by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Meredith Thorn in the Stevens Point Journal:
It looks like a large black box clinging to the side of the new airport hangar, but it is really a one-of-a-kind energy savings tool for the Stevens Point Municipal Airport.
The wall collects the sun’s heat and fills with warmth. The warmed air then is pulled into the hangar, said Joe Wheeler, the airport manager.
Because it’s so new, the actual energy savings have yet to be calculated. But, Wheeler said, in two months, savings have been “pretty significant.”
“Utilities on the hangar (are) going to be very cheap,” Wheeler said.
The hangar will be a “community” hangar, meaning pilots can rent an unspecified hangar space in the building, and airport employees will take care of the rest, Wheeler said. Rental rates have yet to be determined for the hangar, which can fit eight single-engine planes.
Wheeler didn’t say how much the project cost, but said the wall was completed by Sunny Solutions, a Berlin, Wis.-based company.
It’s the first solar transpired wall in Wisconsin, said Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson.
“We want to be a leader in sustainability issues,” he said, and the project was a way for the city to put “its money where its mouth is” on energy-saving and environmentally friendly projects.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a post on Tom Content’s blog on JSOnline:
A bill to create uniform siting standards for wind power projects across Wisconsin is being introduced again after stalling a year ago.
Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee, is circulating a bill that would call on the state Public Service Commission to develop uniform siting standards for wind power projects across the state.
Wisconsin state law requires large wind power proposals to be reviewed and approved by the state Public Service Commission, but leaves smaller projects in the hands of local governments.
Several counties and communities around the state have enacted ordinances that amount to bans on wind power, however. His bill would call on the state Public Service Commission to engage with counties, towns, utilities and others on developing a comprehensive set of standards that wind projects would have to follow.
“We made it a priority in this state to harness wind, and if we’re going to do that we can’t have one township or one village dictating energy policy for the rest of the state,” Plale said. “We have to have a comprehensive look at it. That’s what we’re getting at.”
Plale said the bill is expected to fare better this year because it is being handled earlier in the legislative session and there is less confusion about what the bill would do.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Joe Knight in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
A national expert on sustainability who has met with Eau Claire city officials, UW-Eau Claire staff and Luther Midelfort staff says Eau Claire is taking the first steps toward being more efficient and environmentally friendly.
“I think there’s a real interest and excitement in Eau Claire … the hospital has been doing some great things, and the city and university,” Gips said.
Gips, president of Minnesota-based Sustainability Associates, will speak Monday at UW-Eau Claire to kick off a series of events the university and community groups are planning to commemorate Earth Day (April 22), which they have expanded to Earth Month.
“I’m going to share about this very exciting movement going on around the country, actually around the world, but especially in Wisconsin,” he said.
Wisconsin has more cities designated as “eco-municipalities”, which have agreed to use sustainable principals, he said. Washburn and Ashland were the first two. Madison, La Crosse, Menomonie, Dunn County and the city of Eau Claire are among more than 20 communities in the state that are either “eco-municipalities” already or are taking steps in that direction.
Gips advocates what he calls the “natural-step framework” for making companies, cities – even churches – more efficient and sustainable. The framework was developed in Sweden. IKEA was the first business to use it, but now many U.S. companies have adopted it, he said. The U.S. Army and Navy are also using the “natural-step framework.”
Over the past year, various Eau Claire city departments have been assessing sustainability, said city manager Mike Huggins.
“Specifically, they’re looking at energy, reducing waste streams and looking at the concept of sustainability through the ‘natural step’ process,” Huggins said.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release on Yahoo! Finance:
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Energy Composites Corporation (OTCBB:ENCC – News) announced the launch of its comprehensive WindFiber™ composites-in-wind-energy program. WindFiber™ is the strategic umbrella under which we carry out our wind-related innovation, engineering, customer proposition, production and services planning, and logistics activities to drive value for the sector.
Sam Fairchild, ECC’s CEO, stated that “Our comprehensive strategy platform — which we have named WindFiber™ — brings us full square into delivering value across all three channels:
+ manufacturing the advanced composite structures for wind energy systems,
+ servicing the composite components of wind energy systems as a composites Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) contractor to integrators and wind farm operators, and
+ supplying composites-related raw materials and material and technology innovations to the wind energy sector.
“We believe that composites play an increasingly important role in driving financial success to wind farm development, and our integrated WindFiber™ approach will accelerate greater and more innovative use of composites in wind energy systems throughout North America. With WindFiber™, we are upping the game.”
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Venture Electronics:
Venture recently finished the installation of a 250 kW solar array at the Johnson Controls Headquarters in Glendale, WI. This massive solar array is currently the largest ground mounted solar field in Wisconsin. The largest roof mount array at the GE Waukesha facility also was installed by Venture Electric.
“The Johnson Controls job was quite a project. It took a total team effort to get this array built on time. It proves that solar energy isn’t just for the Sun Belt,” said Venture Electric’s project manager Jim Seefeldt. Venture’s crew battled sub-zero temperatures to erect an intricate maze of piping that created the framework to support the 1452 solar panels. “Each panel had to be at exactly 30 degree for optimal collection of solar energy. It’s like a massive erector set that makes electricity,” said Electrician Foreman Marty Schultz.
A single solar panel generates approximately 33 volts DC (direct current). Each panel is combined with other panels until it reaches 480 volts DC. This DC voltage is then converted to AC (alternating current) thru an inverter. AC is used in virtually all homes in the United States. The inverter takes this converted voltage and places it back on the power grid for use by Johnson Controls and its neighbors.
The installation of these solar arrays requires a new skill set for traditional electrical contractors. “It requires electricians to abide by codes a lot of electrical contractors don’t use every day. I took it as a personal challenge (to learn the codes). It’s a lot of fun to be part of a new industry,” said Schultz
Venture Electric is excited about the growth of photovoltaic in Wisconsin. “It (PV) is the future of electrical generation and we are proud to be part of it,” said Jeffrey Robertson President of Venture Electric. “With the current administration’s commitment to “green technology” I see this as a real growth area. Photovoltaic and wind power are definitely here to stay.”
by jboullion | Apr 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Alliant Energy:
MADISON, WI – April 13, 2009 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company recognizes that times are tough right now. We are all trying to figure out where to cut back.
One way to energize your wallet and save cash is to enroll in the Appliance Cycling program.
When Midwestern summers bring high heat and humidity, the huge demand for electricity puts a big strain on power plants. With Alliant Energyþs Appliance Cycling program, you can help us meet electricity needs during peak demand times — and we will pay you for participating.
Alliant Energy customers who sign up for the program will have a small control switch placed on or near their central air conditioner. If the demand for electricity escalates to a critical point a signal will be sent to the switch on your air conditioner. The air conditioner will then cycle the outdoor cooling unit off and on every 15 minutes. The furnace fan will continue to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.
Not only will customers reduce their energy costs, Alliant Energy will pay each participating customer an incentive whenever we cycle the air conditioner.
+ 100% option: The air conditioner will be off up tosix continuous hours; you’ll receive an $8 credit per cycling event.
+ 75% option: The air conditioner will be off 22.5 minutes of each half-hour, up to six hours; you’ll receive a $5 credit per cycling event.
+ 50% option: The air conditioner will be off 15 minutes of each half hour, up to six hours; you’ll receive a $2 credit per cycling event.
Customers can save up to $40 each year and reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort and convenience.
