by jboullion | Jan 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
A column by Mike Nichols in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel seems to present an either/or dicotomy between wind-generated electricity and digester-generated electricity. Nichols wrote:
This is something to ponder as we head into a new year – and a new era. We are developing huge wind farms in Wisconsin. People are talking about setting turbines out on our Great Lakes. Breaking wind could be the key to the future. The only question now is “What kind?”
Do we harness our skies or our pies?
The Journal Sentinel published the following response from RENEW’s executive director Michael Vickerman:
The statement that Wisconsin can generate more electricity from manure than from windpower is not supported by the numbers.
To make biogas from manure, a dairy farm operator has to keep the cows inside and under a roof at all times. Only in a confined setting is it possible to collect cow manure and break it down in an oxygen-free digester that results in methane. Of Wisconsin’s 1.3 million dairy cows, only one-eighth of them live in confined animal operations. The average dairy cow here is part of a small herd and spends a considerable amount of time in pasture.
As stated in the column, Wisconsin is well ahead of other states in capturing energy from dairy cow manure and generating electricity with it, and there is certainly room for growth. Bear in mind, however, that takes more than 2,000 dairy cows to produce enough methane to equal the output from one commercial wind turbine. Yes, Wisconsin now boasts about two dozen biogas generation systems attached to dairy farms. But compared with the output from the 251 wind turbines installed this year at four different projects, their electrical production is quite modest.
Though other locally available resources–solar, small hydro, woody fuels and biomethane—will certainly play a larger part in contributing to Wisconsin’s electricity mix, wind energy will remain the renewable energy workhorse for the foreseeable future.
Finally, the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force recommended a raft of policies to achieve a renewable energy goal of 25% by 2025, no small undertaking I can assure you. If we are serious about achieving that goal, we must accept expanded contributions from all eligible resources. We do not have the luxury of playing favorites.
by jboullion | Dec 31, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a story by John Krerowicz in the Kenosha News:
The need for wind energy technician training is not a lot of hot air, said those involved in a conference to be held here on the topic.
The summit is expected to draw 50 participants from the industry and technical colleges on Jan. 6-7 at Snap-on’s Innovation Works. The renovated building, on the company’s headquarters site, 2801 80th St., was the production factory until it closed in 2004.
Representatives from Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wis., Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater, Texas, and Iowa Lakes Community College are expected to attend.
One goal of the gathering is to designate representatives to be liaisons with lawmakers in Madison and Washington, D.C., where the new administration is expected to be more receptive to clean energy. The liaisons would promote appropriate policies and encourage funding for training and related issues.
The group also wants to develop a standard training program that technical schools can adopt and quickly implement to meet the anticipated need for technicians, said Fred Brookhouse, Snap-on’s business and education partnership manager and business development manager over education.
There appears to be no formal study of the number of jobs that the young industry would create. The Focus for Energy Web site currently lists 21 installers, including some in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illionois, with a Milwaukee firm the closest to Kenosha.
But Brookhouse said the need for technicians to install and service wind energy technology will be evident once the country accepts that our major energy supplies are finite.
by jboullion | Dec 31, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Brian Reisinger in the Marshfield News Herald:
Mike Anderson retired from corporate life several years ago to a big house he didn’t need and a desire to live free. That included how he got his electricity.
“What can we do to minimize our impact?” Anderson, 60, said of he and his wife’s desire to pursue alternative energy.
Today, he powers and heats the home he built in the town of Marathon largely by sun and wind. It’s a transition that includes major costs and logistical challenges, but also long-term benefits to everyone, experts and residents who use alternative energy say.
In Anderson’s case, his solar panel and wind turbine cost about $30,000 and $70,000, respectively. Mike Ritzel, owner of Bullshooters Saloon in Weston, wants to install similar systems at his business, but said upfront costs make it difficult.
“Cost is the prohibitive thing,” he said.
There are government incentives and rebates available. That’s partially how Anderson paid for his systems, but Ritzel said elected officials need to provide more funding and fewer restrictions.
by jboullion | Dec 30, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Brian Reisinger in the Wausau Daily Herald:
WESTON — The village Plan Commission on Monday approved an ordinance identifying wind as “an abundant, renewable and nonpolluting energy resource” to respond to growing interest among local businesses.
The Village Board could consider establishing rules on wind turbines at its meeting next Monday.
Jennifer Higgins, community development director and zoning administrator, said the village does not prohibit energy windmills but needs an ordinance to define what’s acceptable.
“Right now, we don’t have anything,” she said.
The ordinance would permit “small wind energy systems” that have a capacity of 100 kilowatts or fewer and are no more than 170 feet tall.
At least three businesses — Applied Laser Technologies, K&M Electric and Bullshooters Saloon — are exploring wind energy as an option.
Chris Osswald, president of ALT, a metal fabrication shop, said a wind turbine would allow his company to address environmental concerns and potentially save money.
“It’s important to how we do things,” he said.
Mike Ritzel, an estimator and electrician with K&M, is exploring wind as an energy resource on behalf of the company. He’s also considering Bullshooters, of which he is an owner, as a possible site to help encourage community interest as electric rates continue to rise.
“Nothing ever goes in reverse,” he said of energy costs.
by jboullion | Dec 21, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a presentation about Wind on the Water by Deb Erwin, program and planning analyst, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
The Governor’s Task Force on Glocal Warming recommended:
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and other state agencies complete a study of the feasibility of generating electricity from off-shore wind resources in the Great Lakes by the end of 2008.
[In response,] the PSC created an external Study Group to examine the feasibility of Great Lakes wind projects.
Task was not to determine whether offshore wind is in the best interests of the state, rather to determine whether or not off-shore wind in the Great Lakes is possible.
Meetings were open to the public and documents were shared.
Materials are available on the PSC website.
Click here for the complete presentation in PDF.
