Solar-powered boating

Did you know there is a catamaran powered by solar?

Planetsolar is the developer, and it's covered with 500 square meters of photovoltaic solar panels to power an electric motor. The boat, traveling at an average speed of 7.5 knots, is expected to take a world tour in 2011.

The project is designed to show how technology and clean energy can combine to impact our lives and change our world. "This project showcases solutions that help raise mainstream awareness of sustainable alternatives in the transportation industry," said Ian Hudson, a president of DuPont, which supplied materials for the photovoltaic modules and coatings.

Here's a press release from DuPont, and here's more information from Planetsolar.

Here at the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, we're interested in getting clean and renewable energy into our daily lives.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Photo of boat courtesy of Planetsolar

UC Merced students honored for solar research

UC Merced is fast becoming known for solar energy work, as evidenced by three students being chosen as finalists in the Big Ideas competition sponsored by the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society.

CITRIS pairs up faculty and students from UCs Merced, Berkeley, Davis and Santa Cruz with industrial researchers. Through competition, teams that submit white papers have a shot at thousands of dollars in prize money.

This year, UC Merced graduate students Ricardo Marquez and Hugo Pedro and undergrad David Larson netted $1,000 and honorable mention for their project. Read all about it here.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization supports UC Merced's work in clean and renewable energy.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Stockton company unveils 'hydrogen boiler'

Hydrogen Technologies Inc. has something proponents say could make a dent in U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.

The Modesto-based company has patented what it calls "a revolutionary method for burning hydrogen and oxygen in a vacuum chamber to create heat and steam with no greenhouse gases." The only byproduct is water.

"It's something that's going to change the world," said Frank Ferral, program and public policy director of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, energy efficiency guru and San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization board member. An official from the company plans to meet with the chamber's Green Team.

Here's how it works according to the company: "Combustion takes place in a closed ‘dynamic’ vessel that can either be a vacuum or pressurized depending on the application. Hydrogen Technologies has a patent pending and tested a model of the combustion chamber. The ‘dynamic’ vessel may be large enough to service a power plant or very small so as to fit under the hood of a car."

Other companies are working on bringing hydrogen to the market but have made little headway. Automobile manufacturers also are working to develop cost-effective hydrogen-powered cars but have the problem of availability for roadside refills. Burnaby, British Columbia-based Ballard Power Systems Inc. brought hydrogen power to this year's Winter Olympics, proving the fuel can be used efficiently. The company showed off its various technologies, including hydrogen-powered buses.

Scandanavian company produces power from pumped water

A Norwegian company has created a device that produces electricity from piped water under pressure.

It's an accomplishment that could win Zeropex a number of customers, especially amongst cities, counties and water districts that pay gobs of money for electricity to pump water. For instance, about 20 percent of the energy used in California is spent moving water around.

"Our energy efficient solutions are cutting your carbon footprint whilst improving your bottom line," the company says.

Zeropex explained the process this way: The micro generator "is a pressure-reducing system generating pure power from the pressure drop in fluids. It combines the pressure control from chokes and electricity generation from hydroturbines. DIFGEN is a cost effective replacement of pressure chokes in all types of systems where pressure control is vital."

In a Thursday post, greentechmedia.com said Rentricity and a few other companies have been trying to market the technology for some time but have faced difficulty because of cost, technology and finding a customer base.

But that may change. In his story, Michael Kanellos quoted Zeropex CEO Tor Ersdal as saying production cost is coming down and Michael Russell, a Cabinet Secretary in Scotland, as saying that his country is investing in micro hydro. Scottish Water plans to generate green electricity by fitting turbines in water mains and aims to launch a pilot project in Fife later this year, according to the Sunday London Times. "The device will generate enough electricity to power about 50 homes," wrote reporter Mark Home.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization has worked with quite a few cities that plan to spend a portion of their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant allocations on pump replacement. Just installing variable frequency drive pumps can reduce energy costs by a third or more. The payback can be as brief as several years.

The SJVCEO is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Winds of change at Sam's Club

The world's largest retailer, Walmart, wasn't kidding when it pledged to become a leader in all things green. Consider what's going on at its Sam's Club store in Palmdale in Southern California.

It has mounted 17 micro wind turbines on light poles in the parking lot to help power the store. The turbines are estimated to provide 76,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually – enough to power more than six average American homes for a year, Wal-Mart said in a news release.

The development adds to the company’s other renewable energy projects in the state, including solar installations at 28 Walmart and Sam’s Club sites, and fuel cell installations at two Walmart stores.

The turbines were installed in Palmdale because the area has strong wind resources. Wind power is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of renewable energy since there are no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution associated with energy generation. Wind turbines rotate to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy.

In early May, Walmart will complete another wind turbine project at a new Walmart store in Worcester, Ma. The retailer plans to consider other locations for micro wind projects as well.

The projects help the company complete energy objectives, which also include eliminating 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015.

“We are thrilled to be the first to demonstrate micro wind turbines in a retail environment, and pleased this project complements other wind and solar installations in California,” said Paul Stone, a senior vice president of Sam’s Club. “This project required a lot of collaboration and we appreciate the city of Palmdale for their efforts throughout the process and construction.”

It's unlikely, of course, that every Sam's Club will get micro wind turbines. Many cities simply don't get enough wind, but maybe stores such as the one in Fresno will find some other source of clean and green energy.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

DOE wants stimulus money spent now

Federal officials want Recovery Act money spent. And they're getting increasingly vocal about it.

"Those that aren't spending fast enough, they get a phone call from me," said Matt Rogers, senior advisor to the Secretary for Recovery Act Implementation at the U.S. Department of Energy, in a story by Yoni Cohen on greentechmedia.com. "We have a conversation about what the American taxpayer is expecting and what we're expecting and how you are going to get a faster plan and hit your milestones on time [and] on budget."

Rogers made his comments at Yale University's Clean Energy Innovation Conference last week.

He's referring to taxpayer money allocated throught the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act meant to stimulate the economy. In the San Joaquin Valley's case, that means money allocated by the DOE through Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants and other mechanisms. Much of that money hasn't been spent because it went to smaller cities and counties through the California Energy Commission, which is just now approving the EECBG applications.

However, larger cities in the state got their allocations months ago. Some have begun spending. Some have not.

The lack of spending delays the intent of the Recovery Act and puts pressure on political leaders to get results. "After the Obama Administration was criticized for being too slow to implement its weatherization program, the Department of Energy stepped up its effort to hold accountable both state governments and the community action agencies states pay to provide weatherization services," Cohen wrote.

The New York Times weighed in with a story last week saying, "The efficiency business has not reaped the benefit that it had hoped to receive."

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Energy efficiency opportunities for farmers

Agriculture is a major user of energy, with direct and indirect consumption of power amounting to an estimated 15% of total production farm expenses, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Now come two opportunities for farmers to become more energy efficient. One opportunity consists of $87 million of federal money available for renewable energy and energy-efficiency improvements through the Rural Energy for America Program. Here's the announcement in the Federal Register.

The other is for $2 million worth of energy audits in 29 states - including California - through the USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Here's more on that program.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Where's the Beef? Amtrak has it

The states of Texas and Oklahoma, Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration have teamed up for what they say is the first test of a passenger train powered by beef byproducts.

The renewable biodiesel fuel blend is powering the Heartland Flyer, a daily interstate train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. Financed partly through a $274,000 federal grant, the fuel source includes beef byproducts provided by a company in Texas, Amtrak officials said.

Government and railroad officials already have a sense of how effective the blend will be. Previous stationary testing reduced hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide each by 10%, lowered particulates 15% and sulfates fell 20%.

Detailed measurements will be reviewed after a year. The Texas Beef Council was present at the kickoff in Fort Worth to give more information about the beefed-up service to passengers.

Amtrak says it has taken steps to embrace the green movement. Receptacles for recycling bottles and cans are available on every dining car, recyling programs are in effect at all Amtrak offices, idling times are reduced, passengers can buy carbon offsets and biolubricants are used in hydraulic systems.

Could this be the beginning of a new railroad trend? The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization will be following the developments.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Desert tortoise conflicts with solar

One of the issues surrounding the emerging solar industry in California is the concern that the operations could sometimes conflict with endangered species.

That's apparently at the crux of a debate of sorts in the wilds of northwest San Bernardino County, where a proposal solar array has run afoul of desert tortoise habitat on federal land.

BrightSource Energy Co. wants to install thousands of mirrors to create steam to drive turbines that in turn would generate clean energy for about 140,000 homes, according to this Riverside Press-Enterprise story.

However, the Sierra Club has suggested a revising the project to protect the tortoises. The environmental group says building the development closer to Interstate 15 would protect wildlife.

Federal officials must approve the proposal because it is on land leased from he Bureau of Land Management, according to this earlier New York Times article. Tthe issue is one the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization will track because solar is increasingly popular in the inland Central Valley, where vacant land is in ample supply and power bills are high.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

State to issue EECBG awards for 2 Valley jurisdictions

The California Energy Commission is expected to approve about $2.62 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants at its May 5 meeting.

The list of approved jurisdictions includes Dinuba and Stanislaus County as well as Pismo Beach.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocations come through the U.S. Department of Energy and target energy efficiency retrofits such as lighting, air conditioning, electric motors and other items in mostly government owned buildings.

The 33 cities and three counties represented by the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Partnership are expected to have their grants approved May 12. Once grants are approved, work can begin. Each project begins with a "kick-off meeting" with the CEC project manager and grants officer to discuss the agreement's terms and conditions, permits, work schedule and reporting.

It unfolds from there with some cities contracting the work out and others doing it with staff. The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization will keep its partner jurisdictions updated throughout the process.

The SJVCEO is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Photo: City Hall in Arvin is scheduled to receive EECBG retrofits.

Electric cars get a boost from the White House

Tesla won't be the only start-up with an electric car on the market if would-be automaker Fisker pulls off its latest financial deal.

The U.S. Department of Energy today announced approval of a $529 million loan to the
Irvine-based company for development and production of two lines of plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles. The loan will support the Karma, a full-size, four-door sports sedan, and a line of family-oriented models under development, according to a DOE statement.

“The story of Fisker is a story of ingenuity of an American company, a commitment to
innovation by the U.S. government and the perseverance of the American auto industry,” said Vice President Joe Biden in prepared remarks.

Fisker plans to manufacture the Karma and other product lines at a recently shuttered General Motors factory in Wilmington, Del. Fisker plans to hire 2,000 assembly workers, and government officials expect that through domestic parts suppliers and service providers, employment will increase substantially.

“The Boxwood Plant is opening again, employing workers in Delaware, and is serving as a roadmap for all we can accomplish if everyone works together," Biden said.

Josie Garthwaite of Earth2tech.com reported that the loan "marks the fourth agreement to reach this stage under the DOE’s highly competitive Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program." She said between June and October 2009, DOE made loan agreements with Tesla Motors, Nissan, Ford, Fisker and parts maker Tenneco.

UC Merced strives for sustainability

University of California's newest campus in Merced is making strides toward its stated goal of being the greenest in UC's system. Yesterday, it released a 56-page sustainability strategic plan and unveiled a related Website.

The sustainability plan, unveiled after almost three years of meeting, names environmental goals in 12 areas such as green construction and energy use.

The campus has an ambitious "triple zero" commitment to use renewable sources to produce as much energy as it uses, eliminate landfill waste and and produce no greenhouse gas emissions - all by 2020.

Here is a press release from the university, detailing more.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Earth Day celebrated at Fresno State

Students and local businesses got into the act on Earth Day, promoting recycling, solar energy, clean air and other conservation measures.

The day was a bit damp, but that didn't keep people away from the booths at Fresno State University.

Earth Day was started in 1970 to promote environmental awareness and , founded in 1970. It has become an annual event, and is usually marked by a variety of events - such as campus programs.

The city of Fresno and solar companies were among those who attended the Fresno State event. In the photo, students and others gather near a booth staffed by Real Goods Solar.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

Vice president rolls out big clean energy spending

Just in time for Earth Day, the White House announced a plan to award $452 million in Recovery Act money to “ramp-up” energy efficiency retrofits in 25 cities.

Los Angeles County received $30 Million for the Retrofit California project. The county is teaming with Sacramento and the the Association of Bay Area governments to offer a residential program that "will provide new financing options, including revolving loans and utility allowances for affordable housing."

"For forty years, Earth Day has focused on transforming the way we use energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuel -- but this year, because of the historic clean energy investments in the Recovery Act, we're poised to make greater strides than ever in building a nationwide clean energy economy," said Vice President Joe Biden, who made the announcement. “This investment in some of the most innovative energy-efficiency projects across the country will not only help homeowners and businesses make cost-cutting retrofit improvements, but also create jobs right here in America."

Other cities that received grants include Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Phoenix.

For more on Earth Day, specifically how it all started, go here.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to improving residents' quality of life by increasing the use of and reliance on clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the eight-county region.

Missouri nonprofit jumps on anti AB 32 bandwagon

The battle over AB 32 continues to gain steam. A Missouri-based nonprofit has given about $500,000 to the effort to remove California's Global Warming Solutions Act from the state's law books.

Last week, the Adam Smith Foundation, based in Jefferson City, Missouri, gave $498,000 to AB 32 opponents, reported Anthony York of Capitol Weekly. "That's quite a contribution, considering the group's entire revenues for the last two years were just $30,000 per year," he said.

York said it's curious why the group got involved in the first place as the Adam Smith Foundation describes itself as "an advocacy organization committed to promoting conservative principles and individual liberties in Missouri. The Adam Smith Foundation was created to defend judicial reform, government accountability, education reform, tax and spending reform and protecting private property."

York said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the person listed as the principal officer for the campaign to repeal AB 32, said he did not know much about the big donation but was pleased to get it.

Here's a past SJVCEO blog post on the AB 32 controversy.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to improving residents' quality of life by increasing the use of and reliance on clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the eight-county region.

Appliance version of Cash for Clunkers

Appliance dealers in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California are gearing up for potentially robust business when the state's new Cash for Appliances rebate program kicks off Thursday.

If Illinois is any indication, the $35.2 million - a portion of $300 million in federal stimulus funds available nationwide - allocated to California could expire quickly. The $6.5 million available in Illinois ran out in only 11 hours.

Some Valley stores say they plan to open extra early to cash in, according to The Fresno Bee.

The goal is to get families to replace energy-guzzling washers, air conditioners and other appliances with new efficient models. The program coincides with Earth Day.

Pentagon push to go green

Energy, to the Pentagon, is a national security issue. Thus, the nation's military is embarking on an ambitious effort to go green.

Imagine fighter jets that run on biofuel. Or electric-drive ships, and bases powered by geothermal. How about solar-power water purification systems in Afghanistan and other regions.

Those are all part of an overall strategy to reduce reliance on foreign oil. "...To make us better war fighters and to get us more down the road to energy independence. We also feel the military can lead in this regard," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told The Miami Herald.

The Pentagon could become a model for civilians, businesses and local governments, including those the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization helps. The Miami Herald said the military effort could help create economies of scale that decrease the cost of renewable energy, and military adaptation of green technologies could spread to everyday life, like what happened with the Internet.

Already, solar provides 25% of the power at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and geothermal is a major supplier of energy at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Center in Southern California, acording to Renewable Energy World.com.

The Navy also received a contract to build a geothermal plant at Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada, and Renewable Energy World.com says the Department of Defense is considering joint ventures to create other projects.

The Army has plans for 4,000 electric vehicles over the next three years, The Air Force plans to use renewable energy to power 25% of the energy at its bases, and by 2016 use biofuel blends for half its aviation fuel.

The Navy also has plans for a strike force run on non-fossil fuels. It already has an assault ship, the USS Makin Island, that is powered by hybrid gas and electric. It saved nearly $2 million in fuel costs in its maiden voyage last year.

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to improving residents' quality of life by increasing the use of and reliance on clean energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the eight-county region.

Photo of solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base by Green Tech.

School district lauded for energy savings

Clovis Unified School District was honored for its efforts in conserving energy, according to The Fresno Bee.

Thirty eight of its 41 schools met or exceeded Energy Star guidelines set by the federal government. A ceremony marking the distinction was held at Gettysburg Elementary School, the only facility in the district - and one of only 10 in the entire state - that achieved a rating of 100%.

Here's what The Bee wrote.

Merced County farmers, others embrace renewables

Carol Reiter of the Merced Sun-Star has been busy the last few days writing stories about renewable energy and conservation. First, there was the piece on Hilltop Ranch in Ballico, where owners Dave and Christine Long invested in a solar power system.

The solar panels will replace 78% of the electrical needs at the ranch, which is equivalent to removing 258 vehicles off the road for 25 years. In return, the Longs will get a grant from the U.S. Treasury to cover 30% of the cost of the system.

Today, Reiter reported on a self-guided "green tour" of homes made of recycled products and a native-species garden. She talked to a Livingston man named John Mitchell, whose home is framed of wood from an old Methodist church. He bought the church for $1 and tore it down himself.


Mitchell's brick patio is paved with bricks from an old raisin-drying facility. His front door came from a chicken house.

Professors fight for clean air

A couple of climate-study veterans have lent their support to retaining California's Global Warming Solutions Act, or AB 32.

Rachel Morello-Frosch, an associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Manuel Pastor, a professor at the University of Southern California, said the "enormous potential" for cleaner air shouldn't be overlooked and cited a Field poll last week that found that 58% of Californians support the policy.

"California's climate law was put into place years ago and now it's time to implement it," they wrote on the Huffington Post. "Economic research on this issue shows that green job growth is a more likely result of climate policy and California is well-positioned for gains in that sector. If the oil companies win, it will just delay the immediate opportunity for cleaner air and better public health."

Their post comes on the heels of reports underlining the power of energy efficiency to bolster the economy and an increasingly vocal battle by opponents of AB 32 who call it a boondoggle.

The Wall Street Journal said AB 32's compliance costs will force businesses to cut jobs and raise prices.

Under AB 32, cities would have to establish energy consumption baselines for their communities and work to reduce those levels through energy efficiency measures. That would mean retrofitting buildings by installing cool roofs, LED lighting, low-wattage fluorescents, variable frequency drive pumps and high-efficiency air conditioning systems, among other measures.

Morello-Frosch and Pastor also wrote the study, "Minding the Climate Gap: What's at Stake if California's Climate Law isn't Done Right and Right Away," which says people of color and the poor have the most to lose if efforts to confront climate change are delayed.

Energy efficiency could bring South big payoff

The southern United States could reap major economic benefits if residents, businesses and industry embrace energy efficiency, a report released this week says.

The report, "Energy Efficiency in the South" by the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, suggests a list of policy measures and says private and public sectors would have to work together. Should that happen, the report's authors contend: "In 2020, energy bills in the South would be reduced by $41 billion, electricity rate increases would be moderated, 380,000 new jobs would be created, and the region's economy would grow by $1.23 billion."

Likewise, the report says 8.6 billion gallons of freshwater could be conserved in 2020 because of reduced cooling needs.

"Water savings alone should grab the interest of many of the elected officials in southern states, many of whom face projected increases in population with limited supplies of water," said Ben Tribbett, founder of "Not Larry Sabato" blog, on the Huffington Post. "Mark Twain once remarked, 'Whiskey's for drinking, water's for fighting about' in reference to water scarcity in the West, but such a remark rings just as true today."

Certainly in California. Think Westlands. Clean energy could do well in the Valley.

Photo: Atlanta from North Avenue Bridge.

New ozone standards and clean energy

The San Joaquin Valley is basically a big bowl that serves up a mix of nasty air during the hot summer. And the Environmental Protection Agency isn't happy.

“Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley is consistently among the worst in the nation,” said Deborah Jordan, director of the Air Division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “New and modified facilities will now be subject to the most stringent requirements, which will contribute to the health of our communities.”

In addition, the U.S EPA revised the state’s Clean Air Plan to make it consistent with state law, which requires permitting of agriculture facilities emitting more than 5 tons per year of ozone producing pollutants.

What that means, says Mark Grossi of The Fresno Bee, is that Valley businesses could spend billions of dollars trying to meet a new stricter 2031 deadline - which is 30% more restrictive than an established 2024 threshold.

Grossi quotes Seyed Sadredin, executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, who says the Valley would have to eliminate gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels in industries and vehicles.

All that makes a pretty compelling argument for more green-energy measures in the Valley, which the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization supports.

Casino gambles on solar energy

Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort in Southern California is going green in a big way.

The casino installed 4,000 solar panels that cover more than 5 acres, added energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and retrofitted 10,000 light fixtures, according to the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

Suntech Power installed the system, which provides 25% of the casino's annual power needs. Rincon will receive a rebate totalling $3 million over five years, thanks to the partnership between Rincon, San Diego Gas & Electric, TRANE and California Center for Sustainable Energy.

The casino began a "Code Green" environmental sustainability program in 2008. That includes strategies for recycling, water conservation, beach cleanup and transportation, as well as solar.

Solar industry requires variety of job skills

The solar industry has been a bright spot during this gloomy recession, and many people think it will continue to add jobs.

The good thing is that a wide variety of positions are available because the industry requires more than sales agents and installers.

Liz Merry, owner of Verve Solar Consulting in Davis, talked about the employment picture at a recent workshop sponsored by San Diego-based California Center for Sustainable Energy.

She thinks government programs and desire to cut energy bills will spur the retrofit part of the industry 300% over the next few years.

"Look up, down and across the solar industry value chain for where to position yourself," she told participants.

Merry, according to the write-up by CCSE, said job seekers should A/ Understand the solar industry and its opportunities, from subcontractractors doing housing retrofits to utilities; B/ figure out how to adapt your skills to solar; C/ Seek out training programs, from communities colleges to union and educational centers; D/ Attend conferences, workshops and network.

Her research is in addition to a recent federal study that the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization recently posted on its Web site. That research projects a four-fold increase in green-energy employment by 2020.

Then there is a study by Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology that says energy-efficiency programs in North Carolina could create more than 30,000 jobs and slash power bills $3.8 billion.

The SJVCEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping make the eight-county San Joaquin Valley a leader in energy efficiency and all things green.

Photo by Paul Chinn/San Francisco Chronicle

Feds tighten Energy Star

Associated Press reports that restrictions will be put on Energy Star because feds worried about possible fraud.

Here's the story.

This light bulb lasts 17 years

Yes, that''s right. A light bulb that will last through your offspring's childhood. A bulb that stays on long after the dog dies. A bulb that will last longer than many people own their homes.

GE will debut a 40-watt GE Energy Smart LED bulb this year or in 2011. At $40 to $50, it won't be cheap, but it should last 40 times longer than a general 40-watt incandescent or halogen bulb, the company says.

The LED bulb will consume only 9 watts, save 77% worth of energy and produce almost as much light as a normal incandescent bulb.

"This is a bulb that virtually can light your kid's bedroom desk lamp from birth through high school graduation," said John Strainic, global product general manager for GE.

That's not all. In unrelated news, GE also announced that discount giant Target will install its energy-efficient lighting in refrigerated display cases in 500 stores nationwide, cutting energy use 60% compared with older fluorescent systems.

(Photo from GE Consumer Products/Engadget)

Green jobs sector expected to accelerate

The number of energy efficiency-related jobs is expected to accelerate over the next decade, a new report says.

The "green" sector will grow four-fold by 2020 to about 1.3 million jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy-funded report titled "Energy Efficiency Services Sector: Workforce Education and Training Needs." It was researched by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Research Into Action Inc.

The report says energy efficiency employment could grow about 11 percent a year over the decade. Professional occupations, including engineers, architects, managers, program planners and program evaluators, would account for about 25 percent to 35 percent of that growth, while building and construction contractors and trades would account for 65 percent to 75 percent.

However, the report says, "We found a notable lack of awareness on the part of building and construction contractors and tradespeople that energy efficiency is poised for significant growth ... It is important to educate and support the building and construction industries to make sure they are able to provide a trained workforce to support this growth."

Training programs on multiple levels should be beefed up with states and trades groups playing a role, the report's authors advise.

The report follows another by the California Air Resources Board that says California's climate legislation won't hurt job growth in the state.

Waste-to-energy huge in Europe; not in U.S.

You would think that environmentalists would support waste-to-energy projects in the United States, but many don't. Landill waste could be a crucial fuel here, but many people fear a strong incineration industry would kill recycling efforts, which shoot for zero waste.

It's a fascinating issue, and the New York Times has it.

What do you think?

Dow Jones plans major solar project

Dow Jones & Co. plans to construct what is believed to be one of the nation's largest solar installations on a single site at its 200-acre corporate office campus in New Jersey.

The design calls for more than 13,000 solar panels covering nearly 230,000 square feet of parking space on Dow Jones’s Bernard Kilgore campus in South Brunswick. The 4.1 megawatt system is expected to produce the equivalent of 5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, energy to power the servers and computers that support the global operations of Dow Jones.

About 2,000 people work there.

At peak performance, the solar installation will be capable of supplying half the site’s energy needs. Over the course of the year, accounting for the hours when the sun isn’t bright or not shining at all, the system will supply nearly 15% of the campus’energy needs.

The South Brunswick campus includes elements of nearly every Dow Jones operation - from corporate to sales and marketing to news. Major departments at the location include technology, product development, human resources, finance, facilities and legal.

Tax breaks for green energy in Calif.

Green-energy companies in California also benefit from a measure that would give tax relief to homeowners who sell their houses at a loss or are the subject of foreclosure.

That's because the proposed legislation, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he will likely sign, provides about $60 million in tax credits to companies that provide renewable energy. It basically is an extension of federal breaks, The Los Angeles Times' Patrick McGreevy writes.

The green credits are provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides grants to companies that produce renewable power. The federal government does not tax the money and, under the bill approved Thursday, neither will the state, The Times said.

Wind blew strong in renewable energy in 2009

The wind-energy industry blew like crazy last year when more than 10,000 megawatts of production was added. Wind now provides 1.8% of all U.S. power, according to the American Wind Energy Association, which released a report today.

Wind provided 39% of the new generating capacity last year. Fourteen states are part of the "Gigawatt Club" with more than 1,000 megawatts of wind power capacity installed, and the wind industry supported 85,000 jobs nationwide, the association said.

Wind energy is a vital part of the country's renewable-energy portfolio, which encompasses about 10.5% of the nation's power mix. Texas and Iowa are No. 1 and 2 in wind energy, with California ranking third. Washington and Oregon round out the top five.

The majority of wind turbines in California are in Altamont Pass east of San Francisco, San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs and near Tehachapi in Kern County. Kern County is among the jurisdictions covered by the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization.

Here are some highlights from the report:

•Offshore wind power is gaining momentum in the U.S. The report lists seven projects with significant progress in the planning, permitting, and testing process. Both the federal government and several states established significant milestones in 2009 to encourage offshore wind power development.

•America’s wind power production of 35,000 MW will avoid an estimated 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 10.5 million cars off the road.

•America’s wind power fleet will conserve approximately 20 billion gallons of water annually that would otherwise be lost to evaporation from steam of cooling in conventional power plants.

Photo of windmills in Altamont Pass.

Opponents take aim at climate change law

California's Global Warming Solutions Act, or AB 32, would require cities and counties to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Just how that's to be accomplished is unclear, and the measure's opponents are growing increasingly vocal as the next major election draws near.

A Wall Street Journal opinion piece this week paints the act as a boondoggle to business: "AB 32 creates a statewide cap-and-trade program and imposes numerous command-and-control mandates that CARB (California Air Resources Board) calls 'complementary measures' on businesses, such as low-carbon fuel standards and a goal of achieving 33 percent energy from renewable sources by 2020. Companies say compliance costs will force them to cut jobs and raise prices."

Under AB 32, cities would have to establish energy consumption baselines for their communities and work to reduce those levels through energy efficiency measures. That would mean retrofitting buildings by installing cool roofs, LED lighting, low-wattage fluorescents, variable frequency drive pumps and high-efficiency air conditioning systems, among other measures.

How this will work and what state agency will oversee the activity is uncertain. At this point, it appears the Air Resources Board will be in charge.

KQED's Climate Watch blog spelled out the AB 32 battle rather succinctly in a story Wednesday, with Craig Miller writing, "Lately the debate has escalated into full-scale PR warfare."

Miller itemizes some of the key players, including Republican candidate for governor Meg Whitman, who promises to repeal the law if elected; a proposed ballot initiative against the measure; and an online campaign against supporters of the initiative, specifically refiners Valero and Tesoro.

Whatever happens, energy efficiency is expected to continue to win believers. Not only does it remain an important tool in reducing energy costs, but those who reduce their energy footprint will reap continued benefits as the price of fossil fuels rises.

Hawaii, military team up to cut oil consumption

Hawaii gets 90% of its oil from other nations, and that is a big reason why state officials and the U.S. Navy are looking for ways to reduce the military's dependency on fossil fuels.

The Honolulu Advertiser reports that there is a militarywide effort in the Aloha state to beef up solar power and biofuel output. Officials said the Office of Naval Research will commit about $2 million per year to the plan.

The state, federal Department of Energy, Navy and U.S. Agriculture Department are teaming up on the effort.

Investment signals development of solar AC units

San Jose-based Chromasun intends to jump-start its development and marketing of a solar-powered air conditioning system with a $3 million investment, officials said today.

The money comes from Danish investor VKR Holding, GoGreen Capital and two unnamed U.S. investors, the company said.

“This is a world-class investment team that will provide Chromasun and its MCT product with significant support for our worldwide expansion plans,” said Chromasun CEO Peter Le Lievre in a statement.

The concept would provide an interesting clean energy alternative, especially during scorching San Joaquin Valley summers.

The rooftop system "collects heat from the sun with reflectors and transfers it into a fluid, similar to the process that large-scale solar thermal systems in the desert use," writes Michael Kanellos of Greentechmedia.com. "But instead of using the heat to make steam and turn a turbine, the heat is pumped into a double-effect chiller that, through a series of phase-change reactions and heat exchanges, results in cold air."

Huron hooks up solar power

Littleton, Colo.-based SolarGen USA plans to ink a deal today with the city of Huron for a $50 million solar farm, officials said.

The 5 megawatt installation would be on a 40-acre site in the community of about 6,900 people in western Fresno County. The project marks the "initiation of a new future," said Rey Leon, executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy Project, in a statement.

"This will generate blue collar employment," Leon said. "But our hope is that the youth can see this project and work toward being the white-collar leaders in a new green world. It has always been the custom of Huron, “the Heart of the Valley,” to harvest food for the rest of the planet, and it is appropriate that it will now begin to harvest the sun."

SolarGen expects to break ground on the installation at year's end, said Carmine Iadarola, a principal with the company. Completion would come three to four months later, he said.

The company intends to lease the site from the city. Those payments and associated taxes would go to Huron coffers. "We hope to generate quite a bit of revenue for the city," Iadarola said.

City Manager Gerald Forde said the project will provide Huron with $40,000 to $50,000 per year in new revenue. "Other projects we are negotiating will provide power to the city's water and sewer facilities thereby reducing our energy costs significantly, which will help keep customer costs down," he said.

SolarGen has another solar project in Firebaugh, which is expected to break ground this summer. In all, the company has 15 projects planned for the San Joaquin Valley.

Phone in clean energy?

Pretty soon, checking to see if the oven was left on, the door left open or the AC was stuck on high will be as easy as pulling up the appropriate data on a portable electronic device.

If there's a power-usage spike, the answer may be yes to one of the above.

Companies like Google, GreenBox, Tendril, Onzo and the Energy Detective are either offering or plan to offer services allowing consumers to monitor and calibrate energy usage electronically from afar. The clean energy connection is unmistakable and at first blush shows major promise.

The question is: Will it fly? The weekend's debut of the iPad may help determine whether remote energy management reaches the masses or goes the way of a used VHS workout tape. Katie Fehrenbacher, a reporter at earth2tech.com, takes on the topic and reasons that the iPad provides a medium through which companies like Onzo and Tendril could access a larger audience.

"The preliminary stage of the market is one reason why the iPad could possibly have such a large effect," she wrote. "As Glen Mella, the President and COO of Control4 — a home automation and energy management startup that created a free iPad app — put it in an interview Monday, think of the millions of people who could suddenly have access to a power display with rich media for home energy management."

Energy consumption is a big deal. The SJVCEO is working to export the Stockton Chamber's REACON Program, which promotes the money-saving virtues of saving power and resources, throughout the Valley's Main Streets. The iPad's ability to access the smart grid might just provide another tool in the arsenal for progressive entrepreneurs.

climate law facing opposition

California's landmark climate law, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is a prototype for other states and the nation, is being attacked by businesses and the leading Republican gubernatorial frontrunner.
A group of businesses are funding a ballot measure to delay the law until the unemployment rate falls to 5.5%, while Meg Whitman, who wants to be governor, has said she will suspend it.
The issue comes down to jobs. Critics contend the law, which requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2020, will drive away businesses. Proponents, including the implementing agency California Air Resources Board, contend the climate measure will promote investments.
Here is an AP story on the matter.

Yolo County joins program

Yolo County officials are the latest to join an innovative program that enables homeowners and businesses to finance energy-efficiency upgrades through their property tax.
The program, CaliforniaFIRST, was developed to help property owners pay for new windows, energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems and other upgrades that cut power usage and bills.
Yolo County, as the collection agency for property assessments, makes it possible for all four cities within the county to participate. The upgrades are financed through an additional line item on property taxes.
Fresno and Kern counties are among pilot counties for CaliforniaFIRST, which should become effective in June. "What's unique about this program is that the assessment obligation transfers with the sale of the property," said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Helen M. Thomson.

Photo from Yolo Community Foundation

Obama to double Fed hybrid fleet

The Obama administration has announced that it will replace older cars in its fleet with fuel-effficient hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, a move designed to cut carbon dioxide and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The U.S. General Services Administration will double the hybrid fleet in 2010, and said it will buy 100 plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2011. The announcement is part of an effort to cut the federal government's fleet petroleum use by 30% by 2020.

Using existing funds, the Feds will replace 5,603 of its least fuel-efficient cars and trucks, saving an estimated 7.7 million gallons of gas, or 385,000 barrels of oil.

The government wants to lead by example, said Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. "These types of clean-energy investments will help create new private-sector jobs, drive long-term savings, build market capacity and foster innovation in clean-energy industries," she said.

Photo of plug-in car by AP/Elaine Thompson.

China and U.S. to share clean energy research

China, considered a world leader in clean energy development, and the U.S., which many people claim is falling behind in that field, are combining to develop joint research.

The federal Department of Energy has earmarked $37.5 million toward development of clean energy technologies. The money will go to American researchers and institutions, who must then match the funds to bring the total up to $75 million, the New York Times reported.

China will also allocate $75 million. All projects will involve researchers from both countries.

A new organization - U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center - will be established in both nations.

Projects are expected to be aimed in three areas, according to the Times: buildings, clean coal and vehicles.

China isn't likely to be the only new research partner in clean energy. A similar program will likely be organized with India.

More energy-efficient water heaters on the way

Consumers could cut greenhouse gas emissions by following new regulations for water heaters sent down by the Obama administration.

The monetary savings won't be much tons in energy costs, but carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by 164 million metric tons over 30 years, or the same as eliminating 46 million cars for one year, The New York Times reports.

The water heater standards take effect in 2015 while manufacturers must meet new standards for pool heaters and direct heating equipment in 2013.

The new standards would require the use of heat pump electric water heaters and condensing gas water heaters, according to energy efficiency experts. A trade group,
Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, says the new technology is too expensive and not ready for prime time.

Anyway, here's the New York Times story and a link to the SJVCEO Facebook page.

Existing water heater photo by CPSC.

The ultimate clean energy

Ambient vibrations - a byproduct of everyday life - could be a source of energy.

In fascinating research, folks at University of Michigan have built prototypes to convert the ambient vibrations into enough energy to power wrist watches, pacemakers, etc. Read all about it here.

Biofuel-powered jets?

Maybe that jet I flew home on yesterday will someday be powered by biofuel. Wouldn't that be something.

Several companies are working on biomass-to-liquid technology. The main drawback appears to be cost higher cost, but some airlines have flown flights using hydroprocessing of animal fats, plant and waste grease.

Virgin Atlantic became the first commercial airline to oversee a flight partly powered by biofuels, it used a 25% blend of biofuels in one of its engines that included hydroprocessed coconut oil and babassu oil.

In the last year, KLM, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Continental Airlines, and Japan Airlines have also completed flights using biofuels like jatropha, algae, and camelina. Check out this report from Greentech Media.

Maybe it's a precursor of what's to come.