CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES: News and Events by CCRES October 18, 2012

Thursday, October 18, 2012

News and Events by CCRES October 18, 2012

photo by CCRES

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources

News and Events October 18, 2012

Interior Department Approves Solar Energy Zones on Public Lands

Photo of a large tower in the desert surrounded by reflecting mirrors.

Solar zones in six Western states will spur development on public lands like the Ivanpah solar project, shown here, being built on BLM land in California.
Credit: BrightSource Energy

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on October 12 finalized a program to spur development of solar energy on public lands in six Western states. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for solar energy development provides a blueprint for utility-scale solar energy permitting in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The PEIS establishes solar energy zones with access to existing or planned transmission, incentives for development within those zones, and a process for consideration of additional zones and solar projects.

The Solar PEIS establishes an initial set of 17 Solar Energy Zones, totaling about 285,000 acres of public lands. The zones will serve as priority areas for commercial-scale solar development, with the potential for additional zones through ongoing and future regional planning processes. If fully built out, projects could produce as much as 23,700 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power approximately 7 million U.S. homes. The program also allows, on a case-by-case basis, for the possibility of carefully sited solar projects outside the solar energy zones on about 19 million acres in "variance" areas. See the DOI press release and the complete list of the solar energy zones

EPA Honors Organizations for Supporting Green Power

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 24 presented its 12th annual Green Power Leadership Awards for achievements in advancing the nation's renewable electricity market. "Green power" is electricity generated from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydropower, and it produces little or no net increase of greenhouse gas emissions. For most municipalities, electricity usage is the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The 24 award-winning partners were chosen from more than 1,300 partner organizations. Utilities, renewable energy project developers, and other green power suppliers were eligible to apply for the "Supplier of the Year" and "Program of the Year" awards. Among the categories were first-ever honorees for "Sustained Excellence in Green Power," including Intel Corporation, Kohl's Department Stores, Staples, and Whole Foods Market. In addition, the "Green Power Partner of the Year" awards went to the City of Austin, Texas, Hilton Worldwide, Microsoft Corporation, and the University of Oklahoma, and the "Green Power Community of the Year" winners were Beaverton, Oregon, and Oak Park, Illinois. See the EPA press release and the Green Power website.

USDA Announces $134 Million in Smart Grid Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on October 11 announced funding to modernize and improve the efficiency of rural electric generation and transmission systems. The announcement includes additional loan support of $134 million in Smart Grid technologies in 16 states. The selected projects are located in Alabama, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. In August, the USDA reported that it had met its goal to finance $250 million in Smart Grid technologies in fiscal year 2012.

USDA also announced nearly $264 million in loans to partially finance wood-burning plants in Colorado, Hawaii, and Texas that are expected to generate 69 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Additionally, $14,565,000 was announced to finance the construction of a 5.5 MW solar-powered generating facility in Maryland. See the USDA press release.

Massachusetts Again Tops State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Massachusetts topped the list of energy efficient states for the second year—followed by California, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, and Minnesota—according to a new report. The nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) on October 3 released its sixth annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to energy efficiency measures.

The report examines six of the primary policy areas in which states typically pursue energy efficiency: utility and "public benefits" programs and policies; transportation policies; building energy codes; combined heat and power policies; state government-led initiatives around energy efficiency; and appliance and equipment standards. Though the baseline year against which ACEEE assessed policy and program changes depends on the policy category, the Council based policy scores on policies that were in place as of September 2012. Among other things, the Council found that utility budgets for electric and natural gas efficiency programs rose to almost $7 billion in 2011, which was a 27% increase over 2010. See the ACEEE press release and the scorecard web-page.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Investing in America's Solar Workforce

By Minh Le, Acting Program Manager, Solar Program

For the U.S. solar market to continue to expand—maintaining a skilled workforce remains tremendously important. This is why the Energy Department recently announced its support for the Photovoltaic Online Training (PVOT) program—a free online training tool specifically designed for code officials who grant permits and perform field inspections for residential solar installations.

Using video and photographs to illustrate the correct techniques—PVOT teaches participants how to perform safe solar installations. The online course provides in-depth training in a variety of subjects—including electrical requirements and expedited permitting processes. The end goal is to increase the reach and scale of training available to code officials across the country, while also establishing a consistent and streamlined approach to the residential solar inspection and installation process. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

No comments:

Zeljko Serdar

	Meet a fearless child, a revolutionary teen, an irreverent youth, father of 2, entrepreneur, blogger, investor, humanitarian, president and CEO at CCRES Dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.Working to harvest this knowledge. The pioneering experience of corporations, governments and financiers will be captured, analyzed and made available for others to learn from. HRVATSKI CENTAR OBNOVLJIVIH IZVORA ENERGIJE
	HCOIE

	Edukacija i savjetovanje o korištenju obnovljivih izvora energije organiziranjem tečajeva, radionica, tribina, seminara, kongresa i drugih skupova te putem medija; suradnja s domaćim i međunarodnim institucijama u svezi obnovljenih izvora energije; povezivanje gospodarstvenika, znanstveno-istraživačkih institucija, lokalnih zajednica, tijela državne uprave i ostalih subjekata na projektima koji koriste obnovljive izvore energije.

Project CCRES AQUAPONICS

Course Overview: Whether you are a beginner, a backyard hobbyist, a homesteader or a skilled professional wanting to start a career in Aquaponics this course has something to offer. This course is intended to provide people with the best all inclusive training, hands-on experience and cutting edge methods of Permaculture based Aquaponics available anywhere! Wether you want to grow food for you and your family, a small business or a fully commercial operation this course will be sure to give you the tools, information and experience you will need to be successful in what ever Aquaponic endeavor you are interested in. At a time of global climate change, depletion of resources, pollution of water and huge losses of top soil worldwide, there has never been a more important time to learn about CCRES Aquaponics!“Imagine a technology that produces healthy organic food, clean water, and renewable energy all at the same time. We call it CCRES AQUAPONICS,”

PROJECT CCRES SPIRULINA

The ongoing support from the private investment community speaks to how strongly they believe in the development of Green Crude as an alternative fuel resource, especially ability to commercialize it,” CCRES. Few consider seaweeds as a viable source of energy and protein for terrestrial animals (at least until their cost becomes more attractive). Macro-algae have been shown, however, to possess several functional properties, including those of a functional fiber, with immune-stimulating and prebiotic effects. Today, marine algal extracts are used as an additive in pig and poultry diets with promising results. Furthermore, micro-algae have been shown to contain high levels of beneficial lipids that can be used in layer and sow diets as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Finally, both types of algae are used as an active component in clay-based anti-mycotoxin agents. For example, the treatment of clay with a macro-algal extract has been shown to increase the reactive surface of clay up to eight times. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) offers several solutions that support the nutritional part of the production system. CCRES solutions combine algae feed additive products with their services, e.g. gut quality scoring, product application systems and customised dosing advice.

PROJECT CCRES ALGAE BIOFUEL

Given the right conditions, algae can double its volume overnight. Microalgae are the earth’s most productive plants –– 10 to 15 times more prolific in biomass than the fastest growing land plant exploited for biofuel production. While soy produces some 50 gallons of oil per acre per year; canola, 150 gallons; and palm, 650 gallons, algae can produce up to 15,000 gallons per acre per year. In addition, up to 50 percent (or more) of algae biomass (dry weight) is comprised of oil, whereas oil-palm trees—currently the most efficient large-scale source of feedstock oil to make biofuels—yield approximately 20 percent of their weight in oil.

CCRES Research facility, Sveti Rok, Croatia

Project Type Rural, Intentional Communities, Community, Demonstration, Educational Project Summary At the CCRES Research Facility, we are working with farmers who are converting their working farmland into agroforestry operations. The CCRES Program addresses the need to better understand and implement agroforestry practices on a commercial scale. As these operations grow, so too will the need for industrial infrastructure and support. Project Description The apprentice roles at CCRES Research facility, in Sveti Rok, Croatia are suited to folks who are dedicating their lives to a career in regenerative agriculture. Whilst this farm is a bustling hub for learning and practice, we expect high standards in both work ethic and your ability to work as a beneficial team member. We work, live, learn and play together in quite close quarters during the season, and your attitude and aptitude are the most important qualities behind getting the most from this experience. People that get the most from their time with us tend to have the “get it done” attitude, are self-starting, communicative, teachable, positive solutions focused, dependable and take-responsibility for what they are managing. We are looking for very pragmatic folks that are good with their hands and tools, who are situationally aware and ready to get their hands dirty wherever needed on the farm. Environmental impact Less human influence means natural processes have a chance to help improve the natural environment and restore nature. Wildlife species can come back and experience less conflict with humans, and food chains can restore. Dynamic, mosaic landscapes can develop driven by large herbivores and large carnivores, supporting species of a wide range of open/semi-open habitats. Socio-economic impact New businesses can be developed based on wilder landscapes and wildlife comeback, offering new and different products. Provision of new job and income opportunities. Social coherence and local society can be enhanced if new local businesses build networks and generate multiplier effects. Reduced dependency on subsidies. Cultural impact Younger people and families returning to the countryside looking for new opportunities, bringing new life into rural communities. Local/regional branding of areas and products providing new identities and local pride that are nature/wildlife related. Cultural heritage and traditional skills reinvigorated and in a different setting.

Interview with Mr Zeljko Serdar, CCRES

PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR PROTÉGÉ A Protégé receives a wide range of business development help from their Mentor, including: Technical, financial management, and developmental assistance to gain the knowledge, skills, and capabilities Advice and mentorship on program and project management, information technology, business equipment, and workspaces; Long-term relationships with small and/or large businesses to form teaming arrangements and/or joint ventures. PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR MENTOR There are many benefits for a Mentor helping a Protégé develop their business, including: Helping small businesses and minority institutions of higher learning expand their capacity through developmental and technical assistance; Utilizing the unique/specialized skills of the Protégé and shortening the learning curve of bringing on a new subcontractor; Identifying subcontractors and streamlining the procurement process. page 62-63

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

HOME