energy, renewable electricity and bio-refinery technology programs that began a year ago, the school’s renewable energy specialist and energy conservation specialist programs started up this week.
U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau, was in town Monday to check up on the programs for which he helped secure $428,000 in President Barack Obama’s 2009-10 budget.
The future looks bright if Wisconsin Rapids can build upon the solid base educational institutions like Mid-State and companies like Energy Composites are building. . . .
by jboullion | Sep 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by KJ Lang in the La Crosse Tribune:
Technical colleges in Wisconsin and nationwide are adapting to train workers for “green jobs” as the commitment to a sustainable future ramps up in the U.S.
Students are learning how to install solar panels and wind turbines, produce biofuels and do other work in renewable energy fields.
“We are really an important link to making sure the workforce matches this developing area and our country’s transformation to alternative energy,” said Dan Clancy, president and state director of the Wisconsin Technical College System.
While some schools within the Wisconsin Technical College System have developed new programs to respond to the trend, most simply folded renewable energy and sustainability concepts into existing classes, said Clancy.
The colleges also have been careful to tailor green programs to communities in which an economic opportunity already exists.
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wis., started a wind energy technology program and built a small commercial wind turbine to take advantage of its prime wind energy location along Lake Michigan.
Western Technical College has no new renewable energy or sustainability programs, but several programs are growing greener, said Bill Brendel, dean of agriculture apprenticeship and technology at Western.
Student electricians now learn about solar energy, while the heating and air conditioning programs include information about geothermal energy. Automotive students can get lessons on biofuel or hybrid electric vehicles.
Western also is considering creating a certificate in renewable energy in conjunction with Madison Area Technical College, said Brendel.
Brendel compares the current shift to renewable energy and green alternatives to the 1970s growth in computer-related jobs.
by jboullion | Sep 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article on Electric Light and Power:
Waukesha, WI – Marshfield and Plymouth Utilities, both headquartered in Wisconsin, are the first utilities in the state to own and add a Plug-In Hybrid Utility truck to their fleets. The units are available exclusively from two Wisconsin manufacturers Odyne Systems and DUECO, Inc.
Officials from Marshfield Utilities welcomed Wisconsin’s first Plug-In Hybrid Electric bucket truck delivered in May of this year. The Odyne Plug-in Hybrid Electric propulsion system minimizes fuel use (while driving) and emissions found in a typical bucket truck. When at a job site, batteries power all boom hydraulic functions and the climate control system for a full workday, without the use of the diesel engine. This means reduced noise from engine idle and elimination of any emissions while in electric mode.
Plymouth Utilities is the first utility nationwide to own a 4×4 Plug-in Hybrid Digger Derrick, a common piece of equipment used to dig holes and set electric poles by utility companies throughout the nation. This unit is a Terex C4047 with a full hydraulic control station at the pedestal. A foot throttle actuates the PHEV system, allowing the batteries system to turn on. The unit is equipped with a force option, only turning on the engine on if you need to dig in rough conditions.
Both the Marshfield and Plymouth Plug-in trucks are able to recharge their battery system at night by using off-peak energy from the electricity their own utility produces.
Design, manufacture and assembly for both the Marshfield and Plymouth trucks was done in Waukesha, WI, “We are excited our local utilities have chosen Odyne and DUECO to manufacture the first two Hybrid Plug-in work trucks in the state.” states Judie Taylor, president of DUECO. “It shows Wisconsin’s strong environmental commitment to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.”
by jboullion | Sep 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Tim O’Brien Homes:
Tim O’Brien Homes teams up with We Energies to build twelve solar homes as part of regional study on energy conservation.
Waukesha, WI (September 11, 2009) – Tim O’Brien Homes, a certified Green Built™ and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® home builder, announces a partnership with We Energies to build twelve solar electric homes across southeastern Wisconsin by spring 2010. This endeavor is part of a multi-year study that We Energies is conducting to evaluate homeowners’ lifestyle habits in response to utilizing solar energy.
Along with analyzing trends in energy usage and demonstrating the impact of using solar energy, the study will also provide insight on how solar may influence market value and overall electric demand. This is the first time that a solar electricity study of this magnitude has ever been done in the Midwest.
“Our relationship with We Energies provides us the opportunity to outfit more homes with solar electric power,” says Tim O’Brien, president of Tim O’Brien Homes. “We are thrilled to be part of this cutting-edge initiative that’s opening the door to solar electric energy as a practical and reliable power option to home builders and owners. Given our green building philosophy, it’s a natural progression for Tim O’Brien Homes to move toward solar installations. As we see more opportunities for renewable energy applications, we’re discovering they offer a significant long- term return on investment.”
The study is being conducted by the We Energies Renewable Energy Development (RED) Program and will examine the solar energy production of the twelve homes along with homeowners’ consumption. “We are pleased to partner with a home builder that has a solid understanding of solar energy, its applications and potential benefits,” says Jessica Thibodo-Johnson, renewable energy specialist for We Energies. “Our partnership focuses on demonstrating the practical and beneficial use of solar energy for Midwest homes. This unique project will also provide greater insight into possible effects solar installations have on housing market values,” adds Thibodo-Johnson.
Solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) power is a form of renewable energy that uses the sun’s energy to create electricity. These systems are made up of panels or modules containing PV cells that generate direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to sunlight. An inverter then converts the DC power to the alternating current (AC) electricity utilized to power the home.
The solar homes will be studied side by side with twelve equivalent size control homes. Having similar orientation to the sun, the control homes are located in the same neighborhoods as the solar homes. Four of the twelve solar homes are currently under construction or nearing completion, with solar panels being installed by Renewable Energy Solutions. The homes, ranging in size from 2,000 to 2,400 square feet, are being built in neighborhoods such as Jackson’s Sherman Parc, Milwaukee’s Oak Hill, Waukesha’s Rolling Ridge South, and Kenosha’s Leona’s Rolling Meadows. “Most of the solar homes will be for sale at a price point just under $300,000. This provides an opportunity to introduce solar energy to interested consumers that previously would not have been able to afford it,” adds O’Brien.
by jboullion | Sep 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the testimony of Michael Vickerman in support of the installation of a biomass gasification system that would produce biomass-derived synthetic gas (“syngas”) for serving Northern States Power’s Bay Front Unit #5.
We note the following public policy objectives that would be advanced if the proposal submitted by Northern States Power Corporation (“NSPW”) were approved. These objectives include:
1) Meeting Wisconsin’s current Renewable Energy Standard;
2) Eliminating a source of coal-fired power from its system;
3) Using a locally available renewable energy resource;
4) Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and other gaseous pollutants;
5) Maintaining a strong generation source in northern Wisconsin; and
6) Investing Wisconsin capital in a renewable energy generating facility power plant within its borders.
by jboullion | Sep 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Mike Moore in the Stevens Point Journal:
RAYMOND — Car executives looking for the next electric car might just want to slip out of the board room and stop by Tom Leitschuh’s garage.
This year, Leitschuh converted his 1981 Chevrolet El Camino to run completely on electric power. And because the juice is created by the windmill and solar panels at his home on Highway K, he’s not paying for it.
“I get to drive for free,” he said. “I have energy independence even on the road now.”
Compared to the El Camino, the Toyota Prius sitting in his driveway with the “renewable energy is sexy” bumper sticker is a gas hog. Where El Camino’s engine once sat, 26 batteries now fill the space. Twenty more sit by a rear axle.
It’s a load, but removing the radiator, gas tank, muffler and other unnecessary baggage helped offset the weight. Leitschuh also skipped the regular car batteries and splurged on lighter lithium ferrite batteries.
“They’re the safest batteries in the world, and they’ll work down to zero degrees,” he said.
A charge could take him 200 miles if he manages his driving carefully, Leitschuh said, but typically the car has a range of about half that.
The project took about six weeks. Including the car, which he bought used on eBay, the project cost him about $30,000. He could have done a scaled-back conversion for $10,000, which he said should be feasible for some car owners. Not to mention big car companies, which are still developing plug-in models they plan to introduce over the next few years.
“I’m wondering, ‘Why aren’t they doing this?'” Leitschuh said. “If a guy in a garage in Racine can do this with a little bit of help … .”
