Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 22:16:36 -0800
From: Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <BruceDP@...>
Subject: AELN(NZ potential: 1st all RE electricity country, develop Wind
power)

AELN(NZ potential: 1st all RE electricity country, develop Wind power)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
RW - Evening Standard (EVNS) NEWS NZ seen as major wind power player
SAUNDERS, John 03/25/99 (Copyright 1999)

NEW ZEALAND has the potential to be a major international player in
wind energy, with 'amazing" wind-run figures and much of the required
turbine blade expertise already established through the manufacture of
'Black Magic" fibreglass hulls, says a leading European wind-power
lobbyist.

Christophe Bourillon, chief executive of the London-based European
Wind Energy Association, was a keynote speaker yesterday at the annual
Wind Energy Association conference in Palmerston North.

He said about 70 percent of New Zealand's energy already came from
renewable hydro; if wind was further developed, this could be the
first country to have all of it's electricity coming from sustainable
sources.

'Imagine what that could do for tourism, for exporting the technology
  . . ."
Wind power was developing in Europe in quantum leaps. About 8000
megawatts of generation capacity would be installed by next year, and
100,000mW by 2020 (Tararua wind farm, the largest in the southern
hemisphere, produced 31.7mW).

Costs had fallen by 30 percent over the past six years, due mostly to
new technologies. Wind was now competing directly with coal and
nuclear sources. Each megawatt installed created 19 jobs. Wind power
was now the second biggest export industry of Denmark.

Mr Bourillon said that although the technology and pricing had come of
age, the biggest problem was in convincing politicians wind power had
arrived -- 'their attention spans are so short".

Energy sector deregulation was occurring, but negative perceptions,
based on old technologies and prices, continued. Noise problems had
been overcome, but pressure from environmentalists remained.

Mr Bourillon said the European Union was aiming to reduce CO2
emissions from power generation by 11 percent by 2030, which would be
a major boost for renewables.

Although wind would soon rival coal-fired plants in terms of total
output, the coal-mining industry was fighting a rear-guard action,
particularly in Germany. Access to national grids was also an issue.
  ...
  http://www.pncc.govt.nz/comps/evenin.htm
Evening Standard
  ---
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Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 21:31:39 -0800
From: Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <BruceDP@...>
Organization: EV List Editor, contributing RE Editor
Subject: AELN(Japanese Center Tests Ocean Wave Power Generation Capability)

AELN(Japanese Center Tests Ocean Wave Power Generation Capability)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
OCEAN - Solar & Renewable Energy Outlook (INSE) Japanese Center Tests
Potential Power Generation Capability of Ocean Waves.  03/01/99
Copyright 1999 Information Access Company. All rights reserved.

A giant yellow floating testing ground off the coast of Japan is
ground zero for research into whether the rhythmic ebb-and-flow of
ocean waves can be used to generate electricity.

The Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) has been
running the experiment since December in Gokasho Bay, near the city of
Nansei. The coastline in that part of the island nation is jagged,
which easily lends itself to wave-generated power.

The design features a giant floating box incorporating an air chamber
attached to a turbine. As the waves crash in, they force air out of
the chamber and drive the turbine.

The test plant produces only 110kW of electricity, and would have
little use as a major source of power generation. Instead, it is
envisioned that similar designs could be used to power remote
lighthouses or islands.

Norway and the United Kingdom, which also have extensive areas of
jagged coastline, also are testing similar wave-capturing systems for
electricity generation. For more information, see JAMSTEC on the
Internet at http://www.jamstec. go.jp.

NEW FACILITIES-Denmark's Vestas Wind Systems said it is negotiating
the establishment of new production facilities in the harbor town of
Nakskov. The new facility will allow Vestas to produce larger
turbines, capable of several megawatts of generation. The Nakskov
plant would manufacture the larger blades needed to drive such
turbines. For more information, contact Vestas' Johannes Poulsen,
(+45) 96 75 25 75.
[...]
RECORD QUARTER-Solar equipment supplier Astropower Inc., Newark, Del.,
reported record fourth quarter earnings in 1998, fueled by two DOE
contracts to develop advanced solar cell products. For the full year,
Astropower reported sales of $20.2 million, an increase of 54 percent
from 1997. For details, contact Astropower, (302) 366-0400.
  ...
  http://www.informationaccess.com/   webmaster@...
Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 23:02:28 -0800
From: Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <BruceDP@...>
Organization: EV List Editor, contributing RE Editor
Subject: AELN(Scottish sea power, wave power in Britain)

AELN(Scottish sea power, wave power in Britain)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
OCEAN - The Engineer (ENGN) Subsidy for Scottish sea power 03/05/99
(Copyright 1999)

The Government has agreed to subsidise the commercial development of
wave power for the first time.

Three projects to generate electricity from the sea are among the 53
announced by Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar last week in the third
order of the Scottish Renewables Obligation.

The three projects will produce electricity at 5.9p to 7p per kilowatt
hour, compared with 1.89p for the lowest-cost wind project chosen in
the order.

The Government had previously maintained that wave power was too
expensive. But Dewar said the bid prices were lower than expected and
he was 'keen to help the technology gain a foothold in Scotland'.

The Government will publish the full list of projects once they have
signed contracts with Scotland's two power distributors.
  ===

OCEAN - The Times of London (TLND) Home News Tide turns in favour of
wave power Nick Nuttall 02/26/99 (Copyright Times Newspapers Ltd,
1999)

Nick Nuttall reports on new plans to get electricity from the sea as
costs fall

MACHINES named Whiplash and Limpet are to pioneer the commercial
development of wave power in Britain. Nearly a decade after the
Government withdrew support for wave schemes, the technology is to be
given renewed backing after studies showing that costs have more than
halved.

Lord McDonald, the Scottish Business and Industry Minister, said
yesterday that wave-power projects at Islay had support under a
special levy on electricity bills to encourage green schemes.

"This will open up new opportunities for a range of technologies," he
announced at a meeting at Aerpac, a wind turbine blade maker in
Glenrothes. The schemes in Scotland for wave power and a Pounds
42million wood-burning power plant have been approved along with a
string of wind-power projects. The approval guarantees a market and
premium price for generators of green power plants during the costly
start-up phase.

The cost of electricity generated from wave power is down to about 7p
a unit. From wind, it is now down to about 2p in some cases, making it
as competitive as gas.  Whiplash is the brainchild of Richard Yemm.

It is a tube of steel 100 metres long and 3.4 metres wide, with about
15 special joints. It is moored into the waves and snakes from side to
side and up and down. Pumps inside each segment force oil down a pipe
to a hydraulic motor. This in turn drives a generator with the
electricity fed via an undersea cable to shore.

Two Whiplash machines, able to generate 750 kilowatts, are to be
installed about a mile offshore at Machir Bay, Islay. Dr Yemm, 30,
said they would cost about Pounds 2.25 million over three years. He
added: "I am delighted. This is a very important start for wave power.
We are now starting to get the same support as wind power."

There was no reason why the technology could not be deployed
elsewhere, he said. Studies by the European Commission indicated that
Britain could generate all its electricity from the waves if 0.1 per
cent of the wave energy around the coast was collected.


The Limpet wave-power machine is the work of Wavegen, formerly called
Advanced Research Technologies, of Inverness. For the company, Allan
Thompson said that its machine would also be off Islay.Waves smashing
into a gulley on the island push air to spin a turbine. The turbine
spins the opposite way as the waves subside and air is sucked back
down. The machine is an improved version of an experimental station
built by Queen's University, Belfast. Mr Thomson urged the Government
to back wave power south of the border as well.

The new contracts were awarded under the Scottish Renewables
Obligation, which means that households pay a subsidy towards higher
costs of green power to safeguard the environment by reducing
greenhouse gases. A similar levy, the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation,
operates in England and Wales. The next round of this will promote the
country's first offshore wind schemes.

Mr Thomson said that wave power should be promoted with wind so that
the same section of sea can produce far more electricity at a cut
price: "You could have wind turbines sitting on top of wave
machines."

Details of a third wave machine are being kept confidential until the
developers have been told. Lord McDonald also announced plans for
Britain's biggest wood-into-power scheme to be built at Morayhill,
next door to a timber mill near Inverness.

The 12.9 megawatt power plant is big enough to heat and light about
12,000 homes and will burn wood wastes. It is about two megawatts
bigger than one undergoing construction in Yorkshire.
  ...
  http://www.the-times.co.uk/  webmaster@...
Copyright 1998, The Times of London. All rights reserved.
LONDON WEEKLY TIMES & MAIL NEWSPAPER GROUP
134-136 BROADWAY, LONDON W13 OTL
Tel: 0171 381 6262 Fax: 0181 566 1201/5525
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Funds Available for Photovoltaic Installations in New York State

      Albany, NY -- The New York State Energy Research and Development
      Authority (NYSERDA) has $1 million available to support programs that
      expand the use of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) technology to power
      New York State residences.  The goal of this program is to stimulate
      the PV market by installing high-quality, well designed, reliable,
      grid-connected photovoltaic systems at residences in the State.

      NYSERDA expects multiple awards with a maximum award per project of
      $500,000.  NYSERDA will pay no more than 50% of the PV installation
      cost for any proposed project.  Proposals are due by June 28, 1999.
      Proposers are encouraged to submit an optional pre-proposal for review
      and comment.  This pre-proposal is due by April 28, 1999.

      NYSERDA is seeking to demonstrate that PV systems can be connected to
      the utility power grid and provide safe, reliable energy while gaining
      experience and documenting the cost of installing and operating PV
      systems in the residential sector.  Proposed projects
      should seek to install as many high-quality, grid-connected PV systems
      at New York residences as the funding will allow.

      Information about this program is available on NYSERDA's web site
      (www.nyserda.org); look for PON 448-98 under the "opportunities"
      section.  To request a copy of PON 448-98, contact Jane Powers by fax
      at (518) 862-1091, or by e-mail at jap@....  Proposers are
      urged to contact Jeff Peterson at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3288, or by
      e-mail at jmp@..., before preparing a proposal or
      pre-proposal.



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[1]                                EV WORLD UPDATE
                                     http://evworld.com
                                  Week of  21 March 1999

WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK ON EV WORLD...
Preview 2000 - NECAR 4
Solarhouse.Com
Venturer Fuel Cell Car
Toria Connector 2001 Solar-Hybrid Car
The Real Meaning of NECAR 4


++++++++++++++++ ELECTRIC BICYCLE SHOP ONLINE  ++++++++++++++++++++
Take your pick!  Move to California and lease an EV for $450 a month for the
next 36 months or stay where you are and buy one for under $1000 at the
Electric Bicycle Shop!  Check It Out @ http://evworld.com/electricshop/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


PREVIEW 2000 - NECAR 4
Last week marked the debut of DaimlerChrysler's New Energy Car 4... the
fourth generation of the DBB fuel cell propulsion system.  This week we
only give you a peak at this promising new technology.  If all goes well, I
hope to have a more in depth report on the car,  provided my contacts at DC
can arrange the interview for me.  Be sure to also see my comments below
about DaimlerChrysler's announcement.

SOLARHOUSE.COM
If you've seen the recent issue of Time, you may have seen the Hero's of
the Planet story on Steve Strong, the architect who built Bill and Deborah
Lord's solar home in Kennebunkport, Maine.  Besides getting most of the
facts wrong about the Lord's home, the Time article didn't say that Bill
just bought himself a ZAP Electrocycle which he plans to use to run errands
to town and to pick up fresh lobsters down at the harbor 3 miles away (some
guys have all the luck!).   It turns out Bill is not only a faithful reader
of EV World, but he also happens to be a dedicated environmentalist and
former ABC News producer.   You'll want to read and/or listen to our
interview conducted from his beautiful solar-powered home overlooking the
Atlantic Ocean.

VENTURER FUEL CELL CAR
DaimlerChrysler ain't the only folks working on fuel cells... so is the New
Jersey Department of Transportation.  Under the leadership of Mike Strizki,
the Office of Technology and a cast of "thousands" are readying an
experimental fuel cell car to compete in the upcoming North American Tour
del Sol.

NOTE:  THIS INTERVIEW WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OR AFTER WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24TH.

TORIA CONNECTOR 2001 SOLAR-HYBRID CAR
Børge Christensen reports from Denmark on Toria's fascinating solar-hybrid
car which utilizes a combination of photovoltaic cells mounted on the
vehicle and a 2 cylinder engine that runs on plant oil.


+++++++++++++++++++++ SPONSORS MESSAGE +++++++++++++++++++++
EV World is hosted through the generous support of Information Analytics.
If you need affordable web hosting services, programming and more, be
sure to include them in your development plans. http://www.4w.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE MEANING OF NECAR 4
After reading DaimlerChrysler's press releases about the NECAR 4, I was
struck by the fact that as encouraging as the vehicle is to those of us who
want to see cleaner, more efficient technology continue to advance, the
reality is fuel cells in cars, trucks and buses still have a long way to
go. The DBB system in the NECAR 4 costs an estimated $30,000 alone and adds
1,100 pounds to the weight of the A-Class Mercedes test bed.  There are
even some who question whether or not the NECAR was actually running on its
fuel cell or off its batteries during those much publicized TV news clips.

For my part, however, the real meaning of the NECAR 4 was its PR value, not
just for DaimlerChrysler but for the EV movement, in general.  I had all
kinds of people last week tell me they'd seen or read about the NECAR 4.
They knew my interest in EVs and wondered if I'd heard about it, one going
so far as to hand me a copy of the original AP news service story ripped
fresh of the wire.  More than anything else, NECAR 4 has raised public
awareness of not only what DC is doing, but what is happening in the
automotive industry in general.

Fuel cell-powered vehicles offer great promise, as do fuel cell-powered
cell phones, computers and even homes and businesses.  The world's largest
fuel cell installation is being built right here in Omaha.  The twin 750kW
fuel cells will provide First National Bank of Omaha with power reliability
that not even our local public utility can match.  I suspect that we'll see
fuel cells as backup generators become available yet this year and as
primary power sources in stationary applications years before we see them
as options in Cadillacs and Camries.

As Bill Lord told me in our interview, the NECAR 4 is wonderful technology,
but it is "down-the-road" technology and we can't afford to wait for
"down-the-road" solutions.  We need, as individuals, to begin implementing
ways we can personally make a difference today.  For Bill Lord that's a
$300,000 solar home that generates more electricity than its uses and a ZAP
Electricycle which he someday hopes to supplement with a Ford Th!nk EV
(John Wallace are you listening?).  For others of us that might be an EV 1
lease, a VW conversion or an electric bicycle.  These are
"just-up-the-road" solutions that the wild bunch depicted in the Wired
magazine article "Suck Amps" have proven work and work well.   The more of
us that can follow their examples, the closer we'll be to that world we all
hope is just around the next corner.

Thanks to the folks at DaimlerChrysler... and all the EV visionaries who
are pushing our transportation technology frontiers.


Until next time..... stay plugged into EV World.

Best wishes,

Bill Moore
Editor in Chief




























                      EV WORLD -- http://evworld.com
        ------------------------------------------------------------
           Advanced Vehicle Technology News, Interview & Previews
                  Published Weekly By Digital Revolution
                               [402] 339 9877



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Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 16:51:33 -0500
From: Bill Eggertson <eggertson@...>
Organization: Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
Subject: TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES,   issue #72  for March 22


TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES
         issue #72  for March 22

A 'heads up' overview of renewable energies.

Forward TRENDS to colleagues; subscription is free.
Archives posted at  http://www.renewables.ca.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IN THIS ISSUE:

Brewery Drinks Up Wind Energy
U-K to Introduce Carbon Tax by 2001
DoE Predicts Slow Turnaround for Renewables
U-S Renewables Group Disputes DoE's Negativity
First Green Power Audit Released in Australia
Canada's Solar Test Facility Signs New Contract
India Wants More Hydro Power
Siemens Sells New Solar CIS Modules
New Turbine to be Ready by September
U-S Deregulation Plan Due Before the End of March
More Green-e Certification for California Offering
Green Power to Avoid Misleading Ads
Merger of Two Renewables Companies in the U-S
Massachusetts Coop Provides Green Power
Green Pricing Program Launched in Nebraska
GSA Wants Green Power for EPA Facility
Solar Leader Predicts Good Future for PV
Australia is Addressing the Greenhouse Challenge
World Bank to Post Data on Global Power Market
New Charging Station Powers EVs with Green Energy
Government Promotes Renewables in Scotland
Green Mountain Energy Improves Wind Product
Changes Urged for U-K Agencies for Renewables
Denmark Cuts Funding for Wind Power
Solar Demo Program Wraps Up in Ramallah
California Firm Buys Green Power For Own Operations
Colorado Ski Town Offers Rebate for Solar Power
Barriers to Financing Renewable Energy Policies
Parks Like Renewables for Environmental Reasons
Parks Like Renewables for Environmental Reasons
U-S Internet Site Shows State Incentives for Renewables
U-S Pledges Help for African Renewable Energies
Renewables Highlighted in New Jersey Legislation
Kampala Seeks New Power Customers
Reducing Energy
No Trend Yet on Green Power Prices
New Customers Illustrate the Appeal of Wind Power
New Courses Trains Electricians for Solar Roof Program
Solar Project Gives Power to Remote African Village
Controversial Dam Attracts More Criticism
Home Energy Rating System Published
Canada Continues Pilots in GHG Reductions
Energy Tidbits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



Brewery Drinks Up Wind Energy
The largest private consumer of wind power in the U-S is New
Belgium Brewing of Colorado.  The specialty brewer will purchase
wind electricity from the utility in Fort Collins, which is installing a

660 kW turbine at the Platte River site in Wyoming.  The turbine
will produce 1.8 million kWh at a premium price for ten years.
The purchase was made in a unanimous vote of 70 employees,
knowing that their bonuses will drop.  The turbine will displace
1,000 tons of coal and eliminate four million pounds of CO2
emissions.  New Belgium wanted to recover the CO2 that occurs
in fermentation, but found that the CO2 created from electricity
generation was four times higher than the amount that could be
recovered from fermentation.  Fort Collins was the first utility in
the state to offer wind energy, and two turbines have operated at
Medicine Bow for a year.  The Vestas-American Wind turbine can
operate at 28 rpm in wind speeds between 9 and 56 mph.
Details:  http://www.newbelgium.com

--

U-K to Introduce Carbon Tax by 2001
Britain may introduce a climate change levy on business energy
consumption, which will be invested in renewable energy and
energy efficiency projects.  Finance minister Gordon Brown may
raise 1.75 billion pounds through a surcharge of 0.2 pence per
kWh for coal and gas, and 0.6 pence for electricity consumption,
while displacing 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

--

DoE Predicts Slow Turnaround for Renewables
In its March outlook on short-term energy, the U-S EIA predicts
that renewable energy use in the U-S will drop by 2.5% from
1998-99 (6,773 quadrillion btu to 6,605) but will rise 0.2% going
into 2000 (to 6,621).  The major drop is by electric utilities, which
decreased use by 9.3% from 97-98, and 6.7% from 98-99.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/11tab.html

A DoE analysis on Renewable Energy Issues is posted on the
internet, the first of biannual analyses on renewable energy
issues.  Feature articles include an analysis of earth energy heat
pump data; the history and recent developments in renewable
electricity purchases; and transmission pricing issues for
electricity generation from renewable sources.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelrenewable.html

--

U-S Renewables Group Disputes DoE's Negativity
SUN DAY Campaign has attacked the #2 official DoE official
(assistant secretary Dan Reicher) for his public comments that
renewable energy will not play a significant role in meeting U-S
goals for emission reductions.  The coalition of 750 groups says
that 10% of U-S energy production comes from renewables (the
same level as nuclear) and new non-hydro renewable generation
could exceed 25,000 MW by 2010.  Half of the U-S renewables
comes from solar, geothermal, wind and biomass, compared with
nil only 20 years ago.  DoE has set a renewables target of 25,000
MW by 2010, and a goal of 7.5% renewables is expected to be
included in federal restructuring legislation.  The target should be
10% from renewables, says SUN DAY, so renewables would
provide 20% of U-S electricity in a decade.  Both the 7.5% and
10% goals could be exceeded if Washington were to purchase
more of its own electricity from renewables, and it says 25,000
MW is equivalent to 100 coal plants without carbon emissions.

--

First Green Power Audit Released in Australia
The Green Power accreditation program of the Sustainable
Energy Development Authority was established in 1997 to
oversee creation of a renewables market in Australia, and to
encourage new generation.  An annual audit of 18 retailers with
an accredited green product is conducted to ensure that revenue
is used to purchase green energy and construct new renewables
generation, and to ensure that sufficient green power is available
to meet demand; that the source of generation is approved solar,
wind, biomass or hydro; and that retailers are not spending
unnecessarily on administrative overheads and marketing.  By
the end of 1999, new renewable generation must comprise 60%
of electricity sold by accredited green retailers in New South
Wales.  During the past year, more than au$120 million of new
renewable energy projects were commissioned or announced.
Details:  http://www.seda.nsw.gov.au/renewable/index.htm

--

Canada's Solar Test Facility Signs New Contract
Natural Resources Canada will pay Ortech more than $740,000
to operate the National Solar Test Facility in 1999.  The federal
government owns the Vortek solar simulator lamp, solar simulator
environmental chamber, solar collector test drivers, SDHW test
system and fenestration calorimeter apparatus; Ortech owns the
building and its predecessor operated the facility in the past. The
contract will include an option to extend the work until 2002.

--

India Wants More Hydro Power
The Indian government is promoting development of small hydro
to exploit the country's potential of 10,000 MW.  The Ministry of
Non-conventional Energy Sources will provide capital grants for
projects under 100 kW in mountainous and remote regions.
National generation capacity exceeds 92,000 MW, of which hydro
is 24%, thermal (coal + gas) provides 72%, and nuclear is 2.4%.
This year, 545 MW of hydro capacity will be added, and 2,755
MW of thermal.  India will work with Vietnam to develop nuclear,
with a goal of increasing that capacity to 6,660 MW by 2002.

--

Siemens Sells New Solar CIS Modules
Siemens Solar has started selling 20 W and 38 W CIS solar
modules, which increase the power range of thin-film modules.
Production of Copper Indium DiSelenide units started last year,
with 10 W modules designed for low-power battery-charging
systems, such as emergency phones.  The larger units are
designed for grid connection and are designed to compete with
crystalline.  CIS promises high efficiency and stability, and has
been tested for eight years by the National Renewable Energy
Lab.  Siemens has supplied 150 MW around the world.
Details:  http://www.siemenssolar.com

--

New Turbine to be Ready by September
The Wind Turbine Company will install a turbine this September
at DoE's National Wind Technology Center near Denver, as part
of its $22 million contract to develop utility-scale units that can
produce very low cost wind electricity.  Production of commercial
machines will start next year, and will begin development of small
power projects using its turbines.

--

U-S Deregulation Plan is Due Before the End of March
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson says legislation to restructure
the $215 billion U-S electricity market will be released soon, but
will not explain plans for energy-saving technologies.  Congress
has started hearings on the matter, and Elizabeth Moler (former
senior DoE official) called for a market-oriented approach to
renewables.  A final law is expected before the end of 2000.

--

More Green-e Certification for California Offering
Commonwealth Energy has been certified for its GreenSmart
product under the Green-e Renewable Electricity Program,
becoming the 16th product in California to be certified.  The label
certifies that at least 50% of supply comes from eligible wind,
solar, geothermal, biomass or small hydro.  Non-renewables in
the blend must result in less air pollution than traditional power
mix, and no electricity can come from nuclear reactors.  Suppliers
must abide by a code of conduct for the treatment of customers,
including a regular review of marketing material to detect
fraudulent claims and an annual audit to prove that it purchased
sufficient renewables to meet marketing claims. First launched in
California in 1997, certification is available in Pennsylvania (four
Green-e products) and soon in New England.
Details: http://www.green-e.org

--

Green Power to Avoid Misleading Ads
The U-S Association of Attorneys General wants 'anti-deception
guidelines' to be used by law enforcement agencies if there are
claims that environmental marketing is made in a deceptive
manner.  A drafting committee is considering an appropriate
minimum meaning of 'green power,' whether biomass should be
excluded from renewables, and other issues related to the use of
tradable energy tags.
Details:  http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/naag_399_pr.html

--

Merger of Two Renewables Companies in the U-S
Applied Power of Washington has purchased Alternative Energy
Engineering, a distributor of solar and wind products.  Applied
Power recently purchased Solar Electric Specialties and
Ascension Technology, in its strategy to become a leading
company in the renewables industry.  A subsidiary of Idaho
Power, it supplies photovoltaic systems.
Details:  http://www.appliedpower.com

--

Massachusetts Coop Provides Green Power
The Boston Oil Consumers Alliance is purchasing green power
through a co-operative from AllEnergy at a 25% discount. The
power comes from the ReGen 'upgrade' service, which generates
electricity from landfill gas and PV.  Co-op members can buy
2,000 kWh annual blocks of green power for $6 a month, a
premium of 3.6¢/kWh. After only two months, nearly 2% of its
6,000 members have signed up for the renewables option.

--

Green Pricing Program Launched in Nebraska
Nebraska Public Power District will offer a voluntary program for
customers to contribute to a utility fund for new renewable energy
sources.  Participation involves a minimum contribution of $6 per
month, and business participation is encouraged. Based on
similar green energy programs elsewhere, NPPD projects that as
many as 11,500 consumers may purchase its "Prairie Power".

--

GSA Wants Green Power for EPA Facility
The U-S General Services Administration wants to buy renewable
electricity for the Environmental Protection Agency Laboratory in
California. The power must be Green-e certified from biomass,
solar thermal, PV, wind, geothermal, small hydro (less than 30
MW), digester gas or landfill gas. If there is a tie among bids,
GSA will give priority to generation facilities that have started
since September 1996. GSA wants power delivery to start in May,
under a renewable 36-month contract.
Details:  http://www.gsa.gov/pbs/xu/co1.htm

--

Solar Leader Predicts Good Future for PV
The world market for photovoltaics will reach 1,000 MW by 2010
and 5 million MW by 2050, according to the president of BP
Solar.  Peter Beadle, writing in 'World Energy' magazine,
concedes that solar power "is not economically competitive in
every situation," and the goal of making PV competitive in utility
applications by 1988 remains elusive with costs still at 30 c/KWh.
More than 125 MW were installed by 1998 (an average growth
rate of 20% per year) while prices have dropped from $50/Wp
(1976) to $5/Wp now.  The Japanese government is investing
$250 million a year to increase manufacturing capacity from 40
MW (1997) to 190 MW (2000) and national programs are being
launched in Europe, driven by energy independence and
environment.  These programs, combined with environmental
pressures such as climate change, "can only accelerate growth"
of the PV industry, and he says BP Solar will become a $1 billion
company within a decade.  Royal Dutch Shell estimates that
renewables may contribute 50% of global electricity by the middle
of the century, and it wants 10% of that market.
Details:   http://www.worldenergysource.com/v2n1.html

--

Australia is Addressing the Greenhouse Challenge
EnergyAustralia will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more
than 600,000 tonnes per year by 2000, under the Greenhouse
Challenge Agreement with the federal government.  Its 'Pure
Energy' renewable energy portfolio includes photovoltaic, wind,
hydro and landfill gas generators, which is expected to reduce
CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes by 2000.  R+D will focus on
grid connection of solar stations, high efficiency blades for small
wind turbines, and supporting the Australian Centre for
Renewable Energy.  EnergyAustralia has more grid-connected
solar power than any other energy services company, including
three of the country's largest rooftop solar arrays (Homebush - 11
kW, Redfern - 10 kW, Newcastle Foreshore - 7 kW), the largest
solar farm in the southern hemisphere at Singleton (400 kWp)
and Australia's largest single wind turbine (Kooragang - 600 kW).
Details:  http://www.energy.com.au/environment/body_frame.html

--

World Bank to Post Data on Global Power Market
The World Bank and Cambridge Energy Research will launch an
online service this summer to provide information on energy
investments in emerging markets.  The World Bank will promote
"economically competitive and environmentally sound energy" in
electric power, and will release data on power tariffs and other
areas where it has current information from its reporting scheme.
Opening the electricity sector to private investment is essential in
developing nations, and private energy investment has reached
$156 billion since 1990.

--

New Charging Station Powers EVs with Green Energy
General Motors and Green Mountain Energy have unveiled a
'green-powered' charging station in California that will provide
fuel for electric cars in San Francisco.  The Union of Concerned
Scientists has located the new station on its downtown parking
lot.  A GM EV1 will increase customer acceptance of electric
vehicles by demonstrating the ease of owning an EV.

--

Government Promotes Renewables in Scotland
Power suppliers in Scotland must buy more green electricity as a
result of a government directive under the third Scottish
Renewables Order.  Contracts for 53 renewable energy projects,
generating 150 MW of green electricity, will supply power to
ScottishPower and Scottish + Southern Energy.  The cost
premium will be financed through a Fossil Fuel Levy paid by all
electricity suppliers from consumer bills.  In a commitment to
increase renewables as a method to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, the Scottish government has included wave power in
addition to new wind and hydro projects.  The SRO is 25% higher
for renewable energies than recommended.  Environmentalists
say the 20-year contracts total 150 MW, compared to 1,000 MW
capacity of conventional fossil fuel stations.

--

Green Mountain Energy Improves Wind Product
GME's 'Wind for the Future' option for California consumers
generates 25% of electricity from new wind turbines (the original
product was 10%), with the remainder from small-scale hydro,
biomass, geothermal and landfill gas.  The California office of the
Union of Concerned Scientists is its first signed customer.
Details: http://www.greenmountain.com

--

Changes Urged for U-K Agencies for Renewables
The British Green Alliance says Westminster should improve its
promotion of renewables by simplifying the agencies which are
responsible.  The Department of Energy was eliminated in 1992,
transferring responsibility to the departments of Trade + Industry
and the Environment, plus partial responsibility with other
departments and numerous research groups.  The Alliance wants
consolidation under a separate Sustainable Energy Agency, and
to reduce the policy emphasis on oil, gas, nuclear and coal.
Such a sustainable energy agency would improve coordination
and boost political efforts to promote renewables.  Under the
Kyoto protocol, Britain must cut greenhouse gas emissions by
12.5%, and has promised to cut emissions by 20%.

--

Denmark Cuts Funding for Wind Power
The Danish government will reduce funding for wind and other
renewables, increase taxes on utilities, and impose fees on grid
operators.  Revenue will increase by 1.3 billion crowns this year,
and by two billion crowns each year with the introduction of
concession fees on grid companies, the reduction of state
funding and the taxing of companies.  The government wants
complete market liberalization this year, but is willing to consider
a gradual transition.  It also wants CO2 quotas by 2003.

--

Solar Demo Program Wraps Up in Ramallah
For the past year, four research organizations have worked with
Friends of the Earth Middle East, to study the feasibility of four
isolated sites supplied with PV energy for domestic needs and
water pumping.  A wrap-up symposium suggested that the sites in
Palestine, Israeli, Jordan and Egypt could create a 'solar bridge
for peace building.'  A report says the "lack of political will" by all
local governments to develop renewable energy was evident, and
the project now must get funding to build the demo sites.
Details: http://www.foeme.org

--

California Firm Buys Green Power For Own Operations
SeaWest in San Diego will buy renewable energy from Green
Mountain Energy, as well as for its operations in the Tehachapi,
Altamont and San Gorgonio wind areas.  SeaWest is an original
wind developer, and has challenged other generators to buy
green power for their own needs and to build the market for
renewable energies.  Company executives purchase green power
for their personal use, and have encouraged their employees to
do likewise.  The company's total consumption of green power is
500,000 kWh per year.  GMER's 'Wind For the Future' option
includes electricity generated by SeaWest turbines.  Since 1982,
the firm has developed 400 MW of wind projects in the U-S, U-K
and Spain.  It does not manufacture turbines, but has developed
20% of wind capacity in California, and is constructing three
windfarms in Wyoming and two in Palm Springs.  Enron Wind
and FPL Energy also purchase green energy for their operations.

--

Colorado Ski Town Offers Rebate for Solar Power
The town of Aspen gives homeowners a two-year rebate of up to
$3,000 if they generate solar electricity.  Initial program funding of
$60,000 has come from the Ted Turner Foundation and the local
utility.  Residents receive 25 c/kWh, and 40 homes are expected
to participate.  An electric cooperative will buy excess electricity.

--

Barriers to Financing Renewable Energy Policies
The head of the U-S Association for Renewable Energy + Energy
Efficiency Development (USAFREED) says financing innovations
must keep pace with advances in renewable energy, which are
disadvantaged by high-subsidy conventional sources.  Although
the risks of renewables have been dispelled, Joel Stronberg says
investors still avoid small entrepreneurs in the sector.  Business
and government must structure market investment opportunities
so consumers can understand the advantages of green power,
and encourage energy-switching opportunities which increase the
attractiveness of renewables.  Renewables can reduce prices
under utility restructuring, if public and private programs can be
blended.
Details:  http://www.epa.gov/
               /globalwarming/greenhouse/barriers.html

--

Parks Like Renewables for Environmental Reasons
The U-S National Park Service and Utah Office of Energy are
promoting renewable energy technologies in high-profile remote
parks that are not grid-connected.  At a marina on Lake Powell,
electricity cost 42 c/kWh because fuel came by barge and there
was risk of diesel spills, and a PV system now supplies power for
32 c/kWh.  Photovoltaics have been installed at seven of 13
national parks in Utah, displacing 1,300 tons of CO2 a year and
saving $137,000 in fuel and maintenance.
Details:   http://www.epa.gov/
                  /globalwarming/greenhouse/transforming.html

--

U-S Internet Site Shows State Incentives for Renewables
In 1995, the DoE launched the Database of State Incentives for
Renewable Energy (DSIRE) through the Interstate Renewable
Energy Council.  The 50 states list their financial and regulatory
incentives to promote renewable energies, to allow replication in
other jurisdictions.  Incentives are identified by end-use sector,
technology and incentive type, with data on users.
Details:  http://www-solar.mck.ncsu.edu/dsire.htm

--

U-S Pledges Help for African Renewable Energies
Renewable energies offer opportunities to African entrepreneurs,
and U-S energy secretary Bill Richardson has pledged to help the
continent develop sustainable sources.  During the next 20 years,
the world will need$30 trillion to finance energy projects to meet
energy demand, and he says many African governments are
investing in R+D for hydro, wind, and solar, as well as nuclear
and combustion.  The DoE is helping Ghana in solar projects,
and geothermal in Uganda.

--

Renewables Highlighted in New Jersey Legislation
New Jersey has approved energy deregulation with a charge on
all customers to cover demand-side management programs
(including renewable energy).  Competitive suppliers must
provide renewable electricity from solar, PV, wind, fuel cells,
geothermal, tidal, methane gas, biomass (class I) or solid waste
and hydro (class II).  They must offer net metering for wind or PV
systems in residential and commercial sites at non-discriminatory
rates, with payments based on wholesale rates.

--

Kampala Seeks New Power Customers
Uganda predicts excess hydraulic capacity by 2003, when a 250
MW and a 200 MW plant are completed.  Power will be exported
to Tanzania and Rwanda; the former has agreed to develop
transmission lines to northern mining regions and the latter will
buy 30 MW of power.  The new power will sell for 5.5 cents.

--

Reducing Energy
Greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii will increase 43% by 2020
because it imports oil for 90% of its power.  It is increasing its use
of wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and municipal waste (currently
8% of electricity, avoiding 800,000 tons of CO2 emissions), and
will tighten energy codes to cut another 840,000 tons by 2010.
Details:  http://www.epa.gov/
                  /globalwarming/greenhouse/energetically.html

--

No Trend Yet on Green Power Prices
Renewable energy in California is marketed through the APX
Green Power Market, where renewable producers are matched
with providers that want green power.  Renewable producers
must be certified with the Energy Commission, and generate
wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and hydro (< 30
MW).  The system operates up to a week in advance of delivery,
so renewable generators can plan production for premium times.
Details:  http://www.apx.com/
                       /html/green_power_valuation_update.asp

--

New Customers Illustrate the Appeal of Wind Power
The American Wind Energy Association says recent purchases pf
wind power illustrate the source's appeal.  New Belgium Brewing
in Colorado will become the largest private consumer of wind
energy in the U-S, All Souls Episcopal Church in California voted
unanimously to purchase wind energy, and the Students' Coop in
Berkeley will buy renewable electricity.  As utilities seek ways to
differentiate their product, green power is looking more "like an
obvious winner," say AWEA officials.  More than 20 utilities and
marketers offer green power from wind turbines.
Details:  http://www.igc.apc.org/awea/news/wpa9.html

--

New Courses Trains Electricians for Solar Roof Program
The Santa Clara County Electrical Training Center has graduated
the first 24 electricians from a course that is designed to meet
President Clinton's goal of one million solar roofs by 2010.  Last
December, a US-Canadian partnership agreed to train 26,000
electricians to install PV rooftops across the U-S.  At the recent
SCETC ceremony, a 4 kW PV array was commissioned; the
second in a series of installations at California union facilities this
year.  In 1996, IBEW and NECA were encouraged to train their
union members in PV technology, or risk being outdated.

--

Solar Project Gives Power to Remote African Village
Siemens Solar has launched the first turnkey solar village in
South Africa at Folovhodwe, where more than 600 homes,
schools and businesses will receive electricity.  Eleven other
communities will receive PV installations under a program
co-sponsored by the Bavarian government in Germany.

--

Controversial Dam Attracts More Criticism
Public support for the Three Gorges Dam in China is eroding,
according to media reports, as millions of residents are moved.
The $29 billion dam on the Yangtze River is the world's largest
hydro project that, when completed in 2009, will create a 600 km
reservoir and force resettlement of more than 1.2 million people.

--

Home Energy Rating System Published
The U-S Association of State Energy Officials has adopted an
interim Home Energy Rating System Technical Guide, to produce
uniform home energy ratings and encourage the use of energy
mortgages.  Interested parties are invited to comment on the
interim guidelines, with final wording due by July.
Details: http://www.natresent.org

--

Canada Continues Pilots in GHG Reductions
The Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading Pilot (GERT)
has been testing emission reduction trading in Canada for almost
a year.  With six provincial governments, industry and labour
groups, the pilot will provide practical experience in emission
reduction trading and encourage investment in GHG reduction
activities.  In renewable energy, the federal government is buying
wind power from Calgary's utility, Enmax Power which, in turn,
buys electricity from VisionQuest's Alberta windfarms.  Powerex
wants to sell electricity from small hydro facilities in BC, and it
calculates the GHG offset will be 10,150 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Details:  http://gert.org

--

Energy Tidbits
- U-S energy secretary Bill Richardson says a revised bill on
electricity deregulation will be "significantly greener" and include
a higher target for the Renewable Portfolio Standard when it is
tabled in Congress this month.
-  A 1 MW solar roof is under construction in Germany, which will
generate 750 MWh of grid power.  The 10,000 m2 of collectors
will provide power to offices and 350 homes.
-  Portugal will introduce a tax to promote the generation of power
from renewable sources, and will set a quota that encourages
suppliers to purchase green power.  The level would allow
renewable generators to re-coup their investment.
-  Denmark will deregulate its energy sector and set a target of
20% from renewables by 2003.
-  Ten wind turbines will be installed 8 km off the shore of Dunkirk
in France.
-  The California city of Arcata will install up to 100 PV arrays on
residential roofs.  The city would buy units in bulk to reduce cost,
and a local bank has agreed to finance all the PV projects.
-  Germany wants to raise 8.4 billion DM with its energy tax based
on 'polluter-pay.'  The tax would be offset by lower corporate
fees, but tax renewable energies that are sold on the grid.
-  A town hall will be the first building in northern Greece to use
earth energy, where heat pumps will work off 21 wells of 80 m.
-  Keystone Energy Services has signed 6,000 EarthChoice
customers in California, exceeding its marketing projections.
-  Southern States Power has purchased a second oil extraction
plant to produce Bio-Diesel, pushing total production capacity to
14 million gallons per year (http://www.sspowerco.com).
- Trade officials from Moscow want to sell small floating nuclear
power plants to Indonesia, and Russian-made solar panels.
-  DaimlerChrysler's Necar 4 and Ford Motor's P2000 electric
cars will run on hydrogen fuel cells.  The Necar 4 can hit speeds
of 90 mph with a range of 280 miles, but uses liquid nitrogen for
fuel and will be replaced with the Necar X that uses methanol.
-  IDACORP has formed a subsidiary to spearhead the company's
research and marketing in photovoltaics and fuel cells.  "The use
of PV and renewable energy will grow rapidly during the next
decade and will be stimulated by issues like deregulation,
concerns over global climate change, increased energy demands
and the decreasing costs of technology," say officials.  "There is
a distinct possibility that federal legislation will mandate that
energy providers develop a percentage of their future power
resources from renewable energy; we see a great opportunity in
having a significant market presence in renewable energy."
-  Westinghouse and Mitsubishi will build reactors in China, from
900 to 1,300 MW in size.  Nuclear accounts for 1% of China's
total power, versus the world average of 17%.  China expects to
complete eight nuclear power plants by 2005, with capacity of 8.7
million kW.   By 2010, installed capacity will be 20 million kW,
and 40 million kW by 2020.
- Illicit use of power in Mexico costs three billion pesos a year for
the Central Electricity Board.  Many street vendors tap into street
lamps to power their appliances for free.
-  Shell and Bechtel Enterprises will work to pursue power
generation in North America, under the brand name InterGen
North America, to develop and finance large-scale independent
power projects and co-gen facilities in Canada and the U-S.
- Siemens will cut 1,800 jobs from its power unit over two years,
as it integrates with Westinghouse Power Generation.
- DoE anticipates that ethanol will become a leading fuel to
supply hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles.  Of the CO2 emissions in
the U-S, 30% comes from transportation.
-  A majority of Canada's Parliament (160 of 301) oppose a $1
billion loan to Romania, to construct a CANDU nuclear reactor.
- Brazil will build coal thermal plants to avoid burning imported
natural gas, with the goal of increasing coal electricity to 12%
from its current 2%.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Canadian Association for Renewable Energies.  A number of
news sources are used; CARE is not responsible for errors.

TRENDS is designed as a 'heads up' overview of renewable
energy in Canada and around the world.  Further details or
contact information are not available at this time.

Forward TRENDS to colleagues; subscription is free.
Back issues posted on  http://www.renewables.ca

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
      Bill Eggertson
           We CARE
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From: SUN DAY Campaign <kbossong@...>
To: "'Sustainable Energy Coalition: Weekly Update - List'"
	  <kbossong@...>
Subject: Sustainable Energy Coalition: "Weekly Update"
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 09:09:08 -0500


SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
"WEEKLY UPDATE"
March 21, 1999

The articles provided below were initially compiled during the past week by
the
SUN DAY Campaign (ph. 301-270-2258; fax: 301-891-2866) for the 36 member
organizations of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (list available upon
request).

Feel free to distribute this newsletter to others. In addition, please let
us know
of other U.S. organizations, businesses, or government agencies that would
like to be added to the e-mail list for this publication. This newsletter is
presently sent to over 750 organizations nationwide.

If you want any of the items we have offered to fax, please provide a
number for
a DEDICATED (i.e., one that will not be answered by a person), 24-hour FAX
line.


FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET

Pending Budget Resolution Threatens Discretionary Spending:

A 2-page, March 17 news release from Friends of the Earth condemns
proposals in the House and Senate Budget Committees to slash federal
spending on environmental protection, open-space protection, and community
livability. It notes that the House and Senate Budget Committees are
currently
considering budget legislation that would cut funding for the environment and
natural resources programs for next year from $23.9 billion to $21.9
billion.  The
Clinton- Gore Administration budget proposed to increase funding to $24.6
billion. Similarly, a 2-page March 5 release from the Coalition on Human
Needs
claims that complying with the budget caps would necessitate $45 billion in
program cuts from the $581 billion needed to maintain current discretionary
spending at inflation-adjusted levels; those cuts would be even worse for
most
programs if proposals for increased spending on defense and education
reportedly included in the GOP budget deal are put forward. Let us know if
you
would like us to fax you a copy of either release.


ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING

Senate Energy Committee Begins to Act on Restructuring:

The "Environment & Energy Update" (March 18) reports that Senate Energy
Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) plans to wait for the
Administration's utility restructuring bill before he takes any action on the
issue. The Administration's plan is expected to be submitted to Congress by
the end of the month. Murkowski's staff is continuing to talk with ranking
member Senator Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) office to try to develop bipartisan
legislation. Bingaman has said he opposes a stand-alone bill to repeal the
Public Utility Holding Company Act. Bingaman also notes that it would be
tough to get committee members to agree to a renewable energy set-aside.
Murkowski says he wants to encourage renewables but he does not believe
renewables can make a noticeable presence in the electricity market without
subsidies.


CLIMATE CHANGE

1.) State Legislature Resolutions Oppose Kyoto Protocol:

The National Environmental Trust has prepared a 4-page paper summarizing
"state legislative activity on global warming" which reviews bills
introduced in
the Arizona, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, New York, and Washington state legislatures. Most of the bills are
opposed to implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Let us know if you would
like
us to fax you a copy.

2.) Governor George Bush's Views on Climate Change:

A report by MSNBC (March 11) noted that Texas Governor Bush has declared
a state of emergency due to fire dangers posed by a developing drought.
Environmentalists have blamed the drought in part on the effects of global
warming.  However, Bush, who has said he may seek the Republican
presidential nomination in 2000, told reporters "the science is still out on
issues like global warming."

3.) Open Letter to DOE on Renewables' Role in Climate Change:

On March 18, the SUN DAY Campaign sent a 2-page "open letter" to Dan
Reicher, the U.S. Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Renewable
Energy & Energy Efficiency. The letter disputes statements recently
attributed
to DOE that non-hydro renewable energy was not expected to play a significant
role in meeting Kyoto emission reduction goals. The letter notes that
renewable
energy currently provides approximately 10% of the nation's domestic energy
production -- a level roughly equal to, if not greater than, that now
provided by
nuclear power.  It further argues that there is no compelling reason why --
with
appropriate federal leadership -- new, non-hydro renewable electric
generating
capacity could not substantially exceed 25,000 MW (DOE's goal) by 2010
"which would play a significant role in meeting U.S. emission reduction goals
under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol." Let us know if you would like us to e-
mail or fax you a copy of the letter.


MISCELLANEOUS

1.) House and Senate Renewable Caucuses Grow:

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has become the 143rd member of the House
Renewable Energy Caucus. In addition, Senator Allard's office reports that
the
Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus is up to 24 members (14-D,
10-R) with the recent additions of Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Blanche
Lincoln (D-AR), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

2.) Car Makers Unveil Plans for Fuel Cell Vehicles:

On March 17, Daimler-Chrysler AG and Ford Motor Company unveiled plans to
begin producing hydrogen-fuel-cell cars for mass-market sales by 2004. Toyota
Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp. also have announced plans to have
commercially viable fuel-cell vehicles ready within the next four years. In
a 1-
page release, Fuel Cells 2000 noted that "as the song goes, this is the
start of
something big." Separately, the Renewable Fuels Association issued a 1-page
release commenting on DOE's award of the 1998 Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles Medal to an industry/government team responsible for
pioneering the development of technology that converts ethanol to hydrogen to
power a fuel cell vehicle. It notes that "combining ethanol with fuel cells
will
result in a vehicle capable of achieving upwards of 80 miles to the gallon
with
near-zero exhaust emissions, providing substantial reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions." Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of
either release.

3.) Lamar Alexander's Views on Ethanol:

A recent 2-page "Business Wire" article  notes that Presidential candidate
Lamar Alexander has called for an expanded use of ethanol, in place of the
MTBE gas additive. "Nationally, ethanol production increases farm income by
$4.5 billion annually and is responsible for nearly 200,000 jobs. Just one
additional corn-processing plant with the capacity to produce 100 million
gallons of ethanol would result in an estimated 1100 new jobs and create an
additional $35 million in personal income.  Thus, helping the nation
protect its
environment is good business for Iowa."

4.) Assorted Wind Media:

An article in the February 18 "Grand Forks (ND) Herald" discusses remarks by
Dan Reicher who called North Dakota the "Saudi Arabia of wind" and
announced plans for $1.3 million in grants for small wind turbines. An
article in
the February 12 "Waterloo (IA) Courier" reports on Senator Charles Grassley's
intent to cosponsor extension of the wind PTC. Finally a February 18
article in
the "Portsmouth (RI) Sakonnet Times" discusses plans for the possible
construction of several wind turbines at sites near Portsmouth. Let us know
if
you would like us to fax you any of these articles.

5.) Factsheet - Three Mile Island:

The Safe Energy Communication Council has prepared a 5-page factsheet,
"Twenty Years After the Accident: The Legacy of Three Mile Island & the Dying
Nuclear Industry." Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy.


THREE MILE ISLAND: POLL RESULTS

On Monday, March 22, the Sustainable Energy Coalition will issue the
following news release on its new public opinion survey on nuclear power.
Please feel free to share this release with your local media and others as
well
as reprint it in your organization's newsletter.

"SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
315 Circle Avenue, #2; Takoma Park, MD 20912

For Release: March 22, 1999 - noon

Contact: Scott Denman 202-483-8491, ext.*814
                Charlie Higley 202-546-4996, ext. 309

Washington DC -- Twenty years after the March 28, 1979 accident at the Three
Mile Island nuclear plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, most Americans
believe a similar accident could happen again in the United States .
Furthermore, six out of ten registered voters oppose the building of any new
nuclear plants in the United States and, if given a choice of generator from
which they could buy their electricity, only six percent would choose
nuclear power.

These are among the key findings of a new public opinion survey released
today by the Sustainable Energy Coalition. The survey of 1,022 registered
voters was conducted March 5-14 by International Communications Research
of Media, Pennsylvania; it has a margin of error of +/-3.0 percent.

Two-thirds (67%) of respondents stated that they believe that it was highly
(21%) or somewhat (46%) likely that a nuclear accident like that which
occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant could happen in the United
States again.  This view is held by male and female voters across all
political
party lines and age groups. It is therefore not surprising that
three-fifths (60%)
of all registered voters oppose the building of more nuclear power plants
in the
United States with women (69%) and younger voters (65%) particularly opposed.

The respondents overall were evenly split on the question of whether existing
reactors should be phased out by the year 2020. However, a nuclear phase-out
is embraced by a majority of Democratic voters (51% vs. 35%). Furthermore,
the responses reveal a clear gender gap with women favoring a phase-out by a
margin of 48% to 35%.  Perhaps more troubling for the nuclear industry is
that
younger voters support a phase-out of nuclear reactors by an even larger
margin of 50% to 40%.

'Most Americans think an accident like that which occurred at Three Mile
Island could happen again and want no new plants built,' said Scott Denman,
Executive Director of the Safe Energy Communication Council. 'This provides
convincing proof that voters believe nuclear power remains an unsafe,
unreliable, and uneconomic source of electricity.'

Finally, the survey suggests that as the nation's utility marketplace is
gradually
opened to competition, the nuclear industry is faced with a bleak future
inasmuch as only 6% of voters would opt to buy their electricity from nuclear
generators. In comparison, an overwhelming number of consumers (62%) would
prefer to buy their electricity from renewable energy sources (i.e., solar,
wind,
geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric) while another 18% would choose
natural gas and 4% would select coal.

'Twenty years after the Three Mile Island accident, the nuclear industry has
clearly never recovered,' said Wenonah Hauter, Director of Public Citizen's
Critical Mass Energy Project.  'It is a dying industry dependent on an
outmoded technology for which there is little public support and which most
consumers are prepared to reject in the marketplace.'

Question #1: On March 28, 1979, the worst accident involving a U.S. nuclear
reactor occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.  Do you think a nuclear accident like that which occurred at
the
Three Mile Island plant could happen in the United States again? Would you
say it is ...
Highly Likely 	 21.3%
Somewhat Likely  45.6%
Somewhat Unlikely  16.7%
Highly Unlikely 	 11.7%
Don't Remember TMI 	  0.8%
Don't Know 		  3.1%
Refused 			  0.8%

Question #2: Do you favor or oppose the building of more nuclear power plants
in the United States?
Oppose 		 59.8%
Favor 		 25.6%
Don't Know 	 13.4%
Refused 			  1.2%

Question #3: Should the United States phase out its existing nuclear power
plants by the year 2020?
Yes 		 43.3%
No 		 43.8%
Don't Know 	 12.0%
Refused 			  1.0%

Question #4: If you had a choice, from what one type of power plant would you
buy electricity?
Renewable Energy*  61.5%
Natural Gas 	 18.3%
Nuclear 			  6.3%
Coal 			  4.4%
Don't Know 		  8.0%
Refused 			  1.5%
*(i.e., solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric)

A one-page table presenting the above responses with details on how they
broke down along gender, age, and political party lines can be faxed upon
request.  The complete 15-page survey "America Speaks Out on Energy:
Nuclear Power" (including charts and demographic data) is available for $10
prepaid from the Sustainable Energy Coalition (315 Circle Avenue, #2, Takoma
Park, MD 20912-4836).

The Sustainable Energy Coalition is a coalition of 36 national energy policy
organizations founded in 1992 to promote increased use of renewable energy
and energy efficient technologies."

## END ##



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Scott Birmingham

[1]                                EV WORLD UPDATE
                                     http://evworld.com
                                  Week of  14 March 1999

WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK ON EV WORLD...
Revolutionizing Personal TranSport
Georgia Power's Employee EV Lease Program
Today's Hot Link
Stock Spotlight
Clean Cars And Dirty Factories
Of Petrol Prices and Chieftan Main Battle Tanks


++++++++++++++++ ELECTRIC BICYCLE SHOP ONLINE  ++++++++++++++++++++
Take your pick!  Move to California and lease an EV for $450 a month for the
next 36 months or stay where you are and buy one for under $1000 at the
Electric Bicycle Shop!  Check It Out @ http://evworld.com/electricshop/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

REVOLUTIONIZING PERSONAL TRANSPORT
EmPower of Cambridge, Massachusetts plans to launch a "revolution" in
personal transportation in the form of their nifty little electric
three-wheel scooter.  Unlike their colonial forebears who fired the famed
"shot heard 'round the world" in 1775, the rallying cry of this group of
"sunshine patriots" might be, "Tread On Me!"    Come read this week's
interview with Paul Staeling, VP of Engineering.

(With apologies to our international readers, you have to know a little bit
of US history to catch the above inference)

GEORGIA POWER'S EMPLOYEE EV LEASE PROGRAM
After interviewing Gary Floyd at Georgia Power this past week, I want to go
to work for them.  If I do, I can someday lease my choice of either a Ford
Ranger EV or GM EV1 (decisions, decisions)... and in three exciting colors.
Find out why this unit of the Southern Companies is offering its employees
12 month EV leases at really temping prices.  RealAudio & Text Interview.

TODAY'S HOT LINK
Hal Harvey of the Energy Foundation in San Francisco recently suggested I
create a new feature on EV World that links to other EV-relevant stories
and web sites.  I think it's a great idea so I took his advice and created
Today's Hot Link which I'll try to add to as frequently as I come across
interesting and informative articles and links.  If you know of any links
that would be of interest to your fellow EV World readers, please let me
know.  Send email to:  editor@....

This week's Hot Links to a wonderful piece of personal reporting by Matt
Peterson on his recent purchase of an EMB Lectra motorcycle.

STOCK SPOTLIGHT
Remy Cheval forwarded me a press release by Ultralife Batteries about their
Solid Polymer Rechargeable Battery which they apparently have started
shipping.  I thought it would be interesting to see how their stock has
performed recently, so with a bow to Yahoo, you'll find their past year's
chart now on the main page.   I'll plan to follow suite in the future with
other EV industry-related companies.

As a reminder, you can track the daily stock meanderings of many EV
companies from EV World's  EV STOCKS page which includes a delayed stock
ticker.

CLEAN CARS AND DIRTY FACTORIES
Phil Heymann sent me a disturbing article from the New York Time's web site
(I would have Hot Linked to it, but the site requires a password to
access).  It seems that companies who make the cleanest cars tend to have
the dirtiest factories.  Singled out in the  Council on Economic Priorities
report was Honda Motor Company and Mitsubishi as having some of the
least-polluting cars on the market. However, or so the report alleges, they
also have some of the most polluting factories in the US.  By contrast, the
Council praised DaimlerChrysler for having some of the cleanest factories,
while their Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most polluting.

OF BALLONING PETROL PRICES......
British EV enthusiast Paul Govan informed me last week petrol prices
(gasoline to us Yanks) in Britain are now the equivalent of $4.80 a gallon!
Ouch!  No wonder he keeps begging for car makers and electric bicycle
builders (Lee Iacocca in particular) to take a serious interest in selling
EVs in Britain.

.......AND CHEIFTAN MAIN BATTLE TANKS
Of course I was only kidding in last week's Update about selling APCs and
Abrams Battle Tanks as SUVs... but it seems a company in Britain  actually
beat me to the idea.  Richard Peters wrote me to say not only will the
company sell you surplus British Army scout car (an armoured 4 and 6 wheel
vehicle) for a mere
£6,000.  Or if that's not heavy-duty enough for you, they've also got a
Cheiftan Main Battle Tank for sale for just £15,000.   Would you want the
extended warranty and rust-proofing with that, Sir ?

Until next week.... stay plugged into EV World.

Best wishes,

Bill Moore
Editor in chief





















                      EV WORLD -- http://evworld.com
        ------------------------------------------------------------
           Advanced Vehicle Technology News, Interview & Previews
                  Published Weekly By Digital Revolution
                               [402] 339 9877



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From: SUN DAY Campaign <kbossong@...>
To: "'Sustainable Energy Coalition: Weekly Update - List'"
	  <kbossong@...>
Subject: Sustainable Energy Coalition: "Weekly Update"
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 15:54:56 -0500


SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
"WEEKLY UPDATE"
March 14, 1999

The articles provided below were initially compiled during the past week by
the
SUN DAY Campaign (ph. 301-270-2258; fax: 301-891-2866) for the 36 member
organizations of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (list available upon
request).

Feel free to distribute this newsletter to others. In addition, please let
us know
of other U.S. organizations, businesses, or government agencies that would
like to be added to the e-mail list for this publication. This newsletter is
presently sent to over 750 organizations nationwide.

If you want any of the items we have offered to fax, please provide a
number for
a DEDICATED (i.e., one that will not be answered by a person), 24-hour FAX
line.


FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET & TAXES

1.) House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee:

At a March 11 House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing,
Chairman Ron Packard (R-CA) noted a great disparity between the
photovoltaics and nuclear budgets compared with their budget allocations.
Packard claimed that nuclear generates about 20% of the nation's electricity,
while ridiculing PV's "three-thousandth of one percent...that's point
zero-zero-
three percent" of electricity generated.  He went on to say that he didn't
foresee
any new nuclear plants or large hydro dams in the future, noting that this
means we are moving toward greater long-term reliance on fossil fuels, which
he said is "bad."  He went on to call for a new emphasis on nuclear power.
In
passing, he said that renewable energy technologies were good, but
discounted their potential, saying that the U.S. must concentrate on new
development of nuclear power.  Finally, Packard said that the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) and other agencies must work together to overcome the
barriers which have stalled such things as new nuclear development.  He said
that regulatory reform and changes in attitudes are needed so that faster
progress can be made on new (i.e., nuclear) energy development.

2.) Science Committee Views on Renewable Energy:

In a 1-page statement released last week, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) - chairman
of the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Energy & Environment -
charged that "in recent years DOE has non-competitively awarded tens of
millions of dollars to Washington, DC-based trade associations -- tens of
millions of dollars that were diverted from worthwhile research and
development
activities." However, he also noted that he was "pleased that there are
substantial increases [in the Administration's FY'00 budget request] to
several
programs the Subcommittee has supported in the past, including fundamental
photovoltaic research, applied wind research, and core research and
development in hydrogen." Let us know if you would like us to fax you a
copy of
the statement.

3.) Wind Production Tax Credit:

We have received a 2-page list of the 76 members of the House of
Representatives and the 17 members of the Senate supporting extension of the
wind energy production tax credit.  Let us know if you would like us to fax
you a copy.

4.) VA/HUD Appropriations Subcommittee Members:

We have received a 2-page list of the Republican and Democratic members of
the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on VA/HUD which
oversees the budget for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The list
includes the staff contact for each member as well as each member's office
address, phone number, and fax number.  Let us know if you would like us to
fax you a copy.


ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING

1.) Administration/Renewable Portfolio Standard:

The Clinton Administration has revised its restructuring bill to increase the
Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) from 5.5% by 2010 to 7.5% by 2010 --
roughly doubling the amount of new renewables that could potentially result
from the Administration RPS. The bill retains a cap on renewable energy
credit
prices of 1.5 cents per kWh and a 2015 sunset date.  There will also be new
sections in the Administration bill promoting distributed generation and
combined heat and power projects. However, the Administration has apparently
decided to not increase the Public Benefits Fund nor include additional
emissions reduction measures such as caps and/or generator efficiency
standards.

2.) Renewables/Restructuring Principles:

The Renewable Energy Alliance (REA) has released a paper, "Electric Industry
Restructuring Principles: Realizing the Benefits of Retail Electricity
Choice"
which lists the policies it believes to be necessary for a state to have a
"vibrant,
competitive retail market for renewable power." REA calls for states to
establish meaningful price competition; open competition to all customer
classes simultaneously; avoid unnecessary regulatory barriers to customers
who want to switch; disclose accurate fuel source information; and make
renewable energy policies friendly to the market." The full text of the
report can
be found at <http://www.realliance.org>.

3.) EIA's State Restructuring Update:

The Energy Information Administration has updated its extensive
state-by-state
review of the status of electric utility deregulation  to reflect activity
through
March 1. It can be found at
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/chg_str/tab5rev.html>.

4.) Massachusetts Restructuring Problems:

The "Boston Globe" (March 2) notes that Massachusetts deregulation law
called for a 10% reduction in utility bills in 1998 plus another 5% cut
starting
September 1999.  However, "most consumers probably won't see another
significant break in prices for close to two years, although businesses,
nonprofit organizations, and municipalities are starting to get lower
prices from
alternative providers." The 2-page article adds that "expectations that
alternative
providers would scramble to serve residential customers have yet to
materialize...because the initial electric rates set under the deregulation
law
were too low -- below the cost of producing power -- [which] makes it
uneconomical to market to individual residential customers." Let us know if
you
would like us to fax you a copy of the article.


CLIMATE CHANGE

1.) American Society of Mechanical Engineers Views on Kyoto:

"Electricity Daily" reports that the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
believes the Kyoto Protocol timetable for reduction in greenhouse gases to be
"unrealistic" and the compliance problems to be "enormous." Noting the time
--
often decades -- needed to develop, test, and implement major changes in
technology, ASME warned that "in order to make major progress in meeting
the timeframe set by the Kyoto Protocol for the U.S. severe distortion in
fuel
utilization must be accepted, and large capital expenditures for technology
development and deployment will be required." ASME is also calling for "a new
generation of nuclear fission reactors" noting that "the nuclear option
must be
included in any long-term strategy for the reduction of carbon emissions."
Let
us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of the 1-page article.

2.) Philadelphia Inquirer - Gas Guzzler Editorial:

In a 3-page March 6 editorial,  the "Philadelphia Inquirer" urged that CAFE
standards "be methodically raised over the next 10 years" and that "light
trucks, vans, and SUVs be held to the same, higher fuel standards as cars."
It
also noted that "higher federal taxes on gasoline may be needed to make
America as fuel-efficient as tax-heavy Europe" with the revenue "used to
support mass transit and to help U.S. industry do its part to combat global
warming by reducing smokestack CO2." The editorial warns that "America's
driving miles have been steadily climbing 2% a year and now that low-mileage
vans, light trucks, and SUVs account for an extraordinary 50% of new cars
sold in America, gas mileage is going that way too. ... The United States,
with
less than 5% of the world's population, accounts for more than 25% of global
oil consumption. Air pollution, global warming, and the destruction of
fragile
ecosystems are the results." Let us know if you would like us to fax you a
copy.

3.) Comments on CAFE Rider to Transportation Appropriations Bill:

The Sierra Club reports that people wishing to submit written testimony to
the
House Transportation Appropriations Committee regarding a CAFE-freeze rider
to the FY'00 Transportation Appropriations bill must do so by March 26 .
Four
copies of testimony must be sent to the Subcommittee on Transportation and
Related Agencies Appropriations, 2358 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515.  The Sierra Club has made a 5-page summary of its
own testimony available for those who would like to review it as a possible
model for their own statement.  Let us know if you would like us to fax you
a copy.

4.) Biofuels' Role in Climate Change:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has published a new, 6-page paper
"Biofuels: A Solution for Climate Change." It notes that the nation's biomass
resource base is extensive -- about 200 million dry tons of various waste
feedstocks are available annually. Using a fraction of this resource could
probably supply the equivalent of 350,000 barrels of oil in 2010, or 3.6%
of the
projected light-duty vehicle energy demand. "Increasing biomass use would
accelerate the displacement of fossil fuels and the reduction of
transportation
greenhouse gas emissions." The paper can be found at
<http:www.biofuels.nrel.gov/rdbriefs/bfreports.html>.

5.) Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy-EPA Air Goals:

Working with state environmental offices and state energy offices, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just released the first part of a
guidance document that enables states to include the air quality benefits of
voluntary energy efficiency and renewable energy actions as an integral
part of
their air quality attainment strategies.  Entitled, Guidance on
Establishing an
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) Set-Aside in the NOx
Budget Trading Program, it is available on EPA's website.  Most of DOE's
EE/RE programs currently receive no SIPs credit(s).  This document is a first
step in demonstrating how accelerated adoption of energy efficiency and
renewable energy in residential, commercial and industrial sectors can reduce
emissions of criteria pollutants and how those emissions reductions can be
credited in state air quality attainment mechanisms.


MISCELLANEOUS

1.) House Renewable Energy Caucus Grows:

Craig Cox (BLA) reports that Rep. Bruce Vento (D-MN) has joined the House
Renewable Energy Caucus bringing it up to 142 members.

2.) Energy Information Agency/Renewables:

A new report, "Hydroelectricity and Other Renewable Resources" from the
Energy Information Administration predicts that "while renewable energy
sources are not expected to gain market share, they are expected to retain an
8% share of world energy use through 2020." EIA further predicts that by
2020,
total consumption of renewable energy will reach 50 quadrillion Btu -- an
increase of 67% over 1995 levels. Renewable energy use is projected to
increase by 1.3% annually in North America over the next 25 years and
account for about 10% of total projected energy use in the region by 2020. In
the U.S., most growth in renewable energy use for power generation involve
municipal solid waste (primarily landfill gas), wind, and biomass. Details
can be
found at <http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo98/hydro.html>.

3.) Ethanol Industry Outlook:

The Renewable Fuels Association has released a publication, "Ethanol Industry
Outlook for 1999 and Beyond," which notes that in 1998 the industry has set a
new production record of more than 1.4 billion gallons per year.  This
level of
production increases net farm income of $4.5 billion; boosts total employment
by 195,200 jobs; adds over $450 million to state tax receipts; improves the
U.S. trade balance by $2 billion; and results in a net savings to the federal
budget of $3.6 billion.  The full report can be found at
<http://www.ethanolrfa.org>.

4.) Christian Science Monitor - Wind Farms:

A 2-page article in the "Christian Science Monitor" (March 9) notes that "the
country's wind-power capacity will have jumped 50% in 18 months" particularly
due to the expansion of wind generators on agricultural land throughout the
Midwest. It adds that "industry advocates hope that within 10 years wind
power
will be cheaper than energy produced by coal and other fossil fuels" and
observes the growing number of consumers switching energy suppliers to take
advantage of green power. Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy.

5.) Low-Impact Hydro Certification Program:

A 4-page memo from Green Mountain Energy Resources and American Rivers
outlines "a final draft of Low Impact Hydropower Criteria, along with a
Certification Package outlining the process for certifying and marketing Low
Impact Hydropower." The groups are seeking final public comments on these
drafts by April 9 and plan to begin accepting applications for
certification in
early May. Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy.

6.) Hydro Relicensing Legislation Pending:

The current issue of "Environment & Energy Weekly" reports that Sen. Larry
Craig (R-ID) and Rep. Edolphous Towns (D-NY) will head a drive to change the
hydropower licensing process in the 106th Congress with identical bills set
to
be introduced shortly in the Congress. The legislation would direct FERC to
set
a deadline of not more than a year for a federal resource agency (e.g., U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, Forest Service) to impose its conditions after a
license
application is filed.  The hydropower industry says that some licenses have
taken as many as 24 years to be issued. Conceding that the proposed
legislation could be labeled as anti-environmental, Towns said possible
environmental attacks on the legislation can effectively countered if the
industry
presents its difficulties accurately.

7.) Oil Imports Rise:

In the March 1999 "Short-Term Energy Outlook," the Energy Information
Administration notes that total petroleum net imports (including finished
products) amounted to an estimated 51.6% of total domestic demand in 1998.
This is projected to rise to 52.2% in 1999 and 54.3% in 2000. For all of
1999,
EIA expects growth in petroleum demand to be around 2.9% above the
reported 1998 level of 18.68 million barrels per day. For details, see
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html>.

8.) Coalition Opposes Exxon-Mobil Merger:

On March 10, Public Citizen coordinated a news conference to announce the
Coalition to Stop the Exxon-Mobil Merger comprised of national and state
organizations including Consumer Federation of America, Grey Panthers, the
National Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, U.S. PIRG, Friends
of the Earth, and Survivors of the Exxon-Valdez Spill. For details, see
<http://www.citizen.org/cmep/empressconf.html>. Incidentally, March 24, 1999
is the tenth anniversary of the EXXON Valdez accident.

9.) Nuclear Power on Twentieth Anniversary of TMI Accident:

A 4-page article in the "New York Times" (March 7) argues that the nuclear
industry "is doing better now" than it was at the time of the Three Mile
Island
accident on March 28, 1979.  "Today, reactors are quietly producing about one-
quarter more electricity each, and the level of radiation exposure to
workers is
down along with the number of automatic shut-downs. Uranium fuel is cheap
and plentiful, and with low interest rates, so is nuclear power's biggest
ingredient, capital.  The industry has also happily achieved a lowered public
profile." However, the article also notes that "extinction is in sight" for
the
nuclear industry whose reactors "are technological artifacts of an era
slipping
into history." It notes that the "real reactor killer is deregulation in
the utility
industry" and suggests that if electricity is completely deregulated, about
28
nuclear plants will be unable to compete."  Let us know if you would like
us to
fax you a copy.

10.) Financial Times:  Nuclear Prospects:

A 3-page article in the "Financial Times" (March 2) notes that the nuclear
industry "battling against environmental, political, safety, commercial, and
economic concerns, appears to be approaching meltdown. ... In all of western
Europe and North America, only one new plant is under construction. ... The
most formidable hurdle, still to be resolved by most governments, is how to
store safely the growing stockpile of spent fuel and waste, some of which
will
still be radioactive at the end of the next millennium. ... Even though few
new
plants are being built and fewer still planned, the existing ones are taking
forever to close down, and some are having their operations extended. ... One
of the biggest factors in the industry's favour is global warming [because]
many
western countries will not be able to meet the environmental commitments they
signed at the Kyoto conference on climate change in 1997 if they close down
their nuclear plants. ... Over the next 10 years, the issue of whether to
extend
the life of old reactors - rather than close them down - may become the new
battlefield over nuclear power. ... It would be a bitter irony if, as a
result of
public worries about the safety of nuclear power, governments decided to
extend the life of old (and inherently less safe) reactors, rather than to
build
new, safer ones." Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of the
article.

11.) Worldwatch Institute: Nuclear Peaking:

In a 2-page paper released March 5, the Worldwatch Institute reports that "in
the last decade, nuclear power has gone from being the world's fastest
growing
energy source to its slowest [because] it is simply no longer competitive
with
other, newer forms of power generation" and adds that in 1998 world nuclear
generating capacity fell by 175 MW. It further observes that "in increasingly
competitive power markets ... as many as one-third of US and Canadian
reactors are vulnerable to shut down in the next five years." It concludes
that
"global nuclear capacity will begin a sustained decline by 2002 at the latest
and the U.S. Department of Energy projects that it will fall by half in the
next
two decades." The article can be found at <http://www.worldwatch.org>.

12.) Richardson/Nuclear Waste:

The current issue of "Environment & Energy Weekly" notes that while the
House Energy & Power Subcommittee has effectively rejected the proposal,
the Senate Energy Committee may be open to discussion the Administration's
nuclear waste proposal. DOE Secretary Richardson's plan would require DOE
to take title to high-level nuclear waste until a permanent underground
facility,
being considered at Yucca Mountain, is ready to take the waste, which could
be in 2010 if it passes site suitability tests. However, the Administration
has
yet to put its proposal on paper.  The article notes that Richardson's
proposal
has been welcomed by a few members of Congress, but a majority is
skeptical; the proposal is also opposed by the nuclear industry and he
environmental community.

## END ##


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Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 17:36:04 -0500
From: Bill Eggertson <eggertson@...>
Organization: Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
Subject: TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES.    issue #71  for March 15



TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES
         issue #71  for March 15

A 'heads up' overview of renewable energies.

Forward TRENDS to your colleagues; subscription is free.
Archives are posted at  http://www.renewables.ca.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IN THIS ISSUE:

Private Investment of $60 Million Promised for Renewables
European Parliament Approves Support for Renewables
Ohio Commissions First Solar School
Photovoltaics Installed in Spain's Pyrenees
Small Company Tackles Big Costs of Solar Energy
Promotion of Renewables in China
More Wind Turbines Under Construction in Wisconsin
Solar Supplies 0.1% to India's Energy, but Climbing
Solar Cells Set Another Record for Efficiency
Europe to Commit 15 Billion Euros in Next Framework
California Consumers Save $1 Million with Green Electricity
European Renewables URL Provides Data
DoE Extends its Renewable Solicitation Deadline
Earth Energy Manufacturer Buys Retrofit Company
Realizing the Benefits of Retail Electricity Choice
France and Australia Work on Renewables in the Pacific
Internet Course on 'Understanding Renewable Energy'
Wind Power Blows Across Egypt
Workshop on Concentrating Solar Power Shows Promise
U-S Analysis of Renewables in Guatemala
Massachusetts Community Captures the Sun
New Mexico Launches Wind Power Program
China Struggles For 'Green' Credibility
New Midwest Crop Comes Sweeping down the Plain
Study Says Nuclear is on a 'Slow Slide to Oblivion'
Nuclear Power is Dying Across Europe
Status of U-S Electricity Deregulation by State
Software Available for Building Green
Energy Tidbits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Private Investment of $60 Million Promised for Renewables
ScottishPower will develop 50 MW of renewable resources over
the next five years, as it merges with PacifiCorp.  The British firm
will spend $60 million on new wind, solar and geothermal sites,
and will generate up to 10% of the new renewable energy in the
U-S with only 1% of the customers.  ScottishPower's reputation is
pro-environment, but the commitment depends on current U-S
regulations continuing.  ScottishPower has 92 MW of wind in
Britain, and invests $5 million a year in energy efficiency.  It will
offer a 'green resource' premium tariff to purchase electricity from
renewable sources, and promised to consider expansion of a
geothermal project in Utah, enhance environmental management
systems at thermal plants, gather outside input on environmental
matters, and contribute $100,000 to the Bonneville Environmental
Foundation to develop new renewable resources.

--

European Parliament Approves Support for Renewables
The European Parliament will support the 'ALTENER' program for
renewable energies and the 'SAVE II' program for energy
efficiency, with funding for 2000-2002.  The two programs will be
restructured within the Fifth Framework Program for Actions in
the Field of Energy (Energy Framework Program), so both can be
disbanded.  Until the vote, the programs were assured of funding
only until 1999, and full budgets have been accepted to prepare
for the next calls for both schemes.
Details: http://www.eufores.org/summary.htm

--

Ohio Commissions First Solar School
An elementary school in Worthington has installed a 2,000 W
energy system, consisting of 30 75-watt modules from BP Solar,
mounted on a 21 x 12 ground mount.  The PV array is the first of
100 for Ohio schools, and is part of President Clinton's Million
Solar Roofs Initiative to install PV systems onto one million
buildings by 2010.  Students can check the internet to see their
energy demand and the amount of solar energy supplied.  Since
January, five Ohio schools have pledged to join the program.
Details:  http://www.aep.com/environment/solar

--

Photovoltaics Installed in Spain's Pyrenees
Two solar projects (called 3PV) will provide electricity to isolated
areas via 43 installations in southern France and 48 in Spain,
with total output of 80 kWh.  The projects were financed under
Thermie and Energy demonstrations, and are managed by
Techsol of France and Atersa of Spain.  Eight sites are being
monitored, using telephone modems for installations above 400
kWh.  Where phone service is not available, satellite links are
used.  The projects provide power at lower cost than the grid.

--

Small Company Tackles Big Costs of Solar Energy
A company in Arizona has developed a battery charger to
increase efficiency (and reduce cost) of solar systems.  The unit
from Fire, Wind + Rain Technologies delivers 25% more power
from photovoltaic panels and, since panels are one of the most
expensive components, increased power in the battery bank
allows four panels to be reduced to three, thereby reducing
system cost.  A high-speed processor in the charger finds the
maximum power point of the panels, and constantly re-adjusts for
changes in sunlight, temperature, and battery voltage.  Arizona
Public Service is testing the charger.  The world market for solar
energy saw 25% growth from 1997 to 1998, and more than $1
trillion is expected to be invested in new systems by 2000.
Details: http://www.firewindandrain.com

--

Promotion of Renewables in China
The United Nations Development Program and the Chinese
government have a project to promote commercialization of
renewable energy technologies.  The five-year project will cost
more than $25 million, and develop market-orientated institutions
to promote rural electrification by solar and wind power.  A China
Renewable Energy Industries Association will be formed, and
training will be given to policy makers.



More Wind Turbines Under Construction in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Electric will install two Vestas - American Wind
Technology turbines this summer, similar to the units erected last
year near Green Bay.  Each turbine can generate up to 660 kW
of electricity, and will generate 1,726 MWh a year, displacing
2,000 tons of CO2 emissions versus conventional combustion
energy. "We are committed to exploring and developing
renewable energy sources, and believe renewable generation
can and must play an increasing role in the state's energy mix,"
say company officials.
Details:  http://www.wisconsinelectric.com

--

Solar Supplies 0.1% to India's Energy, but It's Climbing
India is installing 1,360 MW of capacity from wind, small hydro,
biomass and solar, to generate 2.5 billion kWh of electricity per
year for grid and decentralized consumption.  Three million
biogas plants, half-a-million square metres of solar collectors for
water heating, and half-a-million solar cookers have also been
installed.  A 650 MW photovoltaic plant is under construction,
and the world's largest solar steam cooking system will prepare
meals for 10,000 residents (a similar system for 1,000 people has
operated since 1997).  A 140 MW integrated solar combined
cycle plant with a solar thermal component of 40 MW is planned.

--

Solar Cells Set Another Record for Efficiency
The U-S National Renewable Energy Laboratory has recorded an
efficiency of 18.8% for copper indium gallium diselenide cells,
and the latest jump of 1% indicates that room for improvement
still remains. Thin-film PV applies thin layers of semiconductor
material to a backing, and CIS technology is noted for reliability
and stable conversion efficiencies.  DoE created the National
Center for Photovoltaics in 1996, and it works with Sandia
National to improve the cost-effectiveness, performance and
reliability of PV products.

--

Europe to Commit 15 Billion Euros in Next Framework
The first Call for Proposals for the EU's Fifth Framework Program
for Research + Technological Development will be issued soon,
with a budget of 15 billion euros for 1999-2002.  More than 1
billion euros will be allocated to non-nuclear energy.  In the
energy theme, the aim is to minimize environmental impacts
of energy use in Europe, and to investigate renewable
energy sources, including development of decentralized
generation by wind and solar technologies, as well as the
integration of renewable sources into energy systems.
Another goal is to provide Europe with "a reliable, efficient,
safe and economic energy supply", with a focus on improving
the efficiency of renewable energy sources.
Details:  http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/src/ec-en7.htm#key-t-4-energy

--

California Consumers Save $1 Million with Green Electricity
Customers of  Commonwealth Energy have saved $1 million on
their energy bills since deregulation in that state began last April.
The company provides 100% green energy and offers a discount
of 5%, beyond the mandated 10% rate reduction offered by three
utilities.  The ten-month saving "proves that deregulation is
working," say officials, and customers who buy green power are
making a conscious decision to support the environment.
Commonwealth Energy says its 45,000 customers represent
one-third of all consumers who have switched from the utilities.
Annual revenue for FY99 is expected to pass $50 million.

--

European Renewables URL Provides Data
EuroREX is a commercial internet site that promotes renewable
energy in Europe.  The use of renewable energy in Europe since
1989 has been growing at 2.7% per year, 50% faster than growth
in the overall energy market, and it predicts that renewable
energies, by 2020, will be one of the three largest sources of
energy in Europe (with gas and nuclear).  Renewables contribute
5.3% of primary energy needs of the European Union (1994) and
1.7% of primary energy in Eastern Europe. The EU market for
renewables is growing at 760 MWe and 1,740 MWt per year,
representing a home market of ECU 4.3 billion per year.
Renewables will contribute up to 14% of primary supply by 2020
with the right policies, which represents a cumulative value of
ECU 266 billion.
The penetration of renewables will depend on future policies in
the areas of environment, R,D+D and market support, and how
those policies go through transition.  Higher penetrations can be
achieved without government subsidies if certain R+D targets are
met and adequate lead time is allowed for commercial
development.  The World Energy Council forecasts a global
market for renewables by 2020 of ECU 1,700 billion, and Europe
is a world leader in wind, PV and biomass.  Renewables could
reduce CO2 emissions (from 1990 levels) by 16% by 2020,
avoiding external costs (health, environment, etc) of ECU 23
billion per year by 2020.  By 2020, renewables could reduce the
EU's import dependency by 19%, which would reduce imports
from 66% to 53% of primary energy.  With a supportive set of
policies, an additional ECU 180 billion of investment would be
stimulated in the renewable energy home market by 2020, which
would lead to the creation of 500,000 jobs in the energy and
supply sectors, most in rural areas and in export markets.
Details:  http://www.eurorex.com/
          /viewtech.asp?ViewL3=N&technologyID=12

--

DoE Extends its Renewable Solicitation Deadline
The U-S deadline for a broad-based solicitation in renewable
energies has been extended to April 16.  Grants and coop
agreements will fund information dissemination, public outreach,
training and related technical analysis and assistance activities
for renewables and energy efficiency.  The deadline will allow
new areas of interest under the Million Solar Roofs Initiative.
Details:  http://www.pr.doe.gov/10649sol.html

--

Earth Energy Manufacturer Buys Retrofit Company
DeMarco Energy Systems, a manufacturer of water-source heat
pumps, will buy KeyStone Services, a Texas firm that conducts
electrical consumption audits and retrofits lighting systems in
commercial buildings.  Lighting and space conditioning consume
70% of a building's total energy, and DeMarco wants to increase
its market share by 50-300% every year.  The energy services
market in the U-S is worth $65 billion annually.

--

Realizing the Benefits of Retail Electricity Choice
The Renewable Energy Alliance says the U-S can only have "a
vibrant, competitive retail market for renewable power" if policies
for renewables are made friendly to the market.  In its 'Electric
Industry Restructuring Principles' paper, REA says consumer
protection measures to provide information to make informed
choices, are fundamental to realizing the benefits of retail
electricity choice, and rules adopted by each state will make or
break the existence of a competitive retail market.
Details: http://www.realliance.org

--

France and Australia Work on Renewables in the Pacific
A three-year energy program was initiated last summer in 17
countries in the South Pacific, which will result in an investment
of 1.7 million Euros in projects for 15 projects, of which seven
focus on renewable energy generation.  Rural electrification, grid
production and biomass / geothermal resource development are
the priorities.  France is involved with numerous PV and wind
projects in New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

--

Internet Course on 'Understanding Renewable Energy'
A simple on-line course is offered for energy consumers, to
provide an understanding of the different forms of renewable
energy, an introduction to public policy issues, and the positive
and negative consequences of  renewable energy options.  The
course has 17 lessons, each about one page in length, and
allows course discussions with faculty and fellow students.  There
are 'course adventure' activities, and a final exam.  There is a
segment on Renewable Energy in the United States (electricity
generation from geothermal, hydro, solar, wind), and the impact
of electricity competition on renewables.  Also included is a
section on 'Market-Based Approaches to Increasing Use of
Renewables in Electricity Generation' and 'Green Power
Guidelines, Definitions, and Certification Programs.'
Details:   http://www.energy.com/eu/renew/default.asp

--

Wind Power Blows Across Egypt
A 40 turbine windfarm is being installed in the Red Sea resort of
Hurghada, in a pilot project to make Egypt the top generator of
wind power in Africa and the Middle East within two years.
Winds from the Mediterranean are funneled through mountains
along the Red Sea, with average speeds of 23 mph for 95% of
the year.  Windfarms in other countries have speeds of 16 mph,
but Egypt's extra velocity generates a three-fold increase in
power and will generate electricity for $0.04 per kWh.  White
storks, steppe eagles and other species of bird migrate through
the corridor, but fly above the turbines as long as there are no
rubbish dumps to entice them into the blades.  Egypt began
looking at wind in 1986, when its Renewable Energy Authority
started mapping wind regimes.  In 32 square miles of desert at
Zafarana, the windfarm will be financed by German and Danish
turbine manufacturers.  By 2000, capacity will be 90 MW, ten
times more than wind output in Iran, the biggest generator in
Africa and the Middle East.  Egyptian officials hope that wind will
generate 600 MW by 2005 (3% of demand), making it the world's
fifth biggest producer behind Germany (2,080 MW); U-S (1,600
MW); Denmark (1,120 MW); and India (950 MW).  One study
says windfarms along a 150-mile stretch could generate more
power than Egypt's total demand.  Egypt will soon be connected
to Europe's power grid, and could export excess wind electricity.

--

Workshop on Concentrating Solar Power Shows Promise
A number of opportunities for parabolic-trough power projects
may open soon, driven by global interest in greenhouse gas
reduction and green power.  India, Egypt, Morocco, and Mexico
have active programs that will receive grants from the Global
Environment Facility, and independent power producers are
designing power projects in Greece, Spain, and the U-S.  Nine
plants in California's Mojave Desert are generating 354 MWe of
solar electric capacity, and have accumulated 100 plant-years of
commercial operating experience.  The technology is maturing to
the point where officials say it can compete directly with
conventional power technologies in many sunbelt regions, but
success depends on the formation of international collaborations.
Details:  http://www.eren.doe.gov/sunlab

--

U-S Analysis of Renewables in Guatemala
Guatemala generated 92% of its power from hydro until drought
conditions in 1998 dropped water levels.  The country will build
more than 1,000 MW of hydro units, as well as geothermal and
cogen fueled by sugar cane refuse.  It is building Central
America's first coal-fired plant, that will burn imported coal.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/guatemal.html

--

Massachusetts Community Captures the Sun
The city of Medford has launched a solar energy program under
the U-S Million Solar Roofs Initiative.  Massachusetts Electric will
encourage homeowners and companies to install PV panels, with
partially funding from DoE's TEAM-UP (Technology Experience
to Accelerate Markets in Utility Photovoltaics) program.  New
England Electric has pledged to install 100,000 solar energy
systems by 2010, including a PV unit on Medford High School.

--

New Mexico Launches Wind Power Program
A single Vestas 660 kW turbine has been commissioned as New
Mexico's first commercial wind generator, which will be sold to
Southwestern Public Service for sale to customers who will buy
green power at a premium of $3 per 100 kWh block (3 c/kWh).
SPS will build a second turbine if more than 80% of the power is
sold.  The wind resource in New Mexico is larger than California,
and a study by Pacific Northwest Laboratory says winds in the
state could generate 435 billion kWh a year (enough for 40
million households)

--

China Struggles For 'Green' Credibility
China is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (75% of
its primary energy is supplied from coal), but its plan to move to
green energy sources is hampered by budget cuts.  Coal plants
cannot be upgraded to cut sulphur emissions, and officials warn
that environmental protection in the power industry will hinder
economic development.  In addition to diversifying into nuclear,
China has installed 100,000 wind generators and has developed
research and development for biomass resources.

--

New Midwest Crop Comes Sweeping down the Plain
(condensed from the Christian Science Monitor)
There's a hot new crop popping up amid the corn rows and wheat
fields of America's heartland: It's called wind power.
>From North Dakota to Texas, hundreds of new high-tech
windmills dot the landscape, often standing more than ten stories
tall, with 80-foot propeller blades twirling above the crops below.
Farmers and other landowners are getting paid big money to put
these kinetic sculptures on their land. And, although it still
represents a tiny fraction of U-S energy, consumers are signing
up in record numbers to buy the non-polluting power.  Indeed,
insiders call the Midwest the Saudi Arabia of wind. And, in an
event big with symbolism, the first wind-turbine production plant
outside California officially opened in Illinois last week.
After years on the energy fringes as a California phenomenon,
wind is picking up steam. By this July, wind-power capacity will
have jumped 50% in 18 months. The trend is fueled by everything
from energy deregulation to big technological advances in
turbines to growing consumer desire for 'green' energy.
Windmills are already making money for farmers like Roger
Kadolph, who tills 1,000 acres near the northern Iowa town of
Clear Lake.  One blustery day last year, as he was driving his
combine through his soybeans, he got a call from a Florida-based
power company on his two-way radio and shouted above the 50
mph winds outside. After a discussion, Kadolph signed a 30-year
lease and, one year later, eight towering turbines are spinning
high above his crops, part of a 56-turbine project funded by
FPL-Energy that is spread over 2,110 acres.  Each turbine
produces enough energy for 300 homes at a cost between 3.5
and 5 cents per kilowatt hour ... more expensive than coal energy
at 2.5 cents ... but a big improvement from the 38 cents that wind
cost in 1980. New turbines can generate power in less wind than
ever before, as slow as 9 mph.  Industry advocates hope that
within ten years, wind will be cheaper than energy produced by
coal and other fossil fuels.  Meanwhile, supporters tout the
pollution-free nature of wind power.
One problem with turbines is that blades tend to kill birds. And
while new models are sleeker and less noisy, many communities
have ordinances preventing turbines from being built within 1,000
feet of homes.  Back in Iowa, Kadolph won't say how much his
paid to lease his 30-square-foot plots around his property, but the
fee covers monthly payments on a new truck.  Per square foot,
"they're making as much money as if they grew gold out there,"
says Joe Marchese, the project's manager, and the rush is to
complete windfarms by June 1, when a federal subsidy of 1.8
cents per kilowatt hour expires.
Meanwhile, as more states deregulate their power industries,
some are including green-friendly requirements. Eight states
have 'portfolio energy standards' that set minimum standards for
the amount of green power available.  Consumers are showing
more interest in such power, too, although it adds $15 to $25 per
month to their bills. In Colorado, 11,000 homes and businesses
have signed up for wind power; in Wisconsin, 6,800.  These
numbers represent only a tiny fraction of U-S energy consumers,
but even former skeptics like Iowa farmer Delbert Watson are
beginning to see wind as the way of the future.  The five turbines
on his land are the biggest change he's seen in 40 years of
farming.  "Now we grow corn on the ground and generate power
in the air ... all on the same piece of property."
(condensed from the Christian Science Monitor)
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1999/03/09/p2s2.htm

--

Study Says Nuclear is on a 'Slow Slide to Oblivion'
The nuclear industry "is experiencing a meltdown of historic
proportions," says the WorldWatch Institute.  Nuclear power grew
700% in the 1970s and 140% in the 1980s, but less than 5%
during the 1990s.  Generating capacity fell by 175 MW in 1998,
to 343,086 MW (17% of world electricity).  The study says
nuclear capacity costs $4,000 per kW, compared with $1,000 for
wind.  In 1998, 429 reactors were operating, but no new units
have been ordered in the U-S since the 1979 TMI accident, and
six reactors have shut down since 1996.  Seven of Canada's 21
reactors are laid up, and the International Energy Group predicts
that one-third of reactors in North America may shut down in the
next five years.  The 1986 explosion at Chernobyl generated anti-
nuclear opinion in Europe; in France, 60% of respondents say
renewable energy is a priority (7% for nuclear), and the national
utility has started to invest in microturbines and wind power.
Details: http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/990304.html

--

Nuclear Power is Dying Across Europe
Once viewed as the answer to Europe's energy problems,
nuclear power is starting to look elsewhere as environmentalists
take power in national governments.  The Greens party in
Germany is the best-known anti-nuclear force, but they are
making their demands known in Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.
They face a battle in Britain (where 12 reactors generate 30% of
electricity and employ 30,000 people), in France (78% of power
from 41 reactors) and in former communist countries which
depend on Soviet reactors for power.  When Austria banned
nuclear in 1978, it abandoned a new $4 million plant.  Italians
approved an anti-nuclear policy in 1987, closing three reactors
and stopping construction on a fourth.  Sweden gets half its
electricity from 12 reactors, but agreed in 1997 to start shutting
down nuclear plants, and Switzerland will shut down four
reactors, which provide 40% of its electricity.  By forcing nuclear
plants off line, the Greens want to encourage renewable sources
of energy, but opponents say alternative energies are impractical
and economically unfeasible.
Details:  http://www.canoe.ca/
             /CNEWSFeaturesArchive/990102_nuclear.html

--

Status of U-S Electricity Deregulation by State
DoE shows the status of utility deregulation activity.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/
               /electricity/chg_str/tab5rev.html
DoE also posts information on generating capability in each state
that is deregulating, to show generation, revenues, fuel use,
capacity factor, pollutant emissions, and price per kWh.  Data are
shown for utilities and nonutilities.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/
               /electricity/st_profiles/e_profiles_sum.html

--

Software Available for Building Green
CREST has released its Green Building Advisor software, for
architects who want to evaluate environmental opportunities at
specific projects or to learn about green design.  The program
shows specific design strategies to improve environmental
performance and cost-effectiveness of all phases of a building.
Details:  http://solstice.crest.org/software-central/gba

--

Energy Tidbits
-  Keystone Energy Services will use a New York investment firm
to raise $640,000 in equity, so the green supplier can add more
customers to its 'EarthChoice' renewable power option.
-  Work has started on the Gongboxia Hydroelectric Station on
the upper Yellow River, which will have five generation units with
combined capacity of 1.5 million kWh.  Thirteen hydro stations
will be built on the upper Yellow River.
-  China has instituted a system of mediation to settle contract
disputes at many large hydro-electric construction sites, using a
mediation data bank and standard mediation practices.
-  Applied Power, a subsidiary of Idaho Power, has purchased
Alternative Energy Engineering of California, a distributor of solar
and wind products.  AP provides PV systems and has acquired
Solar Electric Specialties and Ascension Technology, in its plan
to expand in the renewable energy industry.
- The German government will try to block construction of two
nuclear power plants in the Ukraine, and may cut assistance to
Ukraine if it completes the replacements for the Chernobyl plant.
- India has started construction of two 2,000 MW thermal power
plants in Bihar, which will each consume ten million tonnes of
coal each year, and 9,000 cubic metres an hour of water.
-  U-S energy secretary Bill Richardson will meet officials from 46
African nations at a session to discuss energy investment and the
development of clean energy sources.
-  Peco Energy says monitoring systems at a nuclear plant in
Pennsylvania crashed for seven hours last month as the utility
conducted tests for Year 2000 computer problems.
-  The Municipality of Milan will work with Edison (Italy's private
energy producer) and AEM (city utility) to operate a fleet of 100
electric vehicles powered by zinc-air batteries, from Electric Fuel
Corp (http://www.electric-fuel.com/news/990309.htm)
-  Ohio may deregulate its power sector by 2001, with a 'kilowatt
hour tax.'
- A study by the Gas Research Institute of four cities (Atlanta,
New York City, Oklahoma City, Toronto) indicates that 17% of
residences have installed at least one carbon monoxide alarm.
- A study by Andersen Consulting says natural gas will dominate
Europe's power industry, with 40% generated by gas by 2010,
compared with 10-15% now.
-  Consumers will turn to coops for energy services, if electric
utilities stop serving all their customers, says the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association (http://www.nreca.org/news).
- A U-S survey indicates that residential consumers will buy more
services from their electricity provider, and there is strong interest
from less-affluent customers who have changed their telephone
company (http://www.rksresearch.com/rksnews/content.htm).
-  Thermal power plants of less than 50 MW in China
(representing total capacity of 14 million kW) will be shut down by
2004.  Almost 8 million kW of that total will be close by next year.
-  Manitoba Hydro will buy Centra Gas for $245 million.  Centra
Gas has 240,000 customers; government-owned Manitoba Hydro
has 12 hydro generating sites, two thermal and six diesel sites.
-  Commonwealth Edison's 'Student Power 2000' program will
involve 1,600 students in the development of energy efficiency
plans for catholic schools in Chicago.
-  Oil is competing directly with natural gas, and the DoE predicts
that prices will decline to $11.05 a barrel this year, down from
$12.13 in 1998.  In 2000, there will be a 24% increase in oil
prices.  Oil prices are driving all power prices down; in New
England, power prices have dropped below $20 per MWh.
-  The growth of electricity demand in the U-S in 1998 was 3.1%,
but DoE predicts 1999 growth will be closer to 1%, or 2% if next
winter is very cold.


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TRENDS is designed as a 'heads up' overview of renewable
energy in Canada and around the world.  Further details or
contact information are not available at this time.

Back issues are posted on  http://www.renewables.ca

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
      Bill Eggertson
           We CARE
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Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 07:46:41 -0800
From: Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <BruceDP@...>
Organization: EV List Editor, eaaev.org Board
Subject: AELN(PV balance-of-system equipment for utility PV power systems)

AELN(PV balance-of-system equipment for utility PV power systems)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
Applied Power Corporation and Ascension Technology Join Forces
LACEY, Wash., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Power Corporation (APC)
today announced the acquisition of Ascension Technology, Inc. (ATI) of
Waltham, MA. and Boulder, CO.  The acquisition of ATI is intended to
strengthen APC's presence in the growing utility-interconnected
photovoltaic (PV) power system market, expand its PV system
engineering and development capabilities, and establish offices on the
East Coast and in Colorado.

Ascension Technology was formed in 1987 by former MIT research
engineers to apply their experience in solar power generation and its
applications for the electric utility industry.  Since its inception,
Ascension Technology, led by Dr. Edward Kern, has been a leader in the
design and fabrication of PV balance-of-system equipment for utility
interconnected PV power systems, completing numerous projects for
electric utilities, photovoltaic companies, and government agencies.

The company has developed a number of proprietary products, including
the first complete Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) listed PV systems, UL
listed PV Source Circuit Protection equipment, rotating shadowband
pyranometer data acquisition instrumentation systems, and its
SunSine(TM) 300 AC photovoltaic modules.  Kern will continue his role
with the company and will join the APC Board of Directors.

Tim Ball, president of APC, remarked, "The purchase of Ascension
Technology furthers our ongoing commitment to the commercialization of
renewable energy and photovoltaic power in utility based applications.
Ascension's unparalleled engineering, manufacturing, and installation
experience in this market significantly increases our ability to
effectively meet the needs of this growing segment."

Kern commented, "Joining forces with Applied Power will help Ascension
Technology serve its utility industry customers with increased
manufacturing and product support capabilities.  This new relationship
will support the fast growing demand for our utility applications,
allowing us to keep our focus on new product development and testing.
It will also help us to serve our customers' needs for off-grid
electric service by tapping into Applied Power's wealth of experience
in remote power systems."

Applied Power Corporation Background

APC, a subsidiary of Idaho Power, an IDACORP company, is North
America's leading photovoltaic system provider bringing clean energy
to industry, businesses, utilities, homeowners and government.  APC
has a wide dealer network to supply renewable energy products and has
over seventeen years experience in System Design, Engineering and
Installation, Project Development, Training, Consulting, and
Financing.  Corporate headquarters are in Lacey, Washington with
offices throughout Northern and Southern California. News releases and
other information about Applied Power Corporation are available via
APC's World Wide Web address at http://www.appliedpower.com.

SOURCE  Applied Power Corporation CO:  Applied Power Corporation;
Idaho Power; IDACORP; Ascension Technology,      Inc.  ST:
Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado IN:  UTI SU:  TNM 03/01/99 16:00
  ...
  http://www.prnewswire.com/  nina_drucker@...
(c)1998 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.  Fax# 415-543-3555,
Tel# 415-543-7800, 71 Stevenson, Suite 1120, SF, CA 94105 USA
Please provide your name, company, city and state so we can direct
your request to our appropriate bureau.
  ---
          ____          {Statements may not be my Employer's}
       __/o|__\~        EVangel: messenger bringing good news
=)---'@ -----@'      'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
132V S-10 Blazer http://members.aol.com/brucedp/  BruceDP@...
Electric Vehicle List Editor      http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
EAA San Jose EVents Officer           http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/
Renewable Energy News contributing Editor   EV & AE List sysop
         % Use Renewable Energy to charge your EV %



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[1]                                EV WORLD UPDATE
                                     http://evworld.com
                                  Week of  7 March 1999

WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK ON EV WORLD...
Getting America Back In The Race
How EVs Helped Revitalize Downtown Chattanooga
EV Global Motors Correction
Lost Email Address
What's Next ?  Armored Personnel Carriers?


++++++++++++++++ ELECTRIC BICYCLE SHOP ONLINE  ++++++++++++++++++++
Take your pick!  Move to California and lease an EV for $450 a month for the
next 36 months or stay where you are and buy one for under $1000 at the
Electric Bicycle Shop!  Check It Out @ http://evworld.com/electricshop/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GETTING AMERICA BACK IN THE RACE
Martin Koebler has a dream.  He and his team of engineers at SolarMotions
want to put America back in the race. Specifically the World Solar Car
Challenge scheduled to run this coming October from Darwin to Adelaide,
across the lonely Outback of Australia.  No US car maker since GM in 1987
has sponsored a solar car entry in the "Super Bowl" of solar car races....
and it shows!  In the last two outings, Honda has dominated the event...
but then they should, given the sums of money they are alleged to have
spent. Koebler and SolarMotions are determined to change that... with a lot
of help from some friends.  Listen to how he plans to do this this week on
EV World.

HOW EV'S HELPED REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA
City planner Bob Taylor discusses how electric shuttle buses have helped
turn a deteriorating downtown into a thriving mecca for shoppers and out of
town visitors in this 27 minute REALAUDIO presentation from the November,
1998 EV Conference in Chattanooga.

EV GLOBAL MOTORS CORRECTION
Last week I wrote that EV Global Motors would begin shipment of their first
production E-Bikes to their network of 600 dealers.  George Fettig, EVG's
marketing director, asked me to make a correction.  The company does not
have 600 dealerships at this time. That is its goal. Instead the company is
focusing initially on sales  in California, Arizona, Hawaii and Florida.

LOST EMAIL ADDRESS
Last week an author of a soon to be released book on EVs contacted me about
an interview.
Unfortunately, I erased his email before I could answer it.  I don't recall
his name, but
if that author is on the EV World Update list, I very much want to do that
interview. Please
contact me again and my apologies for no answering your inquiry.

+++++++++++++++++++++ SPONSORS MESSAGE +++++++++++++++++++++
EV World is hosted through the generous support of Information Analytics.
If you need affordable web hosting services, programming and more, be
sure to include them in your development plans. http://www.4w.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHAT'S NEXT?  ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS?
Ford Motor Company's announcement that it would begin selling the 19 feet
long, 7 foot-high, 4.5 ton behemoth called the Excursion didn't set well
with many environmentalists. I can't say I was over joyed either. I suppose
the marketing wizards at Ford have figured out there's a market for this
bruiser, but I am reminded of what Dr. Paul MacCready told me in an
interview a short time back.  He said it seems we find ourselves in what
amounts to an escalating "arms race" (my words) of SUVs that just keep
getting bigger and bigger. (Isn't that kinda what happened with dinosaurs,
if I reminder my paleontology correctly?)

Well,  you know darn well that GMC isn't going to take this shot across its
Suburban bow without an answering salvo.  I can see it now... the "Super
Suburban" -- all 21 feet of her, 7.5 feet high and grossing over 5 tons and
powered by twin V-8s for extra battleship towing power. And you know,
sooner or later DaimlerChrysler is going to have to respond.  How about a
22 foot, V-12 Dodge "PowerCruiser" (or does ChrisCraft use that name?  I
forget).  Toyota then responds with its "Godzilla Landcruiser" and so it
goes.

Okay....to its credit,  Ford claims the Excursion is one of the cleanest
SUVs around. But come one folks, it still belches tons of CO2, consumes 44
gallons a fuel at a profligate 10 mpg, and will, most likely, be driven
most of the time with 1 person on board.

Of course, we've been down this road before.  At the turn of the century --
the last one -- the Krupp family of Germany made their fortune selling
canons and battleship armor to mutual antagonists.   They'd sell one navy
the latest canon and another navy the armor to defeat that canon.  You can
guess where that race led.... straight to the battle of Jutland.

So, where is our new  sport utility vehicle "arms race" going to lead us?
If I can convince the Army to let me have a few surplus APCs,  I'd almost
be willing to bet someone out there would want one just so they could have
the biggest, meanest SUV on the block.  Talk about traction and security!
It would be the ultimate "Get-Away-From-Them-All" SUV. 'Course, then I'd
have to offer his neighbor a surplus Abrams M1 battletank.  On second
thought, maybe the Russians will sell me a few of their surplus....

I can only hope that Ford puts as much effort into marketing the Th!nk as I
know they will into the Excursion.  I don't want to wish anything bad on my
friends at Ford... but for all of our sakes, I really hope they have
another Edsel on their hands.

Until next week....  stay plugged into EV World.

Best wishes,

Bill Moore





                      EV WORLD -- http://evworld.com
        ------------------------------------------------------------
           Advanced Vehicle Technology News, Interview & Previews
                  Published Weekly By Digital Revolution
                               [402] 339 9877



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Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 16:16:58 -0800
From: Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <brucedp@...>
Subject: AELN(Pakistan solar geographically ideal, Zimbabwe's $10M solar aid)

AELN(Pakistan solar geographically ideal, Zimbabwe's $10M solar aid)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
RS - Business Recorder (BZRC) Pakistan urged to make use of solar
energy RECORDER REPORT 03/05/99 Copyright (C) 1999 Business Recorder;
Source: World Reporter (TM)

ISLAMABAD : Masahiro Sawauchi, Director-General of Japan Trade
Organisation, has said that geographically Pakistan is ideally located
for solar energy, which may be a potential supplementary energy in the
country.  Sawauchi was delivering his speech at the seminar on
'Photovoltaic Conversion Technology' here on Thursday.

He said that to fill Pakistan's energy gap among available
conventional and non-conventional energy resources the role of solar
energy cannot be ignored.  "It is now time that Pakistan makes use of
this untapped energy resource and to develop solar energy as
alternative source of energy, as presently the conventional energy
resources are of low cost but on the contrary the cost which will have
to bear in the form of environmental degradation is unimaginable," he
said.

Sawauchi was of the view that by utilisation of solar energy by
converting it into electrical power for the remote and isolated areas
of the country was a viable options.  "With the prospects of energy
gap in the country before the end of the century, the eventual need to
develop renewable sources of energy is beyond serious contention.
Immediate alternatives which come to the mind are nuclear energy,
geothermal energy and solar energy," Sawauchi said.
  ...
  http://www.brecorder.com/   editor@...
Business Recorder  Phone: 92(21)7210071, Fax: 7228644
531 Business Recorder Road, Karachi 74550, Pakistan
  ===

RS - Xinhua English Newswire (XNHN) Italy provides Solar Aid Project
to Zimbabwe 03/03/99 (Copyright 1999)

Zimbabwe's Ministry of Transport and Energy  Wednesday said it has
received 10 million U.S. Dollars form the Italian company, ANIT, for
rural solar electrification program under a commodity aid agreement.
The ministry said in a statement that under this agreement only
Italian  companies could bid to supply and install photovoltaic
systems to 510 rural  schools and clinics throughout the country.

"The Ministry is confident that the successful implementation of this
solar project will help to transform the development of our rural
areas and  help improve the quality of their lives," the statement
said.

"The government hopes that this project will serve as a model to other
developing countries and justify Zimbabwe's leadership position in the
World  Solar Commission," the Ministry said.  The project was within
the framework of the World Solar Program launched  in 1996 to stretch
to 2005.
  ...
  http://www.china.com/   info@...   sales@...
Copyright 1998, Xinhua English Newswire. All rights reserved.
Xinhua News Agency of China    Tel:  86-10 63071114,
POmail: 57 Xuanwumen Xidajie, Beijing 100803, China
  ---
          ____          {Statements may not be my Employer's}
       __/o|__\~        EVangel: messenger bringing good news
=)---'@ -----@'      'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
132V S-10 Blazer http://members.aol.com/brucedp/  BruceDP@...
Electric Vehicle List Editor      http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
EAA San Jose EVents Officer           http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/
Renewable Energy News contributing Editor   EV & AE List sysop
         % Use Renewable Energy to charge your EV %



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Date: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 14:50:19 -0500
From: Bill Eggertson <eggertson@...>
Organization: Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
Subject: TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES,     issue #70  for March 8

TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES
         issue #70  for March 8

A 'heads up' overview of renewable energies.

Forward TRENDS to colleagues; subscription is free.
Archives posted at  http://www.renewables.ca.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IN THIS ISSUE:

Solar Power Plant Explodes in California
Major Australian PV Project is Launched in the Philippines
Green Power Supplier Offers Discount
EV Charge Comes from Solar
U-K Offers Green Power at Normal Tariff
Philippines Studies Mini-Hydro Project
New Hydro Site on Yellow River Starts Construction
Environmental Group Attacks British Nuclear Advocate
New Hydro Project Planned in Uganda
More California Churches Adopt Green Electricity
Government Contract in Australia Includes Renewables
Argentina and Uruguay Study Wind Energy
World Solar Cycle Challenge is Gearing Up in Australia
Demand for Wind Units Prevents Official Opening of New Plant
BPA to Generate Power for New Co-op Customers
Japanese Generator Wants Storage Heating and Cooling
Wind Power -- Ancient Ideas for New Markets
U-S Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Energy Savings at Facilities
Gas and Electric Groups to Commercialize Fuel Cells
Funds Given For U-S Fuel Cell and Engine Research
Canada's Production of Oil and Gas Increases in 1998
U-S to Seek Credits for Early Action on GHG Emissions
Energy Tidbits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Solar Power Plant Explodes in California
A 700,000-gallon tank of Therminol chemical at a solar plant near
San Bernardino exploded and burned; no-one was injured.  The
fluid is heated to 850o on solar panels, then piped through a heat
exchanger to create steam for the electric turbines.  The facility is
privately owned, but is located near Southern California Edison's
Solar 2 plant.

--

Major Australian PV Project is Launched in the Philippines
More than 1,000 packaged photovoltaic systems have been
installed in 50 towns in eastern Samar, under a project funded by
Australia's international development agency.  BP Solar Australia
is managing contractor for the project, the largest of its type in the
world.  The systems are part of the four-year Municipal Solar
Infrastructure Project that started in 1997, to provide power for
water systems, schools, and community buildings.  Local
residents have been trained to maintain solar batteries and to
reserve funds for future maintenance.

--

Green Power Supplier Offers Discount
California energy provider, cleen 'n green, will offer its 'EcoSave
Power' option as its only choice, to be sold at a discount to utility
rates.  In the one year since deregulation, the maturing market
allows companies to generate renewable power to be sold at a
lower price.  cleen 'n green purchases power from independent
generators, allowing state credits to be reflected in lower prices.
At least 20% of EcoSave comes from new renewable generation.

--

EV Charge Comes from Solar
Electric vehicles in Germany and the Netherlands can charge
their batteries with solar energy, at special stations owned by
Royal Dutch Shell.  Two stations in Hamburg will feed electricity
into the grid when cars are not recharging, while the power at two
Dutch stations will be supplemented by grid power.  Shell plans
to build eight more solar stations this year in Germany.

--

U-K Offers Green Power at Normal Tariff
Ecotricity is the first company in Britain to offer electricity from
renewable energy sources without a premium price.  The joint
venture of Renewable Energy and the Thames Water utility, will
generate power from solar, wind, hydro, landfill gas, and waste
under the government's Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation.  Energy
Minister John Battle says it shows that renewables can compete
in the open market.  The government's NFFO scheme is to
generate 10% of Britain's power from renewables by 2010.

--

Philippines Studies Mini-Hydro Project
An electric cooperative may develop the Kabacan River to obtain
an alternative source of energy that reduces dependence on the
National Power Corporation.  The mini-hydro power plant would
cost 500 million pesos, and have capacity of 7.2 MW.

--

New Hydro Site on Yellow River Starts Construction
Work has started on the Gongboxia hydroelectric generating
station on the upper reaches of the Yellow river, where five units
will generate 1.5 million kW.  This is the fourth facility of 13 to be
built on the upper reaches of the Yellow River.

--

Canadian R+D to Improve Manufacturing of Turbine Blades
PH Composites of Ontario will spend $260,000 to improve the
process for the manufacturing of composite wind turbine blades.
Composite manufacturing is done by a hand lay-up process, and
this research will investigate alternate processes to decrease
costs and improve performance and quality.  PH Composites
manufactures blades for turbines between 25 and 750 kW.

--

Environmental Group Attacks British Nuclear Advocate
A British Cabinet Minister is opposing a small windfarm in
Cumbria, although wind power is endorsed by his own
government as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and to meet the goal for renewable energies.  The local politician,
Jack Cunningham, has told a public inquiry that he opposes the
plan by Powergen Renewables to install seven turbines on an old
mining site.  Friends of the Earth supports the project for its green
energy contribution and for the use of an old industrial site, and
says Cunningham supports nuclear power.

--

New Hydro Project Planned in Uganda
After reviewing work at the Owen Falls power project, the World
Bank may fund another two 40 MW generators.  This expansion
would increase output of the dam to 200 MW, to offset Uganda's
capacity shortage of 40 MW.  Three 40 MW turbines were
planned for the $125 million Power III Project.

--

More California Churches Adopt Green Electricity
Another Episcopal church will switch to green power, the seventh
since last October when the Diocese directed 87 parishes in the
state to buy renewables.  The decision by All Souls Episcopal of
Berkeley to purchase electricity from Green Mountain Energy
means that the church receives a $250 donation from GMER,
along with another $20 for each parishioner that buys green.
"We invite people of all faith to join with us in cutting greenhouse
gas emissions by investing in energy efficiency and by buying
renewable energy resources generated from God's gifts, the wind
and sun," said a church official.  The church will not choose a
specific product until an energy audit is completed, but expects to
select 'Wind For The Future' that offers new wind and existing
geothermal, biomass and small hydro generation.  Parishioners
are encouraged to perform energy audits and GMER will provide
a CD-ROM at services to calculate savings, and how much
renewable energy can be purchased with those savings.  The
Bay Area churches want to sign 3,800 parishioners, which will
allow GMER to erect a new turbine that will be exclusively
supported by members of the Episcopal faith.

--

Government Contract in Australia Includes Renewables
Queensland state has awarded a $1.2 million contract to Ergon
Energy to supply electricity to seven government buildings in
Brisbane's central business district.  Some of the power will come
from mini-hydro and landfill gas.  Ergon will also identify areas
where power consumption can be reduced, to increase efficiency
and savings.

--

Argentina and Uruguay Study Wind Energy
Governments in South America want to increase electricity from
wind power, and Greenpeace has launched a major campaign to
use the momentum generated by the conference on Climate
Change that took place in Buenos Aires.  At that time, Argentina's
Parliament passed a law to develop wind energy, but it requires
executive approval before it comes into force.  Greenpeace is
promoting the intensive use of wind to generate 3,000 MW by
2010 (70% of total electricity in Argentina).  The project would
cost $3 million over 12 years, but would displace the emission of
26 million tonnes of CO2 and generate 15,000 new jobs.
In Uruguay, the state University has completed experiments on
producing wind power in the south-central region, and two pilot
programs have been launched east of Montevideo in the
Caracoles and Animas mountain ranges.

--

World Solar Cycle Challenge is Gearing Up in Australia
The 1999 solar race of 1,526 km from Alice Springs to Adelaide,
will see cycles with aerodynamic techniques and advanced
composite materials used by Formula racing teams, with the
power systems and PV technology developed by the space
industry.  The World Solar Challenge from Perth to Adelaide is
for cars, and the cycle challenge allows groups with smaller
budgets to compete and to combine solar energy with human
power.  The only British entry, from engineering students from a
university in Southampton, has been tested in a wind tunnel and
will achieve an average speed of 40 mph.
Details:  http://www.solarcycle.co.uk

--

Demand for Wind Units Prevents Official Opening of New Plant
(condensed from the Chicago Tribune)
NEG Micon has opened its Champaign assembly plant near
Chicago to produce 23-ton turbines for electricity generation, the
second such plant in the U-S and the first out of California.  Since
last fall, the facility has shipped 56 turbines to a windfarm in Iowa
and is completing 47 turbines for Texas, 15 for Colorado and
eight for Wyoming, so it has not had time for an official ceremony
until now.  Capacity for wind electricity has increased 50% in the
past 18 months and, by this summer, hundreds of utility-owned
windfarms will be in operation.  Commonwealth Edison, the
largest nuclear utility in Illinois, is looking at wind power, although
no details have been released.
Although total U-S wind generation is less than the output from
two nuclear reactors, a manufacturing infrastructure (including
the Champaign plant) is being laid down, and a deregulated
power sector is creating a marketplace for renewable energy
sources.  Mainstream utilities are plunking turbines onto hilltops
to beat the July end of a federal subsidy of 1.5 cents per kWh
generated; extensions are included in a tax package to be
debated by Congress later this year.
A modern wind turbine generates 56 times more power than a
1980 model, and the cost of output has dropped 90%.  Former
100-foot towers are dwarfed by new 22-story units.  A European
company that manufactures turbine blades will open a plant in
North Dakota this spring, because that state is expected to
develop wind power into a $30 billion industry.
The strong winds in Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas peter out
by Iowa and Minnesota, leaving Illinois and Wisconsin with low
winds.  The Wisconsin legislature mandated four utilities to
generate at least 50 MW, but some are building more units than
ordered.  Madison Gas + Electric was told to produce 3 MW from
wind, but is putting up 11 MW and introducing net metering.
Details:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/splash/
                    /article/0,1051,SAV-9903020332,00.html

--

BPA to Generate Power for New Co-op Customers
Bonneville Power will supply electricity to 36,000 customers of
Flathead Electric Cooperative in western Montana with federal
hydroelectricity.  Flathead will purchase 40 MW until 2001,
making it one of BPA's biggest publicly-owned utility customers.
BPA is part of the U-S DoE, and markets hydroelectricity from 29
dams in the Columbia River Basin and northwest Montana.

--

Japanese Generator Wants Storage Heating and Cooling
Kyushu Electric Power wants customers to switch to storage-type
heating and cooling systems, to ease demand by using electricity
at off-peak hours and save 25% off daytime rates.  The firm will
invest up to six billion yen each year to provide equipment to
customers at no cost, and will offer 15-year contracts.

--

Wind Power -- Ancient Ideas for New Markets
(condensed from the Worldwatch Report)
The first windmills for grinding grain appeared in Persia more
than 1,000 years ago, and later spread as far as China and
northern Europe, where the Dutch developed the massive
machines for which the country is still known.
As the oil age emerged in the 20th century, wind power appeared
to become a footnote in the history of energy technology but, in
the 1970s, Danish companies invented a machine with three
propeller blades that pointed upwind on a steel tower. The latest
versions have variable pitch blades that reflect wind speed.
The blades, which can be as long as 40 meters, spin in winds as
low as 15 kilometers per hour. They maintain a relatively slow
and constant speed, though new electronic variable-speed drives
allow blade speed to vary, increasing efficiency.
The 1998 wind energy boom was led by Germany, which added
790 MW, pushing its capacity to 2,875 MW ... nearly double the
total capacity in the U-S.  Germany's wind industry is only seven
years old (a 1991 electricity reform law was motivated in part by
the Chernobyl nuclear disaster) but, already, wind produces as
much as two large coal-fired plants, or about 1% of the country's
electricity. In northern Schleswig Holstein, wind provides 15% of
power, and will supplant nuclear as the leading source of power.
One notable development in 1998 was the emergence of Spain
as the number-two player in the wind industry. Spain added 395
MW of wind power last year, which pushed total wind capacity up
86% to 850 MW.  Robust wind energy plants have sprung up in
Navarra, northwest Galicia, and near Gibraltar, and Spain could
soon surpass Germany as the world's leading wind producer.
Wind generation also expanded in the U-S last year, where 230
MW of capacity was added, in the largest increase in wind power
since 1986. The installations are spread across ten states,
including a 107 MW windfarm in Minnesota, a 42 MW site in
Wyoming, a 25 MW farm in Oregon, and many small projects.
Unlike the erratic ups and downs of the U-S industry, Denmark
has maintained a steady pace, with 235 MW of capacity in 1998
pushing Denmark's total capacity to 1,350 MW, or 8% of the
country's power.  Danish wind companies dominate the global
export market, manufacturing more than half of new turbines, and
Danish companies are involved in joint-venture manufacturing in
India and Spain.  The Danish wind industry had a turnover of
almost $1 billion in 1998, which is equal to the combined sales
value of the nation's natural gas and fishing industries.
(Copyright by Worldwatch Institute;
distributed by The Los Angeles Times Syndicate)
Details:  http://www.enn.com/features/
                  /1999/03/030599/windpower_1989.asp

--


U-S Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Energy Savings at Facilities
DoE has awarded up to $1.5 billion to nine companies to
implement energy saving measures at government facilities under
Super Energy Savings Performance contracts.  Last July,
President Clinton directed federal agencies to reduce energy use
by 30% by 2005, and retrofits can include renewable energy
systems.  The National Gallery of Art and the U-S Coast Guard
are two of the first agencies to use the system.

--

Gas and Electric Groups to Commercialize Fuel Cells
The Gas Research Institute and Electric Power Research
Institute have formed a consortium to commercialize advanced
planar solid oxide fuel cells for decentralized power systems.
High power density is important to reduce the cost of fuel cell
technology, but a commercial product is several years away.  The
goal of planar SOFCs is to achieve total system cost of less than
$700/kW, with fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiencies of 47% to
65%.  Polymer electrolyte membrane technology is designed for
transportation, but GRI-EPRI say advanced SOFCs may leapfrog
PEMs through high-efficiency distributed power systems that
combine heat and power services to the stationary market.
Details:  http://www.epri.com   or    http://www.gri.org

--

Funds Given For U-S Fuel Cell and Engine Research
The DoE will award $70 million to 16 institutions to fund research
into advanced fuel cells and high-efficiency automotive engines.
The projects will develop fuel cell technology for use in cogen
applications in buildings, where the fuel cell is used to produce
heating and cooling, as well as electricity.

--

Canada's Production of Oil and Gas Increases in 1998
Production of crude oil increased 3.3% over 1997, with Hibernia
accounting for 3% of total production after one year of operation.
Canada's exports rose 9.5%, with 60% going to the U-S.  Natural
gas production increased 2.5% to a record 160 billion cubic
metres.  Exports (of which the U-S consumes 54%) rose 7.1%,
largely due to demand for electricity generation in the U-S.

--

U-S to Seek Credits for Early Action on GHG Emissions
Billions of dollars in credits for reducing carbon emissions would
go to U-S companies under legislation to be introduced in the
Senate.  The bill would encourage cuts in greenhouse gas
emissions now, rather than waiting until an international climate
change treaty takes effect.  Credits could be used to meet future
reduction requirements or be traded to companies that need
them.  Business endorses the proposed legislation, but
environmental groups criticize it for giving valuable credits
without ensuring meaningful cuts in GHG emissions.

--

Energy Tidbits
-  Ethiopia will experience power cuts during March while repairs
are made to the Fintcha hydroelectric station.
-  Development of wind power in Sweden will be delayed because
there is no money left in a national fund for grants in 1999.
-  Native groups in Quebec and Labrador will launch a campaign
to stop construction of two hydroelectric projects.
-  The Philippines may rehabilitate the 26 MW Talisay power
plant, which was built in 1985 but stalled when geothermal plants
started generating power.
-  ABB Power of Sweden is working with the Chinese government
to build a $1.5 billion, 2,500-km transmission line to supply China
with Russian electricity via Mongolia.  Russia has surplus
capacity in Siberia, and Beijing does not want to build coal power
plants due to environmental reasons.
-  China must relocate another two million people to allow
development of the Three Gorges Dam, the biggest hydroelectric
project in the world.
-  Kenya anticipates that it will be self-sufficient in generation
within three years, with more than 400 MW of capacity coming online.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES is circulated by the
Canadian Association for Renewable Energies.  A number of
news sources are used; CARE is not responsible for errors.

TRENDS is designed as a 'heads up' overview of renewable
energy in Canada and around the world.

Back issues posted on  http://www.renewables.ca

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
      Bill Eggertson
           We CARE
mailto:info@...



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From: SUN DAY Campaign <kbossong@...>
Subject: Sustainable Energy Coalition: "Weekly Update"
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 11:45:23 -0500


SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
"WEEKLY UPDATE"
March 7, 1999

The articles provided below were initially compiled during the past week by
the
SUN DAY Campaign (ph. 301-270-2258; fax: 301-891-2866) for the 36 member
organizations of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (list available upon
request).

Feel free to distribute this newsletter to others. In addition, please let
us know
of other U.S. organizations, businesses, or government agencies that would
like to be added to the e-mail list for this publication. This newsletter is
presently sent to over 750 organizations nationwide.

If you want any of the items we have offered to fax, please provide a
number for
a DEDICATED (i.e., one that will not be answered by a person), 24-hour FAX
line.


FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET & TAXES

1.) Fiscal Year 2000 Budget - Early Rumors:

We have received an unconfirmed report that congressional leaders are talking
about a FY'00 budget increase of 5 percent over FY'99 for the U.S. Department
of Energy's (DOE) energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) program. If
that eventually proves to be correct, it would bring EE/RE funding roughly
up to
the level it had achieved prior to the Republicans taking control of
Congress in 1995.

2.) Tax Report - Republican Initiatives:

On March 2, Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)
held a joint press conference to talk about targeted tax relief bills they
plan on
introducing next week.  They both mentioned the importance of Alternative
Minimum Tax relief, and Johnson spoke especially forcefully about the
importance of a permanent extension of the business R & D tax credits.
Johnson also noted that there were other provisions that she was open to, and
Grassley added that he had some "environmental" provisions that he was
intending to put in his package.  When asked, he said that the wind energy
production tax credit was the only one he had decided on so far, but that he
was planning on cosponsoring the bill with Sen. Feinstein, and he expected
that she might have some that she wanted to include. Johnson went on to point
out that the wind credit had been cosponsored by a majority of the Ways and
Means Committee members, and spoke quite encouragingly about its prospects.


3.) T.J. Glauthier - Nomination to be DOE Deputy Secretary:

On February 25, the Senate Energy Committee voted to approved T.J.
Glauthier's nomination as DOE's Deputy Secretary.  He had earlier served at
the Office of Management and Budget where he was a strong voice in support
of funding federal sustainable energy programs.  A date has not been set yet
for full floor action.


ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING

1.) Rep. Barton - Restructuring Legislation Plans:

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) is planning to have field hearings on utility
restructuring
during March. He and ranking member Rep. Ralph Hall (D-TX) may each host
one and there is the possibility that other committee members will also hold
field hearings. The hearings will focus on generic restructuring issues
rather
than on specific bills. Barton says he wants to work with committee Democrats
to fashion a "coalition bill"  and expects to mark up a bill in late May or
early
June. However, he reiterated his decision not to have any set-asides in the
bill
for renewable energy.  An article in  "Congress Daily" (March 3) reports that
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) is reintroducing this "states rights" deregulation
bill
which does not impose a date certain for competition and aims to protect the
restructuring laws passed by about 20 states thus far. The bill includes a
provision to remove the line-of-business restrictions in PUHCA and to
"reform"
PURPA. Thomas claims that Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) favors the
principles of his bill but he did not know if the chairman would cosponsor
it.
Last month, Murkowski said he would introduce a narrow bill in late March or
early April that would "deregulate where we can and streamline where we
can't."

2.) Restructuring Survey - Green Energy:

"Wind Energy Weekly" (March 1) reports that a new survey of 1,000 consumers
(including 250 in California) by the Yankee Group, a Boston-based consulting
firm, found that 25% of respondents say they would select an environmental
organization as a supplier if offered the option. In addition, more than
half of all
utility customers in the U.S. would switch from their current electricity
supplier
if offered a 10-15% discount in cost. For further info, see
<http://www.yankeegroup.com>.

3.) Deregulation May Increase Rural Rates:

The "National Journal" (March 5) reports that a draft Department of
Agriculture
study concludes that electricity deregulation could actually raise power
rates
for homeowners in 19 rural states. While deregulation could yield rate
reductions in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas, it would
cause
power costs to rise - and trigger a tumble in the gross domestic product - in
regions of the country that now have lower than average electric rates or are
served by rural electric cooperatives. The analysis predicted that
deregulation
would cause price hikes in Alabama, Idaho, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky,
Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The findings are likely to put a damper on
congressional attempts to pass a federal electricity deregulation bill --
particularly in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee which is
dominated by legislators from rural areas.


CLIMATE CHANGE

1.) AFL-CIO Issues Energy Statement:

In a 2-page AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement on U.S. Energy Policy
issued on February 17, the AFL-CIO "reaffirm[ed] its opposition to the Kyoto
Protocol" claiming that the treaty "could have a devastating impact on the
U.S.
economy and American workers ... implementation would significantly raise the
cost of all forms of energy, affecting workers in manufacturing,
transportation,
construction and service industries, as well as those involved in energy
production and distribution.  Economic forecasts have shown that more than
one million American jobs are at risk, energy prices could increase
significantly, and the United States will have created an additional
incentive for
American companies to locate offshore." Noting that "the licenses to operate
many of our nuclear and hydro electric facilities will expire" in the near
future,
the AFL-CIO concludes "we must maintain all current generating option,
including fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro, and renewables to ensure a stable,
reliable and low-cost supply of electricity for the United States." Let us
know if
you would like us to fax or e-mail you a copy.

2.) Climate Change Costs:

The "Washington Post" (March 1) notes that reporters covering the AFL-CIO
executive council meeting at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach during
Presidents' Day week received a fax from the business-backed Competitive
Enterprise Institute with a list of suggested questions the group thought
reporters should ask Vice President Al Gore about global warming when he
stopped by to visit the labor leaders. According to the article, "it was a
big
surprise to many reporters to learn when they checked out of the hotel that
they each had been charged $1 to receive the fax.  Chalk it up to the free-
enterprise system."

3.) Early Action Legislation Introduced:

On March 4, Senator John Chafee (R-RI) reintroduced his "credit for early
action" bill along with the original cosponsors, Sens. Joseph Lieberman
(D-CT)
and Connie Mack (R-FL). In response, six national environmental groups
including U.S. PIRG, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the National Environmental
Trust criticized the bill because it contains too many loopholes, does not
focus
on emission reductions within the United States, and allows for "unproven"
offsets.  They noted the bill would reward companies that close domestic
factories and shift pollution overseas; punishes newer, cleaner companies
relative to older, dirtier firms; relies too heavily on 'sequestration'
methods; and
extends a lifeline to the nuclear industry. Let us know if you want us to
fax you
the groups' 3-page news release or a separate 2-page release from Ozone
Action and eight other groups.

4.) Climate Change Environmental Impacts:

The "Washington Post" (March 5) reports that a State Department study has
found that record sea temperatures triggered the largest mass die-off of
tropical
corals in modern times last year, destroying in some areas more than 70% of
the reef-building creatures whose elaborate homes form the backbone of ocean
ecosystems. It suggests a combination of El Nino and global warming is to
blame and that recent trends suggest that the threat to coral reefs will only
increase with time. Further losses could have profound consequences for
biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism. In a separate report by NASA,
researchers
report that Greenland's ice sheet has thinned dramatically at the southern
and
eastern edges, many parts of which have lost three to six feet in thickness
per
year since 1993. Nearly all of the shrinkage found was at elevations below
4,900 feet, in the "peripheral regions which ... are likely to be most
susceptible
to climate change" the authors report in the current issue of the journal
"Science."


MISCELLANEOUS

1.) Solar Power Plant Accident:

The "Los Angeles Times" (February 27) reports that a storage tank exploded at
the Solar Energy Generating Station (SEGS I) solar power plant near Barstow,
California last Friday. The 900,000-gallon tank was holding a heat-transfer
fluid
called therminol - a hydraulic fluid that is heated to about 850 degrees
and run
through pipes to solar panels to help generate electricity. No injuries were
reported although the accident sent flames and billows of smoke into the sky
for hours forcing fire officials to evacuate a half-square-mile area around
the facility.

2.) New Photovoltaic World Record:

In a 2-page news release, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
researchers announced on February 25 that they had set a world record for
thin-film solar cell efficiency. The measurement of 18.8 percent efficiency
for
the copper indium gallium diselenide (CIS) cell topped the previous record,
also
set at NREL, by more than one percent. NREL added that "we can begin to
visualize the day when energy from the sun will be generating a significant
portion of the country's electric power demand."  Let us know if you would
like
us to fax you a copy of the release.

3.) Nuclear Waste Legislation:

The "Environment & Energy Update" (March 4) reports that House Energy &
Power Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) expects a full committee
markup and floor action on the nuclear waste bill H.R.45 within two weeks
of a
vote in the subcommittee; this means that the bill could pass the House by
mid-April. Barton has indicated that DOE Secretary Richardson's proposal to
have DOE take legal title to high-level nuclear waste as not viable and
just a
strategy to buy time. Public Citizen is circulating a proposed 2-page op-ed
that
activists may wish to use as the basis of letters submitted to their local
newspapers; let me know if you would like me to fax you a copy.

4.) Environmental Revolution:

In a 2-page article in the March/April issue of "World Watch Magazine,"
Lester
Brown suggests that "the world may be on the edge of an environmental
revolution comparable to the political revolution that swept Eastern
Europe. ...
[T]here are now some clear signs that the world is in the early stages of a
major shift in environmental consciousness." He notes, for example, that
"while
oil and coal use have expanded by just over 1% a year since 1990, the use of
solar cells has expanded by 16% per year and wind power by a prodigious
annual rate of 26%." Let us know if you would like us to fax or e-mail you a
copy or go to <http://www.worldwatch.org>.

5.) Cheap Oil Prospects:

A 7-page article, "Cheap Oil: The Next Shock," in the most recent issue of
"The
Economist"  suggests that the current low price for oil could drop even
lower --
perhaps as low as $5/barrel.  However, it suggests that, for a number of
reasons, low oil prices may not necessarily lead to increased oil use.  Let
us
know if you would like to see the article.

6.) TMI - 20th Anniversary:

For those who may want to sponsor a media or other event to mark the date,
note that March 28 is the 20th anniversary of the accident at the Three Mile
Island nuclear reactor near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

7.) Organizations Directory Available:

The SUN DAY Campaign has issued the fifth edition of its "National
Directory of
Sustainable Energy Organizations" which provides a zip-coded listing of 1,000
citizen groups and other non-profit organizations working on energy
efficiency,
renewable energy, and related environmental issues. Each entry provides the
group's name, address, and phone number; most include contact names and
fax numbers; a majority also include e-mail and/or web addresses and a brief
description of the group's activities. Copies of the 96-page directory
(hard copy
only) can be ordered for $18 (pre-paid) from SUN DAY, 315 Circle Avenue, #2;
Takoma Park, MD 20912-4836.

## END ##



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EV&AE(% Shell sells solar cells by the solution shore %, Shell EV
stations)
[POSTed on the Internet Alternative Energy List and Electric Vehicle
  List News. For Public Renewable Energy & EV informational purposes.
  Contact publication for reprint rights.]
  --- {EVangel} (by way of Don Devlin <ddevlin@...>)
Dow Jones Newswires -- March 4, 1999 Shell Opens First Solar Service
Stations; More Planned

LONDON -- Royal Dutch/Shell Group said Thursday it has officially
opened its first solar service stations, two in Germany and two in the
Netherlands, and will open eight more in Germany later this year.  The
company declined to reveal the investment involved.

At the new stations in Hamburg, Germany, drivers of electric vehicles
will be able to charge them up with solar electricity at a price of 42
pfennigs a killowatt hour. The rest of the solar power generated at
the site will go into the local grid. The project is being managed in
cooperation with Hamburgische Electriciteits-Werke AG (HEW) with which
Shell set up a 'green' electricity venture in February.

A Shell spokeswoman said that at least initially, the bulk of the
power generated at the two German sites would go into the grid, given
that the number of electric vehicles is still limited. The HEW fleet
is electrically powered, however, and those vehicles will use the
stations, she added.

At Meerkerk and Wezep in the Netherlands, the stations will use the
power generated themselves and will top up their requirements by
renewable electricity from the Dutch company Nuon NV provided over the
regional grid.

The four sites, each of which has an energy yield of 3,500 kilowatts a
year, will use different solar energy systems in order to test various
techniques for environmentally friendly power generation at industrial
locations, Shell said.

One of the German sites is fitted with a 'solar tracker', which is a
'collector' surface that moves round to track the position of the sun.
This increases the energy yield by about 30% compared to conventional
systems using the same number of solar cells, the company said.

All the panels used at the stations are made at Shell's photovoltaic
manufacturing site at Helmond, the Netherlands. Capacity there is
being increased to 10 megawatts this year. Shell's German PV
manufacturing site, in Gelsenkirchen, is scheduled to start up in the
third quarter of this year. It will also have a 10 MW capacity,
eventually rising to 20-25 MW.

Shell said the linkup between its downstream and retail businesses and
Shell Renewables is part of an ongoing drive "to find and develop new
business through new energy solutions."
  ...
  http://www.dowjones.com/
(c) 1998 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  ===

{From:  http://www.shell.com/library/press/0,1254,3577,00.html }

Shell opens solar service stations in Germany and Holland
Issued on Thursday 04 March 1999

Shell officially opened its first solar service stations today - two
in Germany and two in the Netherlands.

At the German solar service stations, based in Hamburg, drivers of
electric vehicles will be able to charge them with solar electricity
in return for a contribution to the costs. The rest of the solar power
generated will go to the local grid.

In the Netherlands, the service stations at Meerkerk and Wezep, in the
Netherlands, will use the power generated themselves.  They will need
to top that up, but in an agreement with electricity company, NUON,
the remaining power used will be exclusively provided from renewable
energy sources via the regional grid.

More solar service stations are planned - eight more will be opened in
Germany later this year. This link-up between Royal Dutch/Shell's
downstream and retail businesses and Shell Renewables is part of the
on-going drive to find and develop new business through new energy
solutions and by providing more services to our customers.

Willem Jan van Wijk, Chief Executive of Shell Solar, said: "Solar
power is beginning to play an increasing role in everyday use.  These
solar service stations represent a very tangible step for us to take
in improving the quality of the environment we live in.  Introducing
the use of solar power in our retail operations is a demonstration of
the Shell Group's commitment to sustainable development and to
developing commercial opportunities in the renewable energy market."

Pat O'Driscoll, president of Shell Retail International said: "This is
yet another step in our on-going commitment to developing innovative
products and service solutions for our customers. We particularly feel
that this is a leading edge development for customers of 'new age'
vehicles, while at the same time highlighting how renewable energies
can be utilised in different industrial settings."

The four sites will use different solar energy systems in order to
test various techniques for environmental friendly power generation at
industrial locations. One of the German sites, the Steilshooper Allee
service station, is fitted with a 'solar tracker'.  This is a special
'collector' surface which moves round to track the position of the
sun, providing 30% more energy yield than conventional systems with
the same number of solar cells.

Customers using the sites will also be able to obtain information
about solar power for domestic use and general information on
renewable energy.

Both projects are being managed in co-operation with regional
electricity companies, HEW (the Hamburg Electricity Works) and the
Dutch NUON company.

ENDS

Note to editors: Shell Renewables solar business produces one million
photovoltaic cells a year and 50,000 panels at its factory in Helmond,
the Netherlands, which employs 130 people. Capacity is set to increase
significantly during this year.

Shell's second solar factory - and set to be the world's largest - is
currently being constructed in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. It will produce
around 13 million solar cells a year.
  ---
          ____          {Statements may not be my Employer's}
       __/o|__\~        EVangel: messenger bringing good news
=)---'@ -----@'      'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
132V S-10 Blazer http://members.aol.com/brucedp/  BruceDP@...
Electric Vehicle List Editor      http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
EAA San Jose EVents Officer           http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/
Renewable Energy News contributing Editor   EV & AE List sysop
         % Use Renewable Energy to charge your EV %

'Web it Out':  http://www.shell.com/home/1,1337,,FF.html
  renewables@...



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AELN(SSPowerCo to produce Bio-Diesel from Mexican Plant, 7M gal/yr)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
Southern States Power Co. Buys Oil Extraction Plant In Mexico to
Produce Bio-Diesel

CHULA VISTA, Calif., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- BAT International
today issued the following release:

Southern States Power Company has purchased an oil extraction plant in
Mexico to produce bio-diesel for U.S. and Mexican markets in response
to new environmental protection laws.  The facility was designed with
state of the art equipment.  The plant is in excellent condition and
has only been in operation a total of 1000 hours.  Production capacity
is approximately 7 million gallons of oil/year, plus feed meal
by-product.  Details of location & purchase price remain confidential
for competitive reasons.

The plant is located on 3 hectares of land near a major city in
Mexico. Equipment in the plant includes oil extraction machinery, rail
siding for transportation, meal and seed/bean unloading and loading
equipment, oil storage tanks, boiler and steam generator equipment and
offices and labs.  The plant was purchased in late 1998.
Approximately 45 people were hired in early January to refurbish
electrical and mechanical equipment and paint buildings. The plant is
now fully refurbished and ready to enter into agricultural processing
in the near future.  SSPC has reached confidential agreements with the
farmers in the region to allow purchase of soybeans at a set price for
a 15 year period.  This will provide price certainty for raw material
supplies that will help insure plant profitability.

Several laws and air quality management agreements that are just going
into effect in 1999 will sharply impact demand for bio-diesel fuel:

  1. The California Air Resources Board recently ruled that small
     particulates are a toxic health hazard.  New fines for exceeding
     smoke limits will go into effect in April, 1999 that will lead to
     $5,000 fines for trucks on a second violation, and forfeiture of
     the truck for failure to pay.  Mexican trucks crossing the border
     to deliver in LA will be a focus of enforcement actions because
     engines & fuel are so dirty.

2. The Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century allows fleets or
    heavy duty equipment affected by alternative fuel mandates to meet
    requirements with a diesel engine vehicle operating on 20%
    bio-diesel, 80% petroleum.  Off-road heavy-duty equipment using
    alternative fuels will be given bid preferences and equipment
    operating advantages on highway construction contracts.  Funding is
    available in the bill for purchase of bio-diesel fuel and fueling
    facilities.

3. The Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor consists of interstate
    highway systems in four Western states (CA, AZ, NV, UT).  The
    states are working together to provide alternative fuel stations
    for trucks in the ICTC.  Many trucks may use bio-diesel,
    particularly in California to avoid smoke violation fines.

Bio-diesel fuel can be used in existing diesel engines with little or
no modifications as an alternative fuel.  Use of the fuel leads to
much lower emissions while also improving engine lubricity and
providing other benefits. The recent change in the alternative fuel
requirements that allows 20% bio-diesel to qualify will create a
strong demand among the more than 8 million fleet vehicles in the U.S.
All of these fleet vehicles will be impacted in the near future by
alternative fuel rules.  Some fleets such as federal, state and
utility fleets must purchase 75-90% alternative fuel vehicles starting
this year.  Bio-diesel is the lowest cost alternative fuel option for
many fleets because diesel vehicles can be utilized and fueling
infrastructure costs are very low compared to natural gas, ethanol,
methanol or electricity.  Over 12 million gallons of diesel fuel is
consumed daily in California alone.  Even a very small shift in the
consumption of diesel represents a tremendous market opportunity for
bio-diesel.

Southern States Power Company (SSPC) was formed in March, 1998 to
provide lower cost electric utility services to consumers in states
that are deregulating gas and electric utilities.  SSPC has
subsequently expanded business activities and formed several Divisions
and joint ventures to enter into composite auto manufacturing,
"Oxy-Green" fuel production and fuel cell development and
manufacturing (for more information see the SSPC web site at
www.sspowerco.com).

This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not
be used to make an investment decision.  Please refer to the SSPC web
site (www.sspowerco.com) and other sources for detailed information,
or call Michael Sealey at 318-221-5703.

SOURCE  Southern States Power Company CO:  Southern States Power
Company; BAT International ST:  California IN:  OIL UTI SU:  TNM
03/01/99 11:31 EST
  ...
  http://www.prnewswire.com/  nina_drucker@...
(c)1998 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.  Fax# 415-543-3555,
Tel# 415-543-7800, 71 Stevenson, Suite 1120, SF, CA 94105 USA
Please provide your name, company, city and state so we can direct
your request to our appropriate bureau.
  ---
          ____          {Statements may not be my Employer's}
       __/o|__\~        EVangel: messenger bringing good news
=)---'@ -----@'      'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
132V S-10 Blazer http://members.aol.com/brucedp/  BruceDP@...
Electric Vehicle List Editor      http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
EAA San Jose EVents Officer           http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/
Renewable Energy News contributing Editor   EV & AE List sysop
         % Use Renewable Energy to charge your EV %



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Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 21:04:43 -0500
From: Bill Eggertson <eggertson@...>
Organization: Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
Subject: TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES,  issue #69 for March 1

TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES
         issue #69  for March 1

A 'heads up' overview of renewable energies.

Forward TRENDS to colleagues; subscription is free.
Archives posted at  http://www.renewables.ca.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IN THIS ISSUE:
California Community Becomes First 'Green Power City'
Shell Launches Solar Project in South Africa
Solar Housing Community to be Developed in Arizona
U-S Government Wants Renewables on Indian Land
British PV Association Wants Help to Grow
Africa and America Work on Clean Energy
U-S Offers $1.3 Million to Improve Wind Turbines
Colorado Commits to More Wind
Mongolia Wants Electricity from Wind
Vermont Teams with DoE on Solar Roofs
U-S Company Picks Panel to Pursue Renewables
New Jersey to Include Measures for Renewables
DoE Report Shows Electricity Generation by Renewables
Hydro Plant Goes Online Finally
Geothermal Goes Ahead in China
Solar Energy Research Needs New Direction
Electricity Generation Drops in Canada
U-S Prepares for Utility Mergers
Canada Invests in Re-Fueling System for Fuel Cell Vehicles
Database Released on U-S Power Plants
Canada to Hold Meeting on Domestic CO2 Emissions Trading
Website Posted on Energy Security
Environmentalists Oppose Nuclear as "Green Energy"
France Backs Nuclear as Cheap and Clean
European Electricity Utilities Ready for Competition
U-S Utility Generation for November
Oil Giant says Oil's Time has Passed
Big Business Group Exhibits at Sustainable Energy Fair
Sale of Electricity May Fund Other Activities in Texas
Electric Generation Follows Price of Fuel
Energy Tidbits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


CORRECTION:  issue 68,  February 22
story:  DoE to Spend $500 Million to Promote Earth Energy
delete: "a $500 million national saving retrofit program"
change: "contracts could generate $500 million in work"
http://198.124.130.244/news/releases99/febpr/pr99018.htm

--

California Community Becomes First 'Green Power City'
Santa Monica is the first major city in the world to obtain all of its
electricity needs from renewable energy.  City Council voted
unanimously to purchase 5 MW of power from Commonwealth
Energy for municipal power needs for one year. Several green
power marketers were evaluated; officials say Commonwealth
offered the best price and greatest flexibility.  Power will come
from geothermal plants owned by Calpine (recently purchased
from PG+E).  The city will pay a 5% premium ($140,000) for
green energy, but had predicted $250,000.  Santa Monica has a
'Sustainable City Program' that includes energy efficiency
measures, electric vehicles, and PV installations.  The city now
will launch an education campaign to raise awareness of energy
use and its environmental impact, and to encourage people to
switch to green power providers.

--

Shell Launches Solar Project in South Africa
The world's largest commercial solar rural electrification project
has been launched by President Nelson Mandela in the eastern
cape region.  More than 50,000 homes will have electricity in a
project seen as a blueprint for introducing power to other rural
areas in Africa.  Shell Renewables and Eskom (South Africa's
national supplier) will run the project.  Eskom has electrified
1,340 schools and 100 rural clinics using power generated from
solar, wind and micro-hydro.  Customers will pay $30 to install a
Shell solar panel, a charge controlled battery, and metering unit,
and $8 a month for power.  The battery and PV panel will not
function without the matching control system, to reduce theft of
outdoor units.  Subsidies will not be used for this program, which
is being monitored for commercial replication.

--

Solar Housing Community to be Developed in Arizona
A 14-acre all-electric community in Tucson will use solar energy
for electricity, water and space heating for each of 100 houses to
be built.  Global Solar will supply thin-film PV material for
rooftops, and reduce consumption of Tucson Electric Power's
grid electricity by at least 75%.  House prices will range from
$80,000 to $150,000, with floorspace of 800-1,200 square feet.
Thermal mass walls and high-insulation windows will be included,
as well as separate water lines to reclaim water for irrigation.
Details: http://www.tucsonelectric.com

--

U-S Government Wants Renewables on Indian Land
The DoE will revise its policy and fund $1.8 million in projects to
develop the use of renewables on native-owned lands.  More
than 550 tribes will obtain access to energy resources, and will
help the U-S renewable energy market by providing data on
remote applications and creating jobs for native Americans.  A
solicitation seeks to advance commercially available renewable
energy technologies through 20 projects that demonstrate market
penetration of renewables, potential for job creation and
environmental benefits.  Funding is available for PV, wind,
biomass, hydro, concentrating solar, geothermal electricity,
geothermal direct uses, ground-coupled heat pumps and hybrid
systems.  Costs of at least 20% is required from non-federal
sources, and applications are due May 18.

--

British PV Association Wants Help to Grow
If the British photovoltaic industry is to achieve its goal of 15%
market penetration by 2010, it must invest up to 20% of sales
revenue (100 million pounds) to build new factories.  The PV
association wants measures that support the integration of solar
cells on buildings for embedded generation, with a direct grant of
50% towards the capital cost of domestic grid-connected PV
systems or tax relief on grid-connected systems, which would
reduce system cost by up to 45%.  Other suggestions include the
classification of building-integrated PV modules as 'plant' rather
than 'structural component' to accelerate tax write-offs, and a
government R,D+D of 8 million pounds a year, up from the
current 1 million pounds.  Renewables in Britain receive 100
million pounds a year from the Fossil Fuel Levy, and the
association proposes that 10% of those funds be allocated to PV.
Details: http://www.godshill.demon.co.uk/PV

--

Africa and America Work on Clean Energy
South Africa and the U-S will promote clean energy initiatives that
reduce GHG emissions and promote economic growth, with
emphasis on the promotion of renewable energies.  Washington
will fund projects to expand the availability of green power, and
will train entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector.

--

U-S Offers $1.3 Million to Improve Wind Turbines
The DoE is seeking partnerships to improve the performance of
small turbines for use in grid-connected or off-grid generation.
Wind is expected to play a major role in the transformation of
power generation, and three-year funding will provide technical
support to verify field performance of small turbines and evaluate
effectiveness in power applications, from water pumping to ice
making.  There will be support for turbine installation, operation
and performance verification, and independent testing by the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado.
Details:   http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicit.htm

--

Colorado Commits to More Wind
Public Service of Colorado will have 21 wind turbines by spring,
up from the current 15 units that generate 10 MW.  Almost 10,000
customers have subscribed to the 'Windsource' option, including
100 commercial customers such as IBM, Coors and the City of
Boulder.  Each turbine costs $800,000 and generates 700 kW.
PSC has spent $12 million on windfarms, and charges a premium
of $2.50 for residential customers.  Commissioning for the latest
units was six weeks behind schedule because excess wind
hampered construction.  Although Colorado is the eighth state in
terms of wind generation, PSC says 'Windsource' is the biggest
voluntary program compared with government-mandated
programs.  The second largest power provider in Colorado,
Tri-State Generation, is finalizing contracts to obtain power from
windfarms in Wyoming.

--

Mongolia Wants Electricity from Wind
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has 40 MW of installed
wind power capacity, and is importing eleven more U-S turbines
for $1 million.  In 1994, 32 units were imported for total capacity
of 16,300 kW, with loans from Denmark, the Netherlands and the
U-S.  Wind power capacity in Inner Mongolia will reach 200,000
kW (540 million kWh) by 2000.   China has 253 million kW of
wind resources, and wants to increase capacity to one million
kilowatts by 2000, including its current capacity of 200,000 kW.

--

Vermont Teams with DoE on Solar Roofs
The state of Vermont will add 1,000 roof-top solar systems under
the Million Solar Roofs Initiative.  The goal is to install one million
solar systems by 2010, either of PV electricity or solar thermal
panels.  Funding for partnerships is $600,000; so far, 14 partners
have pledged to install 700,000 systems.

--

U-S Company Picks Panel to Pursue Renewables
Full Power Group has wants to move into distributed generation,
where generation devices are connected to a utility's distribution
system.  The Florida firm says the timing is right, "given
consumers readiness to pay a premium for green power," to
investigate photovoltaics and wind turbines.

--

New Jersey to Include Measures for Renewables
Retail access starts in August in New Jersey, when utilities and
competitive suppliers must meet a renewables quota for power
sold in the state.  There are two classes of renewables: electricity
from solar and PV technologies, wind, fuel cells, geothermal,
wave/tidal action, and methane gas from landfills or sustainable
biomass; or energy from solid waste incinerators and certain
hydro facilities.  The renewables mix for Class 1 will increase to
4% by 2012.  Emissions data and fuel mix must be disclosed, and
net metering must be offered for wind or PV in residential and
small commercial sites at non-discriminatory rates.  Money
collected for demand-side management programs will be used to
fund Class I renewable energy programs and energy efficiency
(25% of renewables projects must be located in New Jersey).
After five years, funding for renewables programs will be at least
50% of DSM funds collected, up to $140 million.

--

DoE Report Shows Electricity Generation by Renewables
In 1995, renewable energy comprised 3% of U-S utility power
purchases, but it sold at above-average price.  The retail price
paid to other utilities was 3.53 c/kWh, but the price to non-utilities
for renewable electricity was as high as 9.05 c/kWh.  'Renewable
Energy Purchases: History + Recent Developments' shows that,
of $4 billion in renewables purchases in 1995, geothermal
received $993 million (for 10,198 million kWh of power), followed
by municipal waste at $961 m (for 18,966 mkWh) and wood at
$931 m (37,895 mkWh).  Conventional hydroelectric generated
$512 m in purchases (16,555 mkWh), wind made $339 m (3,400
mkWh), and solar received $124 m (903 mkWh).
Of the 17,172 MW installed renewable capacity at non-utility
facilities, wood was 7,053 MW, hydro 3,419 MW, municipal waste
3,063 MW, wind 1,670 MW, geothermal 1,346 MW, and solar
354 MW.
Details: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/

/page/renewright.html

--

Hydro Plant Goes Online Finally
Brazil has commissioned its second largest hydroelectric station,
the Sergio Motta facility on the Parana River, after 20 years of
construction and an investment of $11 billion.  Eighteen turbines
are powered by a 250 km reservoir, which was opposed by
environmentalists.  Construction was stopped for financial
reasons when the government was fighting inflation.

--

Geothermal Goes Ahead in China
The northwest region of China has dug its first geothermal well,
and is producing water at 68oC.  The use of geothermal in China
is growing at 12% a year, and there are 3,000 wells in 70 cities.
One well is more than 3 km deep, promises a lifespan of 30
years, and produces 1,680 cubic meters of water each day.

--

Solar Energy Research Needs New Direction
copyright:  Energy.com

Are solar energy companies in the developed world responding
appropriately to Third World needs?  No, says Clive Desmond of
Malaysia, who wrote "Solar Energy in the Third World: Is the
Tiger Sleeping, or Is the Tiger Dead?"  He focuses on the gap
between the photovoltaic cost breakthrough long promised by
western researchers and the reality that PV is becoming ever
more expensive.
What's the problem?  Desmond points to two reasons why the
dream of solar energy is as yet unrealized in the Third World:
Much western research focuses on reflectors and ways to
improve storage -- technologies needed in developed, primarily
northern-hemisphere countries where sunshine is intermittent and
indirect for much of the year.  That research is of little help to
most of the poor Third-World nations, where sunshine is
abundant. And, by failing to acknowledge the difference in
sunlight exposure, western researchers are also missing
opportunities to integrate PV technologies with far greater use of
passive solar for water heating and other applications that would
not be practical throughout much of the developed world.
Western researchers seek PV solutions that would address a
significant percentage of a western family's needs. Hundred-watt
modules are a drop in the bucket in a western household, where
lights and multiple televisions are constantly on, where central air
conditioning is a standard feature of new houses, where a
considerable percentage of cooking and heating are
accomplished by electricity, and where kitchens must be large
enough to accommodate dishwashers, microwaves, mixers,
coffeemakers, and electric can-openers.  The daily needs of
Third World families are considerably less than those of their
Western counterparts, Desmond points out. Given that cooking is
largely accomplished with propane and that rooftop, passive solar
heaters take care of a large portion of hot water needs, a
Malaysian housewife during daylight hours needs only enough
electricity to run a refrigerator, a few fans, and perhaps a TV.
Affordable 100-watt PV modules should be able to fill those
needs while saving about 40% of the cost of grid electricity -- the
equivalent of 15 to 20% of a family's average monthly wage.
Bringing down PV costs would be far more feasible, Desmond
says, if solar companies would set up manufacturing facilities in
developing countries, where labor costs are low. Subsidies would
likely still be needed to maximize deployment, but the payoff
could be great as Third World applications developed and
spread.  Desmond also points out that such programs would give
solar companies opportunities to:
- Produce PV modules in high volumes.
- Provide mass global education about solar energy.
- Build global consumer confidence in solar energy.
- Provide a platform for increased research into even more
affordable answers and systems.
- Develop additional low-cost, add-on, 'slot in' PV modules.
- Access a huge and virtually automatic potential market for such
add-ons.
- Enjoy increased sales in the more developed Third World areas
for as many individual solar-energy gadgets and domestic
products as are normally available in the West.
- Possibly avoid the enormous environmental destruction and
financial investment required to create hydro and/or other less
desirable sources of power.
- Prevent many of the regular Third World power outages that
generally result from demand that exceeds supply.
Clearly, Third World solar energy deployment is an investment
with long-run payoffs for the entire planet.

copyright:  Energy.com

--

Electricity Generation Drops in Canada
Canada generated 3.7% less electricity in December, to 50,414
GWh.  Hydroelectricity decreased 9.1%, due to lower reservoir
levels in Quebec and BC, which have 66% of hydro capacity.
Thermal generation increased by 8.7%, and nuclear was up
0.1%.  In 1998, net generation was 542,650 GWh, down 2.0%
from 1997.  Hydro dropped 5.3%, nuclear dropped 13.4%, while
thermal generation rose 13.4%.

--

U-S Prepares for Utility Mergers
Regulatory officials say utilities will be allowed to merge if the
new enterprise does not adversely affect competition, rates or
regulations.  FERC will soon rule on Dominion Resources bid for
Consolidated Natural Gas at $6.3 billion, Sempra Energy's offer
for KN Energy at $1.8 billion, Southern Union's offer for
Southwest Gas at $1.85 billion, National Grid's bid for New
England Electric at $4.2 billion, and American Electric Power's
bid for Central & South West at $6.6 billion.  Last week, Scottish
Power was allowed to purchase PacifiCorp for $7.8 billion.

--

Canada Invests in Re-Fueling System for Fuel Cell Vehicles
A $18 million project will support Stuart Energy to improve the
refueling of buses powered with hydrogen fuel cells.  The system
will allow overnight refuelling, reduce costs by consuming
off-peak rates, and make fuel cell vehicles more popular.

--

Database Released on U-S Power Plants
The EPA has released a database of air emission and fuel source
data for U-S electricity plants.  The 'Emissions & Generation
Resource Integrated Database' provides data on emissions and
resource mix for 4,800 electric plants and 2,000 generating firms.
It allows direct comparison of environmental attributes from
different plants, by providing emissions per unit of electricity from
various power sources. Emissions of NOx, SO2 and CO2 are
stated in pounds per million Btu and pounds per MWh.
Details: http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/egrid/egrid.htm

--

Canada to Hold Meeting on Domestic CO2 Emissions Trading
The National Round Table on the Environment + the Economy
will examine trading schemes for emissions in other countries,
including allowance distribution and auctions, source coverage,
credits from outside the trading system, international flexibility
mechanisms and pilot programs for GHG trading.
Details:  http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca

--

DoE Website Posted on Energy Security
EIA provides updates on international energy security, with a
focus on disruptions that affect oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and
electricity markets in the U-S and worldwide.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/security

--

Environmentalists Oppose Nuclear as "Green Energy"
British groups have told a Royal Commission on Environmental
Pollution that nuclear is not 'green energy' for reducing GHG
emissions.  Even if nuclear were funded from credits under
carbon trading, they say it would still not be economic, and quote
a study that shows the lifecycle cost of new nuclear stations to be
at least 2 pence per kWh behind other generating sources.
Nuclear plants in Britain may be paid for C02 savings if they
avoid the need for coal-fired electricity.
Details: http://www.gn.apc.org/nfznsc/Pr/Pr151298.html

--

France Backs Nuclear as Cheap and Clean
Nuclear is the cheapest and cleanest fuel with a cost advantage
over natural gas in electricity generation, although the gap will
narrow in future, according to a study by the French government.
It says nuclear is the only efficient technical option against global
warming, and the future cost of nuclear will be 18 to 20 cents per
kWh, compared with 16 to 21 cents for combined-cycle gas.  If
the cost of CO2 emissions is factored, the extra cost for gas
would be 6 to 7 cents per kWh.

--

European Electricity Utilities Ready for Competition
A survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers shows that two-thirds of
utilities in Europe are prepared for electricity competition.  The
threat of on-site generation has decreased, and most utilities plan
to target customers outside their service area, especially large
customers with annual demand of 20 GWh.

--

U-S Utility Generation for November
Total generation of electricity in the U-S dropped 2% to 239
billion kWh, with coal-fired generation showing the largest
decline (down 5% or 8 billion kWh).  Hydro generation declined
21% versus last November.  Total sales were 247 billion kWh, up
in all sectors except residential.

--

Oil Giant says Oil's Time has Passed
The world has embarked on "the beginning of the Last Days of
the Age of Oil," says the head of ARCO.  Mike Bowlin says global
demand for renewables and other clean energies will grow faster
than overall demand for energy, including oil and coal.  "We must
recognize the growing role such alternative technologies are
bound to play in the future," and energy companies must respond
wisely or face the consequences.
Details:  http://www.arco.com/corporate/news/SA020999.htm

--

Big Business Group Exhibits at Sustainable Energy Fair
The U-S Chamber of Commerce has reserved major exhibition
space at the World Sustainable Energy Fair (Sustain 99) in
Amsterdam in May.  The fair covers renewable energies and
energy efficiency, and will discuss the EU's white paper on
renewables, with conferences in finance, utilities, and Pvs.
Details: http://www.emml.com

--

Sale of Electricity May Fund Other Activities in Texas
When Texas starts to sell electricity, the state could generate a
profit of millions of dollars for education.  Amendment to a Bill on
utility deregulation would allow state-owned oil and gas to be
converted into electricity for sale to public agencies at a saving,
and up to $200 million a year in revenue could be invested in
state trust funds for public schools and universities.  The state
could not control more than 2.5% of power sales in any area.

--

Electric Generation Follows Price of Fuel
Although natural gas is expected to play a leading role in future
generation of electricity, Energy Insight RDI notes that gas usage
(as a percentage of total generation) fell from 10% in 1995 to 9%
in 1997, generating 279 TWh of electricity in 1997, down from
296 TWh in 1995.  As gas-fired generation dropped, coal moved
in as a replacement.  Despite environmental concerns, the firm
says "fuel costs remain the bottom line" in generation.

--

Energy Tidbits
-  Renewable energy portfolio standards for all competitive power
suppliers in Massachusetts must start before the end of 2003.
-  Greenpeace says 30,000 new jobs could be created if the U-K
government  backed an ambitious plan for offshore wind energy.
-  By mid-2000, 0.5% of the total energy output from supplier in
Connecticut must be generated from class 1 renewable energy
facilities (solar, wind, fuel cells, landfill gas, biomass), and an
additional 5.5% must be from class 2 sources (waste-to-energy
facilities, biomass, or hydroelectric sites).  The renewables ratio
will increase each year to 6% and 7% (respectively) by 2009.
-  U-S Energy Systems may purchase 1,800 acres from a private
trust in California, to explore for geothermal energy.
-  Russia will borrow $400 million from the World Bank to work on
social projects and privatization related to coal.
-  Southern States Power has launched a program for stationary
source fuel cell generation, that can run indefinitely on natural
gas and be combined with a gas-powered cogen units.
-  From the euro 1.4 billion energy R+D budget, the European
Commission will dedicate 60% to renewable energy under a
program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Three quarters of
this money will go to demonstrations and the balance to research.
-  Green taxes that were introduced in Denmark in 1995 will
reduce CO2 emissions by 4% by 2005, and a study shows that
the competitiveness of business has not been negatively
impacted.
-  The Edesur electric utility in Buenos Aires has been fined $70
million for a blackout that cut power to 200,000 people.
-  The U-S Nuclear Regulatory Commission has chosen eight
plants that will undergo a new inspection + assessment program.
- The Superior Court in Quebec has ordered government utility
Hydro-Quebec to stop construction of a 735 kV transmission
network until detailed environmental impact hearings are held.
The 100 km line was fast-tracked following last winter's ice storm
in eastern Canada, which cut power to 1.4 million customers.
- An onsite power unit, using a 200-kW phosphoric acid fuel cell,
may provide low-emission generation in small (<1 MW) cogen
systems that produce little or no SO2, NOx, and CO2.
- The Gas Research Institute is developing a solid oxide fuel cell
for use in distributed and on-site power applications.
-  Increasing power output of nuclear stations through 'uprating'
has become an inexpensive option for utilities to increase electric
output without increasing operating and maintenance costs.  The
cost to increase from uprating can be as low as $10/kW, and
changes the shut-down settings, thereby raising the reactor's
power level without increasing fuel cost.
- Environmentalists will oppose Calpine's plan to build a 600 MW
gas-fired generating plant that uses a 130-foot smokestack.
-  Coal will remain a major source of electricity generation in the
world despite environmental opposition, says Alan Moran of the
Institute of Public Affairs.  Many companies are investing in coal
because they don't believe governments will impose a carbon tax
or reverse their stands on nuclear energy.
- In order for Australia to meet its greenhouse gas emissions
under the Kyoto protocol, a tax of $130 per tonne of carbon will
be required, says the country's agricultural bureau.
-  India will increase its dependence on oil imports by 10% within
five years, to a total of 70% of demand.
- Japan's imports of oil and coal imports are increasing rapidly;
installed electrical capacity is 19% hydro and 18% nuclear.
- Energy predictions indicate that oil will dominate world energy
demand in 2010 at 40%, followed by gas and coal, and nuclear at
6%.  By 2020, coal will decline for environmental reasons, and
the use of nuclear will depend on safety issues.
- The Korean government wants money to construct a 100 MW
methane power plant at a large garbage dump near Seoul.
-  TECO Power of Florida and Energia Global of Bermuda will
spend $25 million on a joint venture to develop power projects in
Central America countries, using EGI's strength in hydro, wind
and other renewable energy sources.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES is circulated by the
Canadian Association for Renewable Energies.  A number of
news sources are used; CARE is not responsible for errors.

TRENDS is designed as a 'heads up' overview of renewable
energy in Canada and around the world.  Further details or
contact information are not available at this time.

Back issues posted on  http://www.renewables.ca

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
      Bill Eggertson
           We CARE
mailto:info@...






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AELN(First Wind Turbine in Singapore)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
  [ http://www.sp.edu.sg/newz/hot_press/pr1199.html ]
Released on 22 February 1999
First Wind Turbine in Singapore
A team of Electrical Engineering lecturers and students built this
S$60,000, 10-metre tall turbine -- the first in Singapore -- to
harness wind power. The wind energy generated, combined with existing
solar power supply, is used to light up the entire five-storey
Business Administration building.
  ===

  [ http://www.sp.edu.sg/newz/hot_press/pr599.html ]
SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC BUILDS FIRST WIND
TURBINE IN SINGAPORE TO HARNESS ENERGY
Imagine this scenario for the future: wind turbines on the rooftops of
high buildings and around the island to generate energy for ten
percent of Singapore's energy needs.

To show that this is possible, the Electrical Engineering (EE)
Department of the Singapore Polytechnic has built and installed a wind
turbine that together with a solar farm system on one of its rooftops,
is already providing enough energy to light up the corridors of the
five-storey building.

The turbine, completed early in January, is ten metres high, weighs
250 kilograms and can generate one kilowatt of power at a low wind
speed of six metres per second. It is part of an integrated wind and
solar farm system that also includes a large solar farm, batteries for
storage, control systems and power facilities.

Research for the project on wind distribution and wind strength was
started in November 1997 and was conducted island-wide and onsite at
the Polytechnic. Being very near to the West Coast, there is
sufficient wind on the Polytechnic campus for wind turbines.

While lecturers contributed to the design, specifications and
supervision of the installation, students helped by gathering wind
data. As this was the first attempt ever in Singapore, there were no
references to consult.  Dr Philip Chin, Head the EE Department, sees
this project as a milestone in the search for renewable energy, in
view of the fact that the world fossil fuel stock is estimated to run
out in twenty years.

He says: Wind power is an excellent source of energy. It does not
cause any pollution and is free. Contrary to common belief, the island
of Singapore does enjoy wind resources at many strategic locations.

Media Briefing We would like to invite members of the media to a
briefing and a showaround of the wind turbine on Friday, 5 February,
1999, at 10.00am. The venue is the Jasmine Room, Second Floor, Staff
Centre, Singapore Polytechnic.
  ---
          ____          {Statements may not be my Employer's}
       __/o|__\~        EVangel: messenger bringing good news
=)---'@ -----@'      'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
132V S-10 Blazer http://members.aol.com/brucedp/  BruceDP@...
Electric Vehicle List Editor      http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
EAA San Jose EVents Officer           http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/
Renewable Energy News contributing Editor   EV & AE List sysop
         % Use Renewable Energy to charge your EV %

'Web it Out':  http://www.sp.edu.sg/  ee@...
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Dear all,

I'll appricate your visit to our site:
http://members.tripod.com/~ArgoYachting/solar.html
Where you will see a new construction we made for
a "Portable Solar Unit".
We constructed 8 units so far and everything goes well.
We have an order for 28 units for delivery till end March '99.
Your comments, remarks and suggestions will be mostly welcome.

Sincerely
Steve
Argo Trade Inc. Volos-Greece
============
http://www.argotrade.com




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AELN(High Plains ethanol profitable even with Low Gasoline Prices)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
Facing the Challenges of All-Time Low Gasoline Prices; High Plains
Extends Profitability Through Lower-Cost Production And Innovation

WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Selling a grain-based product,
ethanol, as a replacement fuel for gasoline at a time when gasoline is
selling at historically low prices may seem like a daunting task, but
High Plains Corporation is facing the challenge head on and generating
profitable results.

"If we can increase profitability at a time like this," says High
Plains CEO Gary R. Smith, "you can appreciate my optimism about our
Company's competitive abilities and our growing opportunities for
profitability into the future."  The Company's second quarter FY99
earnings report, announced in January, showed a profit of $523,290, or
$.03 earnings per diluted share.

Key to the Company's success is its ability to increase its production
yields while lowering its production costs and finding new markets for
its products.  High Plains is successfully managing all three
objectives. During the last Quarter, High Plains delivered grain to
its Nebraska and Kansas plants for approximately $1.95 per bushel, a
price that is $.45 per bushel less than the  $2.40 per bushel cost
incurred during the same quarter of last year. At the same time,
progress has been achieved in reducing costs and improving
efficiencies in production at all three plants.  Yields have been
improved over the last few months at its York, Nebraska plant, and
controllable plant costs at all three plants came in at or below
budget.

High Plains is also starting to reap the benefits of several special
innovative projects. For example, methane gas from the local landfill
is being used almost exclusively to fuel the boiler at the Colwich,
Kansas facility, saving approximately $127,000 in the last quarter
alone compared to the cost of previously contracted natural gas.  The
Company also recorded approximately $59,000 in income during the
Second Quarter from the sale of carbon dioxide by-product from the
York, Nebraska plant.

High Plains continues its work on expanding these alternative sources
of revenue.  "We are continuing to pursue these types of projects, and
are in the final stages of negotiating a contract to capture and
market the carbon dioxide produced at one of our other plants," Mr.
Smith said.

High Plains also continues its research and development efforts to
expand innovative and cost-saving approaches to production. In
December, Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson announced High Plains' plans to
participate in a US Department of Energy fuel cell feasibility study
at its York, Nebraska ethanol production facility. The feasibility
study is sponsored by the Western Regional Biomass Energy program and
will examine using ethanol from an anaerobic digester to generate
electricity.

Gary Smith promises not to stop looking for other opportunities for
his Company. He has discussed developing strategic alliances with
large agribusiness, industrial alcohol and energy concerns, and is
working with the United States Postal Service on its plan to deploy
10,000 mail delivery trucks that run on E-85 ethanol fuel.

"I'll consider any options for High Plains that provide profitability
and diversification opportunities," Mr. Smith concludes.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, High Plains Corporation is among the
Nation's largest producers of ethanol. The Company operates production
facilities in Colwich, Kansas; York, Nebraska; and Portales, New
Mexico.

This press release contains forward-looking statements [...].
SOURCE  High Plains Corporation CO:  High Plains Corporation ST:
Kansas IN:  ENV FIN OIL SU: 02/22/99 13:03 EST
  ...
  http://www.prnewswire.com/  nina_drucker@...
(c)1998 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.  Fax# 415-543-3555,
Tel# 415-543-7800, 71 Stevenson, Suite 1120, SF, CA 94105 USA
Please provide your name, company, city and state so we can direct
your request to our appropriate bureau.
  ---
____________{Statements may not be my Employer's}  BruceDP@...
   ____         http://members.aol.com/brucedp/    EV List News Editor
~/__|o\__                           http://crest.org/ev-list-archive/
'@----- @'---(= Get Amp'd   'Electric cruis'n the Santa Clara Valley'
SJEAA EVents officer        Renewable Energy News contributing Editor
http://members.aol.com/sjeaa/  EAA Board member  http://www.eaaev.org



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AELN(127 kW solar array powers industrial carpet tufting machine)
[The Internet Alternative Energy List News. For Public Renewable
  Energy informational purposes. Contact publication for reprint
  rights.]
  --- {EVangel}
Bentley Mills to Dedicate Nation's Largest Industrial Solar Power
Array Today  Harnessing the Sun's Rays to Make Carpet

CITY of INDUSTRY, Calif., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Capturing and
converting the sun's energy to power homes is no longer unusual,
particularly in energy-conscious California.  But harnessing enough
solar energy to power even one tufting machine in an industrial carpet
manufacturing facility?  That's the vision for Bentley Mills of
California, a division of Atlanta-based Interface, Inc., who will
today, February 19 at 10:30 a.m., dedicate the nation's largest
industrial, majority privately funded solar installation. Bentley
Mills is located at 14641 East Don Julian Road in City of Industry.
Interface, Inc. is a $1.3 billion global supplier of commercial
interiors products.

The 127 kW solar array an important first step in Interface's global
vision to become the first sustainable industrial organization - that
is, to take nothing harmful or nonrenewable from the Earth's crust and
to emit nothing harmful into the biosphere as a result of its
operations.  "More than replacing a small percentage of the
electricity that powers this plant every day, this is a pivotal event
in our company's history," said Ray C. Anderson, Interface Chairman
and CEO.  "It's a stake in the ground; a place where we can begin
important research and development on the potential of solar energy to
power our industrial operations worldwide."

Initiated by Interface Research Corporation and Bentley Mills and
funded in part by the California Energy Commission and the U.S.
Department of Energy's Utility Photovoltaic Group, the solar
installation at Bentley Mills has the ability to deliver more than 100
kW of energy to the plant's electrical grid at the middle of a
typical-capacity work day.  This equates to a reduction in electricity
use of about 6 percent of the plant load for this $1 million
investment.  To put this in more familiar terms, the solar cells
generate enough energy to power 25 to 35 average homes.

"Admittedly, this is a small initial energy offset for a manufacturing
facility that utilizes an enormous amount of energy," explained George
Maibach, general manager of Bentley Mills.  "Today, solar power will
not replace fossil fuel-derived electric power or even cost less than
electric power. But the future will lend itself to other means of
economic return, as solar-produced products become more in demand in
the worldwide marketplace. And, along the way, we will learn a great
deal about what we can do with nature's most bounteous and renewable
resource."

Physically, the solar array at Bentley Mills is an impressive site.
Located beside a local water tank, 448 panels measuring 4.2 feet by
6.2 feet each are stationed on over one-half acre of land.  The solar
panels collect energy from the sun during daylight hours, and an
inverter converts that energy from DC to AC and controls the flow of
power between the plant and the panels.  The energy is fed immediately
to the plant's electricity grid, which powers 29 industrial carpet
tufting machines and a host of support equipment that works 24 hours a
day manufacturing broadloom carpet.

"Today is an important day for the state of California, because this
installation is significant both in size and vision," said California
Energy Commissioner Michael Moore.  "When California's restructured
electricity system went into effect almost one year ago, we envisioned
people having the option of placing small renewable energy power
plants right where the power is needed and consumed. This project is
the first large industrial system constructed under the program, and
shows the potential widespread industrial uses for solar energy.  When
companies like Interface and Bentley Mills take the first step making
their products from renewable energy, it shows their consumers and
other companies what can be done."

The dedication of the solar facility at Bentley Mills is scheduled for
Friday, February 19, 1999, in the parking lot adjacent to the solar
array. Ray C. Anderson, chairman and CEO of Interface, Inc., will be
on hand to describe his company's vision to become the leader in
industrial ecology. Anderson has just published Mid-Course Correction,
Toward A Sustainable Future: The Interface Model, and serves on the
President's Council for Sustainable Development, a commission
sanctioned by the President to make policy recommendation on
environmental issues.  Media are welcome to attend.

Bentley Mills was founded in 1979 with the goal of becoming the new
floorcoverings industry standard for product design, quality, service.
The City of Industry, Ca.-based broadloom manufacturer was acquired by
Interface, Inc., in 1993, and is renowned for its stylish, yet
sophisticated product offering, operational excellence and on-time
delivery.

CO:  Bentley Mills; Interface, Inc.  ST:  California IN:  ENV OIL SU:
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Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 13:39:12 -0500
From: Bill Eggertson <eggertson@...>
Organization: Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
Subject: TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES,   issue #68  for February 22

TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES
         issue #68  for February 22

A 'heads up' overview of renewable energies.

Forward TRENDS to colleagues; subscription is free.
Archives posted at  http://www.renewables.ca.

<< TRENDS will post banner advertising to help underwrite
production costs.  For details on TRENDS' opt-in subscribers,
contact mailto:advertising@... >>


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IN THIS ISSUE:

DoE Forecast Predicts 'Stand Pat' for Renewables
Canada Seeks Certified Green Power by Summer
Wind Power to Generate 25 MW at 17 Sites
DoE Releases Projections for Renewables in U-S
DoE to Spend $500 Million to Promote Earth Energy
Texas Utility Wants 100 MW of Renewables
British Government Wants Industry Support for Solar
Largest Industrial Solar System Commissioned in U-S
Survey Shows Green Premium is 1.1¢ to 2.5¢ per kWh
Wind Generates Power for Customers in Minnesota
Preference for Green Power Jumps in Oregon Pilot Project
U-S Senator Wants Small Hydro Bids Controlled
Communities in Ghana to Benefit from PV Electricity
Utility Gets Grant to Promote Renewable Earth Energy
Houston Consumers to Receive Wind Power
Canadian Budget Gives Tax Break to Power Generators
R&D Funding for Prototype Wind Turbine
Wind Electricity to be Available in New Mexico by April
U-S Renewables Groups Want Tax Incentives
Renewable Resources Included in WEC Survey
Research into Better Solar Cells
Solar Firm Opens Distribution Centre in Maryland
Berkeley Students Become Leaders In Green Power
Consumer Groups Want Review of Generation Sales
Internet Site Shows Green Pricing Activities
Wisconsin Utilities Criticized for Cuts in Conservation
Hybrid Electric Army Truck is Demonstrated
Co-sponsors Sought for Early Action Legislation
Energy Tidbits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


CORRECTION in issue #67 (Feb 15)
Ontario Hydro Wind Turbine Sets Another Record
delete:  offset 4 million tonnes of CO2
correct:  offset 4,000 tonnes of CO2.

--

DoE Forecast Predicts 'Stand Pat' for Renewables
Renewable sources of energy are not expected to gain much
market share, but should retain a 8% share of world energy use
through 2020, according to DoE's International Energy Outlook
for 1998.
Low oil prices make it difficult for hydro and other renewable
energies to capture market share, but it says the Kyoto climate
change protocol has increased interest in the role of renewables
and their ability to reduce CO2 emissions.  By 2020, total
consumption of renewables is expected to reach 50 quadrillion
Btu (a 67% increase over 1995), but this is just sufficient to
maintain a world market share of 8%.  Consumption in developed
countries will rise more slowly than developing nations, where
major hydro projects are underway.
A number of positive trends are noted in the report, including
Enron's purchase of Zond and Tacke, BP's plans to exceed solar
sales of $1 billion a year within a decade, and Royal Dutch
Shell's plan to invest $500 million in renewables over the next
five years.
In North America, over the next 25 years, renewable energy use
will increase by 1.3% annually (10.6 quadrillion Btu in 1995 to
14.8 quadrillion in 2020; or 10% of total energy use).  In the U-S,
municipal solid waste, wind and biomass will lead growth, with
wind capacity to double.  In Canada, hydroelectricity remains the
largest renewable source of energy, and there will be a 30%
increase in capacity by 2020 (most after 2010).  Despite a range
of initiatives in Canada, DoE says only a small part of total
energy needs will be met from renewables.
In Western Europe, consumption of renewables climbs by 70% in
the forecast, from 5.1 quadrillion Btu (1995) to 8.7 quadrillion
(2020), and wind capacity doubling by 2001.
The Asian financial crisis is creating problems for many
renewables projects in that region.  Industrialized Asia will see
renewables increase by 0.7 quadrillion Btu from the current 1.4
quadrillion while, in developing regions of Asia, consumption of
renewables will grow from 4.0 quadrillion Btu (1995) to 10.9
quadrillion (2020).
In Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, renewables will
grow by 2.1% annually, from 3.0 quadrillion Btu (1995) to 5.1
quadrillion (2020).
Renewables will remain a small part of energy used in the Middle
East and Africa, and Central and South America will see use of
renewables grow by 1.1% annually,  from 5.1 quadrillion Btu
(1995) to 6.6 quadrillion (2020).  Although renewables account
for 77% of energy used for electricity generation now, this share
will drop to 52% by 2020 due to greater use of gas.
Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo98/hydro.html

--

Canada Seeks Certified Green Power by Summer
Draft guidelines for Ecologo guidelines on power generation are
expected by March 5 by Environment Canada.  'Green power' is
best defined in Australia, Nordic countries, Britain and the U-S,
and the Environment Choice Program wants credible certification
to ensure that some forms of power are more environmentally
sound than others.  The review committee has representation
from four electrical utilities, four consumer groups, four
government agencies, four generators (small hydro, wind,
biomass, landfill gas), and six others.  Issues to be resolved
include specific technical requirements, marginal fuel, size of
facility, whether only 'new' facilities are eligible, the financial and
legal implications, consistency with the U-S market, and inclusion
of other technologies, such as co-generation.  Final text is
expected by June, with certification by July.

--

Wind Power to Generate 25 MW at 17 Sites
Northern Alternative Energy and Northern States Power will
generate 25 MW of wind energy at 17 sites in Minnesota, where
the turbines will range in size from 0.5 to 2 MW.  NAE will sell the
energy to NSP under a 30-year contract, with aggregate annual
output at 80 million kWh.  The project will bring NAE's capacity in
Minnesota to 50 MW (20% of wind power in the region) and more
than 70 MW in various stages of development.  NSP must fulfill a
government requirement to construct or purchase 425 MW of
wind energy by 2002.
Details: http://www.windpower.com

--

DoE Releases Projections for Renewables in U-S
In its short-term energy outlook (based on a mid-price oil case)
released in February, the U-S Energy Information Administration
shows the following energy use by sector (quadrillion Btu) and
the % shift in three periods:

                    97     98     99     00     97-98    98-99   99-00
Electric Utilities
Hydroelectric     3.53   3.20  2.97   2.93    -9.3     -7.1     -1.3
Geo-Solar-Wind    0.12   0.11  0.10   0.09    -6.1     -5.6     -6.9
Biofuels          0.02  0.02  0.02   0.02     -4.8     0.0       5.0
Total            3.67  3.33   3.09   3.05    -9.1    -7.1       -1.4

Non-utility Generators
Hydroelectric     0.19   0.18   0.19   0.19    -3.2     3.9     3.8
Geo-Solar-Wind     0.24   0.25   0.25   0.26     7.7     0.4     0.4
Biofuels           0.58   0.58   0.58   0.58     1.2     -0.5    -0.5
Total              0.99   1.02   1.02   1.03     2.0    0.4     0.5
Total Generation    4.66   4.35   4.12   4.08    -6.8    -5.3    -0.9

Other Sectors
Res/Comm           0.55   0.57   0.57   0.58    2.7     1.1     1.6
Industrial          1.49   1.52   1.54   1.57    1.1     1.8    1.8
Transportation      0.09   0.09   0.09   0.09    8.0    -3.2     3.3
Total               2.14   2.18   2.21   2.25    1.8    1.4     1.8
Imported Electricity  0.29   0.25   0.27   0.28    -15.2   8.7    3.3
Total RE Demand    7.10   6.78   6.60   6.61    -4.5     -2.6   0.1

Details:  http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/11tab.html

--

DoE to Spend $500 Million to Promote Earth Energy
The U-S Department of Energy has selected five companies to
manage a $500 million national saving retrofit program for federal
facilities, using geothermal heat pumps to meet targets for energy
savings and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The strategy
"is good for taxpayers and good for the environment," says U-S
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.  Government will receive $2 for
every $1 that energy companies receive, and Richardson predicts
that, by 2005, annual energy savings could total $700 million.
DoE says 500,000 federal buildings could apply, and the program
does not require budget authority or competitive bidding because
costs are paid from savings.  Geothermal systems transfer solar
heat from the ground for space conditioning and water heating,
and can cool in the same manner.  A number of U-S facilities,
including military bases and post offices, already use earth
energy.  The five companies are Constellation Energy (Baltimore
Gas + Electric), Duke Energy; Enron Energy; PECO Energy; and
American Standards.

--

Texas Utility Wants 100 MW of Renewables
The city of Austin's utility has issued a RFP for 100 MW of
renewable energy, both a fixed annual amount and a variable
amount based on customer demand for the utility's green pricing
program.  Renewables are defined as solar, wind, hydro or
landfill gas, and the RFP also solicits a detailed marketing plan
for promoting renewables.  A recent survey shows that 2,000
residential customers would buy green power at a premium of up
to $10 a month if at least 10% of power came from renewable
sources, while almost 300 commercial customers would pay an
additional $25 per month for the same mix.  The utility contracts
for 10 MW of wind power from a Texas windfarm and 3 MW of
landfill electricity.  It has sponsored 13 solar projects, which
generate 490 kW.

--

British Government Wants Industry Support for Solar
British energy minister John Battle wants industry to work with
government to develop the long-term potential of solar energy.
Speaking at a PV conference, he announced three initiatives:  a
field trial for 100 houses with PV installations to look at system
sizes and types of building, and to develop a design manual for
homebuilders that can pave the way for a larger program in
future;  a call for proposals for development of PV components
and systems, with a budget of 1 million pounds to fund up to 50%
of total cost; and showcases for British PV technology and design
by demonstrating PVs in large-scale building applications and
establishing best practices.  Government wants comments from
the PV industry on the three proposals.

--

Largest Industrial Solar System Commissioned in the U-S
Bentley Mills has installed the largest industrial solar system in
the U-S to power carpet tufting machines.  The 127 kW array in
California is a first step in the company's goal to become the first
sustainable industrial organization.  With minor funding from the
California Energy Commission and DoE, the $1 million project
has 448 panels that deliver 100 kW to the grid, equivalent to 6%
reduction in power use.

--

Survey Shows Green Premium is 1.1¢ to 2.5¢ per kWh
The California Public Utilities Commission has analyzed green
power and conventional electricity offerings in the residential
market, and published a 'Guide to Residential Electric Service
Options' to compare information on service plans and rates.
Using data from ten electric service providers, it shows that 15 of
18 products differentiate by environmental features.  Eleven of
the 15 meet Green-e certification, and price premiums range from
1.1¢ to 2.5¢/kWh for consumption (500 kWh monthly); for one
green supplier, the premium reached 4.2¢/kWh.  Five products
include from 5% to 25% of new renewables content.
Details:  http://162.15.5.2/SB477/MatrixIntroWeb.htm

--

Wind Generates Power for Customers in Minnesota
Electric co-op consumers in Minnesota and Wisconsin can
receive power from three wind turbines near Chandler, which
began generation in December.  Great River Energy is the first
utility in Minnesota to allow customers to purchase renewable
energy, and the windfarm was voluntary and not state-mandated.
The three turbines generate 2 MW, and are the tallest turbines in
the U-S at 206 feet.  GRE sells one-third of the wind output to
neighboring utilities.

--

Preference for Green Power Jumps in Oregon Pilot Project
Pacific Power says 28% of customers who agreed to participate
in the second round of a program for residential and commercial
customers chose the green power option, which is almost double
the 15% who chose green power last June.  Customers can
choose from a  range of options; green power is from 80%
existing geothermal and 20% wind from PacifiCorp's Wyoming
windfarm, for which they pay a 12% premium.  About 6% of
eligible customers chose to participate in the pilot, meaning that
2% of customers receive green power now.
Details: http://www.pacificorp.com/about/custchoice.html

--

U-S Senator Wants Small Hydroelectric Bids Controlled
Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski wants his state to regulate
hydro projects under 5 MW, and not the federal government.  The
Republican chairman of the Senate Energy Committee has
introduced a bill, similar to one that was nearly approved by
Congress before adjournment last year.  The FERC process is
too expensive for small hydro proposals, and he says Alaska's
average residential electricity prices are 36% higher than the U-S
average.  Power in Alaska can reach 43 c/kWh, or five times the
national median.

--

Communities in Ghana to Benefit from PV Electricity
More than us$1 million will be spent to install solar electric sites
at 13 communities in Ghana's north.  The project is the first of its
kind in sub-Saharan Africa, to provide off-grid power in a pilot
effort to assess a national solar program.  The United Nations
UNDP and U-S DoE are helping with costs, and power will be
used for lighting, entertainment, water pumping, vaccine
refrigeration, cottage industries and night schools.  The rural
communities will increase economic development, and residents
will be trained in bore-holing, PV-powered grain grinders, dress
making and other local priorities.  Officials are looking at wind
and biomass to complement existing energy sources.  UNDP
says increased utilization of renewable energy technologies is
required to reduce long-term emissions of greenhouse gases.

--

Utility Gets Grant to Promote Renewable Earth Energy
A grant of $1.25 million has been given to American Electric
Power to promote GeoExchange (earth energy) heating and
cooling systems.  The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, which
represents the U-S DoE, EPA, public utilities and manufacturers,
will give the money to AEP for a two-year plan to increase the
number of systems in its seven-state territory.  Residential and
commercial units can reduce heating and cooling bills by half,
while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions and maintenance
costs.  Units collect solar heat in underground pipes, which is
transferred to a heat pump for space conditioning.  Most systems
also heat water, are quiet, and have no outdoor components to
provide longer life.  AEP will sponsor programs to explain the
benefits of GeoExchange systems, and offer training to installers
and designers.  Manufacturers will make financing available
through lending programs.

--

Houston Consumers to Receive Wind Power
Reliant Energy will purchase 22 MW of wind electricity from
American National Wind Power's Delaware Mountain Windfarm
located in Texas.  This is the first 30 MW phase of a proposed
250 MW windfarm for ANWP.  Houston is not suitable for wind
generation, so the 40 Zond 750 kW towers are being erected in
the Delaware Mountain range, with power delivery scheduled for
June.  ANWP is an affiliate of American Wind Power of Houston
and National Wind Power of Britain, a leading windfarm
developer and operator in the U-K.

--

Canadian Budget Gives Tax Break to Power Generators
Companies that generate electricity in Canada will be eligible for
a four-year phase-in tax reduction.  The tax credit has existed
since 1972, and the federal budget will extend the 7% rate to
generators of electricity or steam, to assist a sector facing
massive restructuring.  The Toronto law firm of Shepherd
Mondrow says the change will benefit conventional generators
more than renewable energy sources.  "The existing incentives
for renewables already leave producers with tax breaks they can't
use.  Coal and low-efficiency oil and gas generators, as well as
nuclear and large hydro, have lower rates of CCA deduction, and
so potentially much higher taxable incomes."

--

R&D Funding for Prototype Wind Turbine
The Wind Turbine Company will receive $950,000 from the
California Energy Commission to develop a state-of-the-art wind
turbine.  The prototype is rated at 350 kW and will be tested at
Colorado's National Wind Technology Center before moving to a
permanent site in 2000.   WTC has a $22 million contract with the
DoE to develop a low-cost utility turbine, and will use CEC funds
from a $250 million Public Interest Energy Research Program that
was established by the state to fund R+D projects that focus on
renewable energies.  Awards of $62 million will be awarded each
year for four years; WTC is the only wind turbine development
project to be funded under PIER.
International capacity for wind energy is growing at 35% per year,
says the Worldwatch Institute.  Last year, more than 2,000 MW of
capacity, worth $2 billion, was installed, with 400 MW in the U-S.
The industry predicts that worldwide sales will average 3,000 MW
a year for the next five years.

--

Wind Electricity to be Available in New Mexico by April
Southwestern Public Service is marketing its Windsource power
option, to come from a 700 kW turbine at a premium of $3 per
100 kWh block.  Cielo Wind Power of Austin is building the $1
million turbine, and will supply 1.8 million kWh per year under a
15-year contract.  If the program loses money due to insufficient
subscribers, SPS may ask the New Mexico Public Regulation
Commission for a rate increase to cover the loss.  Public Service
Company of Colorado has supplied power to 9,000 subscribers
from seven turbines since last year; they hope to pay off the $7
million investment over a 15-year period, and it already plans to
build ten more wind generators.  SPS will build a second turbine
when output of the first is 80% subscribed, and it is the first utility
in the state to offer wind energy as an option.  It will offer its wind
option to customers in Texas soon.  SPS erected its first wind
turbine in 1992, with three 30 kW units near Amarillo.
Public Service Company of New Mexico has plans to provide
green electricity through a solar plant that will be built near
Albuquerque; no timetable has been announced.

--

U-S Renewables Groups Want Tax Incentives
The Sustainable Energy Coalition wants Republican members of
Congress to include tax incentives that will encourage "more
widespread use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies" in the pending U-S tax package.  The Coalition
says promotion of new technology for clean energy has broad
bipartisan support, and renewable energies already provide clean
power and high-tech jobs.  "Well-crafted tax incentives or their
equivalent can play a key role in stimulating both energy
efficiency and renewable energy by increasing sales of
market-ready products, boosting economies-of-scale in
production, and lowering costs for consumers."
During the last session of Congress, a wide array of targeted tax
incentives were introduced to promote the use of renewables,
and the Clinton administration has re-submitted energy tax
proposals with its FY2000 budget.  "If there is to be a major tax
bill signed into law during this Congress, targeted tax relief to
accelerate America's transition to clean energy and the
achievement of air quality goals should be part of the mix," the
group said.
The Coalition represents more than 20 groups, including the
American Public Power Association, American Green Network,
American Wind Energy Association, Geothermal Resources
Association, International District Energy Association, Renewable
Fuels Association, Solar Energy Industries Association and Union
of Concerned Scientists.

--


Renewable Resources Included in WEC Survey
The World Energy Council has published its 18th 'Survey of
Energy Resources' (1998) that includes energy resources data
tables that summarize reserves, production and consumption of
non-fossil energy sources.  Changes to the 1998 edition include
the combing of PV installations with solar energy.  Chapters
include Hydropower, Peat, Wood, Biomass, Solar, Geothermal,
Wind, Tidal, Wave, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion.
Details: http://www.wec.co.uk

--

Research into Better Solar Cells
American Xtal Technology, a manufacturer of substrates for
compound semiconductors, will work with Spectrolab to produce
germanium substrates for satellite solar cells.  Increased
efficiency of cells that use Ge substrates continue to weight
reduction, thereby reducing the cost of satellite launches.  Single
crystal compound solar cells are used increasingly over silicon.
Details:  http://www.axt.com/products.htm

--

Solar Firm Opens Distribution Centre in Maryland
Solarex has opened a 35,000 square foot distribution centre that
has an on-line location access system and bar coding.  Demand
and shipping goals to international distribution points prompted
the move to the new warehouse.  Solarex is the operating unit of
Amoco/Enron Solar, with 26 years in the PV industry.
Details:  http://www.solarex.com

--

Berkeley Students Become Leaders In Green Power
The largest student housing co-operative in North America will
consume 100% renewable electricity from Green Mountain
Energy of Vermont.  The 1,300-member University Co-op in
Berkeley is the first student organization in California to purchase
green power, and has pledged to educate other student
organizations about the importance (and simplicity) of switching
to green power.

--

Consumer Groups Want Review of Generation Sales
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has been asked by
consumer and municipal power groups to review the sale of
generation asset by regulated utilities.  The American Public
Power Association says public transmission access is threatened,
and FERC must closely review the growing trend by electricity
utilities to auction generation capacity under deregulation.  The
groups claim sales are not being uniformly submitted, thereby
failing to meet U-S federal law.  Consolidation of generation
plants to large providers will threaten open transmission access,
and APPA wants a two-year moratorium on mergers among large
utilities.

--

Internet Site Shows Green Pricing Activities
The Green Power Network provides news on green markets and
utility programs across the U-S and internationally, including
green providers, product offerings, consumer issues, and
policies.  Green pricing allows customers to support utility
investments in renewable energy technologies, with a premium to
cover extra costs of renewables.  More than 30 utilities are
involved in green pricing options.
Details:  http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/pricing.shtml

--

Wisconsin Utilities Criticized for Cuts in Conservation
Environmental groups say that utilities in Wisconsin have cut
spending on energy conservation by two-thirds ($147 million in
1993 to $53 million in 1997), which has reduced electric savings
by 58% (621 to 262 GWh).  They say $6 billion a year is spent to
import coal, gas and oil for power generation and, by investing in
energy efficiency as ordered by the Public Service Commission,
Wisconsin could reduce the export of money.

--

Hybrid Electric Army Truck is Demonstrated
Lockheed Martin and the U-S Army have produced a 5-ton truck
that is powered by a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and
offers significant improvements in fuel economy, performance
and reduced carbon emissions.  Instead of a transmission, the
truck uses electric drive motors, a diesel-powered generator,
batteries, and an electronic control system, and consumes up to
50% less fuel than a standard diesel motor.  It can generate 100
kW of auxiliary electric power, and can be driven for brief periods
in all-electric stealth mode.

--

Co-sponsors Sought for Early Action Legislation
The International Climate Change Partnership is urging the U-S
Senate to support legislation that would give credit for voluntary
early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Many firms
are taking steps to reduce GHG emissions or have pledged
action, and the ICCP wants government to provide assurances
that these actions will be credited if some future regulatory
mandate arises.  Companies that have taken action want to
ensure that their early action is not ignored when a mandatory
phase begins, which would be a form of penalty.

--

Energy Tidbits
-  NORPAK Power of Norway wants to build a hydroelectric plant
at Karuma falls in Uganda.
-  Energy officials will meet at the annual Latin American Natural
Gas Summit, to debate the industry (www.firstconf.com/latgas).
-  Geoffrey Ballard, a founder of proton exchange membrane fuel
cell manufacturer Ballard Power, has been named by Time
Magazine as 'Hero for the Planet' for his contribution to the
creation of an environmentally clean product.
-  Sri Lanka is constructing a 60 MW barge-mounted power plant
at a cost of $72 million, which will offer the lowest tariff for any
power plant in the country, and can be moved to supply power to
any region in an electricity crisis.
-  Calpine and Bechtel have met the requirements of the
California Energy Commission to proceed with a 12-month
technical and environmental review of the 880 MW gas-fired
cogen Delta Energy Center in Pittsburg.
- Thousands of dead carp near a hydro dam in Wisconsin are too
contaminated with PCBs and mercury to dump into landfill, and
will be allowed to decompose on the shore.
-  Public Service of New Jersey says potential environmental
costs have persuaded it to drop interest in two coal-fired power
plants in Britain, where the government is expected to rule soon
on limits to emissions from the plants.
-  Three U-S power marketers want to sell electricity to Canada
and Mexico, from surplus generation or power purchased on the
wholesale market.
-  Construction will begin in Mexico this year on four electricity
generation plants, to produce 1,350 MW of power from a total
investment of $1 billion.
-  Iran's President says his country is determined to operate its
own nuclear plant to boost economic development.
-  IDM Energy has acquired a company in the Republic of
Georgia that operates a 42 MW hydro plant.
- Americans are becoming increasingly concerned with the
purchase of electricity assets by British utilities.  Deregulation
opens the door for foreign companies to buy into the North
American market, but proposed purchases of Oregon's
PacifiCorp and New England Electric have upset consumer
groups who want to ensure benefits for local consumers.
-  Power firms in East Africa are trying to co-ordinate national
programs and improve electricity output, particularly hydro output
from the River Nile.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


TRENDS in RENEWABLE ENERGIES is circulated by the
Canadian Association for Renewable Energies.  A number of
news sources are used; CARE is not responsible for errors.

TRENDS is designed as a 'heads up' overview of renewable
energy in Canada and around the world.  Further details or
contact information are not available at this time.

Back issues posted on  http://www.renewables.ca

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
      Bill Eggertson
           We CARE
mailto:info@...



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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
"WEEKLY UPDATE"
February 21, 1999

The articles provided below were initially compiled during the past week by
the
SUN DAY Campaign (ph. 301-270-2258; fax: 301-891-2866) for the 36 member
organizations of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (list available upon
request).

Feel free to distribute this newsletter to others. In addition, please let
us know
of other U.S. organizations, businesses, or government agencies that would
like to be added to the e-mail list for this publication. This newsletter is
presently sent to over 750 organizations nationwide.

If you want any of the items we have offered to fax, please provide a
number for
a DEDICATED (i.e., one that will not be answered by a person), 24-hour FAX
line.


FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET & TAXES

1.) Science Committee Critique of Clinton Budget:

A 2-page, February 16  news release from the House Science Committee
charges that "the President's budget proposal fails to match the strong long-
term congressional commitment to our R&D programs." It adds that "the
Administration's FY 2000 budget breaks the balanced budget caps by $17
billion, yet research is cut by more than one billion dollars. The Clinton
budget
proposes an almost three percent R&D cut in FY 2000 from FY 1999 in
inflation-adjusted dollars. The President seeks nearly $130 billion in new
spending over the next five years. However, R&D spending would decrease
nearly eight percent, in inflation-adjusted dollars, by FY 2004."  Let us
know if
you would like us to fax you a copy. In a separate development,  Democratic
members of the House Science Committee are thinking of doing several small
sustainable energy bills  on housing, schools, and  renewable energy.  These
staff see less party division this year because of a closer Republican-
Democratic split (25-22) and because of several moderates on the Committee.

2.) Letter Sent to House Republicans on Tax Package:

In a 2-page letter delivered February 17 to eleven key Republican members of
the U.S. House of Representatives, twenty member groups of the Sustainable
Energy Coalition urged them "to consider the inclusion of tax incentives that
will encourage more widespread use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies" in the targeted tax package they are expected to introduce
shortly.  The groups noted that "well-crafted tax incentives or their
equivalent
can play a key role in stimulating both energy efficiency and renewable
energy
by increasing sales of market-ready products, boosting economies-of-scale in
production, and lowering costs for consumers."  Noting the proposals put
forth
by members of both parties in the 105th Congress as well as by the White
House, they added that "if there is to be a major tax bill signed into law
during
this Congress, targeted tax relief to accelerate America's transition to
clean
energy and the achievement of air quality goals should be part of the mix."
  Let
us know if you would like us to fax you a copy of the letter.


ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING

1.) Next Step for Senate PUHCA Bill:

The current issue of "Environment & Energy Update" reports that Senate
Banking Committee Chairman Phil Gramm (R-TX) said it is his goal to see
S.313, his bill to repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act, "married"
to a
utility retail competition bill emerging from the Senate Energy Committee.
However, while Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) is
among those pressing for passage of S.313, a section of members of the
committee is opposed to moving the legislation as a stand-along measure.
Furthermore, the Administration and the House Commerce Committee
leadership have said they are opposed to repealing PUHCA on a piece-meal
basis.

2.) Florida Utility Disclosure Rule:

The Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation reports that on February 16,
the Florida Public Service Commission finalized approval of a rule that will
require the state's investor-owned electric utilities to information their
customers four times a year, on a bill insert or on the bill itself, what
fuels are
used to generate their electricity. Florida's IOU's supply about 80-85% of
customers in the state. For details, contact Gail Kamaras:
<gkamaras@...>.

3.) Betsy Moler, Bill Paxon Join Deregulation Group:

A February 18 article in the "Energy Daily" notes that Americans for
Affordable
Electricity (AAE) -- a pro utility restructuring group -- has named former
Rep.
Bill Paxon (R-NY) as its national chairman and former DOE Deputy Directory
Betsy Moler as its counsel.  In addition, PG&E Corp. has joined the group's
membership. The article claims that AAE's 250+ members include "consumer
groups [and] renewable energy organizations."  Let us know if you would
like to
see a copy of the article.

4.) Ralph Reed's Utility Restructuring Views:

In  an op-ed  in the February 17 "Wall Street Journal," the Christian
Coalition's
former executive director Ralph Reed embraced the "electric-choice bill by
Rep.
Steve Largent of Oklahoma that will lower ... utility bills" saying it
should  be
part of "a consumer bill of rights that even Mr. Clinton will not dare to
veto." As
part of the Republican strategy to "pivot" away from impeachment to public
policy, Reed further recommends that Republicans "highlight Al Gore's
environmental extremism by calling for cooperation, not confrontation,
between
business and the government."  Let us know if you would like to see a copy
of the article.


CLIMATE CHANGE

1.) Kyoto & Climate Change - Agricultural Impacts:

In a February 16 release, the American Farm Bureau Federation claims that
farmers and ranchers "would see their income slashed by as much as 50%
below last year's devastatingly low levels" if the Kyoto Protocol
guidelines are
implemented. It cites a study by the agricultural consulting firm Sparks
Companies, Inc. which shows that agricultural production costs could increase
by $16.2 billion or 8.8%.  Let us know if you would like us to fax you the 1-
page release. In a related matter, on February 10, the Pew Center on Global
Climate Change issued a new 36-page study, "Agriculture & Global Climate
Change." It concludes that "while climate change is not expected to threaten
the ability of the U.S. to produce enough food to feed itself through the
next
century, some U.S. agricultural regions, particularly in the north, are
expected
to benefit, while others, primarily in the south, could face adverse
impacts."
However, if average global temperatures rise beyond four degrees centigrade,
overall yields begin to fall. The report can be found at
<http://www.pewclimate.org/report4.html>.

2.) Guide to "Green Cars":

On February 17, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
released its "Green Guide to Cars and Trucks: Model Year 1999" which
assesses the health impacts, estimated annual fuel expenses, and
greenhouse gas emissions for every new passenger car, minivan, sport utility,
and pickup truck sold in the United States. It notes that "American cars and
light trucks alone account for more fossil fuel CO2 emissions than the total
nationwide emissions of all but three other countries in the world." Not
surprisingly, the most environmentally friendly vehicles are those powered by
electricity or natural gas such as the GM EV-1, Nissan Altra, Toyota RVA4,
and Honda Civic GX. For details, see <http://aceee.org/greenercars>.


MISCELLANEOUS

1.) Low-Impact Hydro Certification Program:

A five-page memo from American Rivers and Green Mountain Energy
Resources is soliciting "nominations or statements of interest for governing
board and other position" for their "Low Impact Hydropower Certification
Program." The latter "has been created as a superior alternative to relying
on a
strict size definition to determine the environmental impacts of
hydropower. ...
Hydropower facilities across the country meeting the criteria for Low Impact
Hydropower will be certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Certification
Program and will be allowed to use this certification in power marketing
efforts."
Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy.

2.) Attack on Efficient Plumbing Appliances:

On February 8, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) reintroduced his bill to repeal
national efficiency standards for plumbing products.  The new bill, H.R. 623,
now has 38 cosponsors: 34 Republicans and four Democrats. So far, all of the
cosponsors are Members who had previously cosponsored the same bill in the
last Congress. There are seven members (all Republicans) of the House
Commerce Committee who have cosponsored the new bill, including Joe
Barton (TX), the new Chair of the Energy & Power Subcommittee. In his
introductory remarks in the Congressional Record, Rep. Knollenberg made
note of a broader agenda: "While support for ending these mandates has
steadily grown, the importance of this issue has grown even further.
Currently,
the Department of Energy is considering a ban on top-loading washing
machines as well as certain types of water heaters, fluorescent lamps,
central
air conditioners, and other common products used by American every day. In
addition to providing relief for those suffering under plumbing fixture
laws, we
must pass this bill to ensure the voice reason is heard before additional
mandates are enacted."

3.) Ethanol Potential for California's Oxygenates Rule:

A 2-page Renewable Fuels Association news release reports that ethanol
supply in the U.S. is more than adequate to meet California's oxygenate
demand in the state's Clean Burning Gasoline program. The claim is based on
a new analysis "The Use of Ethanol in California Clean Burning Gasoline:
Ethanol Supply/Demand and Logistics" completed for RFA by Downstream
Alternatives, Inc. It found that with the 1999 nationwide ethanol production
capacity projected to be 1,839 million gallons, there is more than enough to
meet California's maximum needs of 628 million gallons.  Let us know if you
would like us to fax you a copy.

4.) Iceland - Creating a Hydrogen Economy:

A 2-page, February 17, DaimlerChrysler news release notes that the company
has signed a Co-operation Agreement with EcoEnergy Ltd., Norsk Hydro, and
Royal Dutch/ Shell Group for a joint venture to investigate the potential for
replacing fossil fuels in Iceland with hydrogen and creating the world's
first
"hydrogen economy." It will begin with an investment of $1 million to test
hydrogen-burning fuel cells that could replace gasoline-power in motor
vehicles.
The joint venture ultimately aims to convert both the public and private
transportation sectors, including fishing vessels, in  a country where 67%
of the
primary energy consumption is supplied by hydro- and geothermal sources, the
highest percentage share from renewables among OECD countries.  Let us
know if you would like us to fax you a copy of the article.

5.) Minnesota Wind Growing:

The most recent issue of "Wind Energy Weekly" reports that Northern
Alternative Energy, Inc. and Northern States Power Co. have signed power
purchase agreements for a total of 25 MW of wind energy to be developed at 17
Minnesota sites. The projects are unique because of their small size - less
than 2 megawatts each - and their broad distribution. Turbines ranging in
size
from 0.5 megawatts to just under 2 megawatts will be built on farmland
located
at sites from near Elk River to near Fargo, ND, primarily in wind-rich
southwestern Minnesota.

6.) Photovoltaic Shipments/Competition:

Greenpeace has circulated a memo noting:  "Just over 150 MW [of photovoltaic
cells] was sold in the world [last year], an increase of around 20% (a
lower rate
of increase than in the past).  PV news reports that in 1998 BP Solar shipped
13.4 MW of PV. Solarex shipped 15.9 MW. Combined (29.3 MW) this could
make them the world leader, with Kyocera second with 24.5 MW, Siemens
third at 20 MW.  Shell shipped 5 MW from Holland, but they had to buy in 3
MW of cells within that figure. Shell does report that expansion is still
in the
pipeline but real sales figures are not so high. Cadmium telluride plants,
like
the 10 MW BP plant in California produced virtually no panels - they
shipped a
'few sample.'"  In a related matter, Public Citizen has circulated a memo
asking: "If BP Solar and Solarex (a joint 50-50 venture between Amoco and
Enron) merge, BP Amoco would become the largest player in the solar market.
Currently, they are competitors. Does this concern folks?"

7.) Greening the Salt Lake City Olympics:

We received a 5-page memo from a Utah activist outlining "a new window of
opportunity ... to green the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics."  The memo consists
primarily of contact information for the major corporate sponsors.  Let us
know
if you would like us to fax you a copy.

## END ##



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