by jboullion | Jan 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Pete Millard in The Business Journal:
Wisconsin Electric Power Co. [d/b/a We Energies], the state’s largest public energy utility, is seeking Public Service Commission approval to spend $3 million to study the feasibility of harnessing the Great Lakes’ wind power.
With more than a half-dozen wind farms sprouting up in corn and soybean fields from Montfort in southwest Wisconsin to Portage, Eden and Kewaunee on the banks of Lake Michigan in northeast Wisconsin, the real potential for wind power exists on the Great Lakes. That’s according to a November 2008 PSC report.
While no one doubts the potential for wind power on the Great Lakes, there are environmental, construction, transmission and maintenance issues that need examination before wind turbines and towers begin rising in the depths of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
“What we’re proposing is taking the next step forward from the PSC report,” said Roman Draba, WEPCO’s vice president of regulatory affairs and policy.
The PSC’s own Great Lakes wind power study summarizes the various state, federal and tribal statutes, rules and regulations that may have to be changed before any proposal to build an off-shore wind project can move ahead, but these are not insurmountable obstacles, said Carl Siegrist, WEPCO’s senior renewable energy strategist.
Less known is whether the technology exists to economically transmit the wind power from off-shore turbines to on-shore transmission lines. Also unknown is the cost to build and maintain the turbines and towers, especially in winter, Siegrist said.
“A big part of the study will also monitor exactly what the wind patterns are and how productive they may be,” said Draba.
The WEPCO Lake Michigan study also will look at the potential environmental impact the towers and turbines would have on bats and migratory birds.
by jboullion | Jan 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative has announced that Clark Electric Cooperative officially became a program member as of Jan. 1.
The utility serves about 8,800 customers in Clark, Chippewa, Jackson, Marathon, Taylor and Wood counties.
“Clark Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions,” said Eric Callisto, chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the Focus on Energy program.
Clark Electric will participate in the business, residential and renewable energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. Benefits of participating include:
• Business programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort.
• Wisconsin Energy Star Homes, a program that helps homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements in their remodeling projects.
• Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of Energy Star-qualified products, ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment.
• Renewable energy programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – (January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility, located in Ellsworth, Wis., serves approximately 6,500 electric members throughout most of Pierce County and portions of Pepin, St. Croix and Buffalo counties.
“I welcome Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services’ decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Jan 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
(January 6, 2009) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Vernon Electric Cooperative officially became a program member beginning January 1, 2009. The utility serves approximately 10,000 members throughout Vernon County and portions of La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Sauk, Richland and Crawford counties.
“I welcome Vernon Electric Cooperative into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Vernon Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make sound energy decisions.”
Vernon Electric Cooperative will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Jan 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Kertscher in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Mequon – The largest wind turbine on a technical college campus in Wisconsin has been erected at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Mequon, where officials hope that what’s been dubbed “Blades of Freedom” will reduce campus energy costs and help train students for sustainable energy jobs of the future.
The turbine, which at 160 feet high and 56 feet wide easily is visible from Highland Road, also is aimed at raising awareness among the public about renewable sources of energy, said Michael Townsend, vice president of the Mequon campus.
Questions about the turbine’s appearance, noise and other issues initially caused City of Mequon officials to pause when they took up MATC’s request in April 2006. But four months later, after hiring a consultant, the city gave the turbine a green light.
The school purchased a reconditioned 90-kilowatt, V-17 turbine from Vestas, a company in Denmark.
The original cost to MATC was pegged at $150,000, but it has since climbed to $188,000. With $67,000 in grants from We Energies and the state’s Focus on Energy program, the total cost is about $255,000.
The MATC portion rose because a vendor that the school originally intended to use withdrew from the deal, said MATC spokeswoman Kathleen Hohl. And after the turbine was purchased, it sustained damage while being stored on the Mequon campus as the school waited for approvals from the city, she said.
MATC expects to recoup its investment because the turbine will generate about 8% of the Mequon campus’ electricity. . . .
