 Croatian Center of Renewable Energy SourcesNews and Events August 23, 2012 |
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New Public-Private Partnership to Support U.S. Manufacturing Innovation
The Obama Administration announced on August 16
the launch of a new public-private institute for manufacturing
innovation. The new partnership, the National Additive Manufacturing
Innovation Institute, was selected through a competitive process to
receive an initial award of $30 million in federal funding, matched by
$40 million from the winning consortium. The consortium includes
manufacturing firms, universities, community colleges, and non-profit
organizations from the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia "Tech Belt."
On March 9, 2012, President Obama announced his
plan to invest $1 billion to catalyze a national network of up to 15
manufacturing innovation institutes around the country that would serve
as regional hubs for manufacturing. The President called on Congress to
act on this proposal and create the National Network of Manufacturing
Innovation. Five federal agencies—the Departments of Defense, Energy,
and Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and NASA—jointly
committed to invest $45 million in a pilot institute on additive
manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is a process of making
three-dimensional solid objects from a digital model. See the White House press release.
Energy Department Partnership to Certify Zero Net-Energy Ready Homes
The Energy Department on August 20 announced a
new partnership between its Challenge Home program and the Passive House
Institute US (PHIUS) on a voluntary certification process for
energy-efficient homes. The partnership will streamline certifications
for homes that can offset most or all of their utility bills with a
small renewable energy system. These homes are referred to as "zero
net-energy ready" homes. Home builders participating in these
certification programs gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace
by providing their customers with homes featuring energy savings, among
other benefits.
The Energy Department's Challenge Home program
certifies homes that are 40% to 50% more energy efficient than typical
homes. It also helps to minimize the risk of indoor air quality problems
and ensures compatibility with renewable energy systems. Through the
Challenge Home program and its original Builders Challenge
specifications, the Department has certified more than 13,500 homes,
which are saving consumers more than $10 million each year. Among these
certified homes, more than 1,350 are considered zero net-energy ready
homes based on Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores of 55 or lower.
PHIUS certifies building designs that are 65% to 75% more energy
efficient than a typical new home, even before installing renewable
energy systems. PHIUS has also trained nearly 400 construction
professionals to build these homes. See the Energy Department Progress Alert.
USDA Funds Boost Renewable Energy Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on
August 14 announced that 106 projects in 29 states, Guam, and Puerto
Rico have been selected to receive funding for the production of
renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Funding comes
through the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
One example of a selected project is in
Washington County, Iowa, where a recipient is receiving a guaranteed
loan to construct a 50 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine at his agricultural
business. The turbine is expected to generate approximately 103,200
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually—enough to meet the annual
requirements of nine homes. WTE-Dallmann LLC in Calumet, Wisconsin, is
another recipient of a REAP grant to help fund the installation of an
anaerobic digester that will generate more than 4.8 million kWh of
electricity—power for about 420 homes annually. The electricity will be
sold to the local utility. See the USDA press release and the complete list of projects
 .FERC Awards License for Oregon Wave Power Station
Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) announced on
August 20 that its subsidiary has received approval from the U.S.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a planned 1.5 megawatt
wave power station off the Oregon coast. This is the first FERC license
for a wave power station issued in the United States. The license
provides a regulatory approval for the deployment of up to 10 OPT
devices, generating enough electricity for approximately 1,000 homes.
Construction of the initial 150-kilowatt device
is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for deployment about
2.5 miles off the Reedsport, Oregon coast later this year. The wave
energy converter consists of an open steel cylinder extending downward
into the ocean from a floating buoy. A piston is located midway down the
cylinder, and as waves pass, the piston moves up and down along the
cylinder, applying pressure to seawater-filled hoses that eject
high-pressure seawater into a turbine, which drives a generator to
produce power.
OPT has received funding for this first system
from the Energy Department with the support of the Oregon Congressional
delegation and from PNGC Power, an Oregon-based electric power
cooperative. Specifically, FERC has granted a 35-year license for
grid-connected wave energy production. After the initial device is
deployed, OPT plans to construct up to nine additional devices and grid
connection infrastructure, subject to receipt of additional funding and
all necessary regulatory approvals. See the OPT press release.
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CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov |
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Building the Largest U.S. Energy Efficiency Project
The popular expression "go big or go home" means
to go all the way. And an energy efficiency project at a paper
manufacturer in Longview, Washington, went so big that it's thought to
be the largest of its kind in the United States, ever. It's so big that
the energy experts at ESource, who answer thousands of energy-related
questions every year, couldn’t find a reported project that's saved more
energy.
NORPAC is the largest newsprint and specialty
paper mill in North America. Its 33-year-old mill produces 750,000 tons
of paper a year and on a daily basis makes enough paper to stretch a
30-foot-wide sheet from their Northwest mill all the way to Miami,
Florida. NORPAC is the largest industrial consumer of electricity in the
State of Washington, requiring about 200 average megawatts of
power—roughly 100 times more power than an average household uses in an
entire month. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) |
Thursday, August 23, 2012
News and Events by CCRES August 23, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
THIRD GENERATION BIOFUELS FROM ALGAE
THIRD GENERATION BIOFUELS FROM ALGAE
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) have a
new technology with major potential to contribute to the fight against climate
change.As with all new technologies, careful consideration of potential impacts
on the environment and human health is important.
The international community has acknowledges that global
warming needs to be kept below 2˙C (3,6˙F) compared with the pre industrial
temperature in order to prevent dangerous climate change.This will require
significant reductions in the world´s emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse
gases (GHG) over the coming decades.CCRES have one of the technologies that can
help to achieve this.
The EU, which is responsible for around 11% of global GHG
emissions today, has put in place binding legislation to reduce its emissions
to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.Europe is also offering to scale up this reduction
to 30% if other major economies in the developed and developing world´s agree
to undertake their fair share of a global reduction effort.
This is why the EU must support alternative fuels, in
particular biofuels, with the triple objective of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, diversifying fuel supply and developing longterm replacements for
fossil fuels.
Third generation biofuels from algae will have an important
role to play as soon as they are ready for the market. They should be more
sustainable, boasting both a lower enviromental impact and lower costs.Biofuels
must become a commercial and competitive product using the broadest range
possible of raw materials from both Nord and South Europe.
Biofuels from algae have a big role to reduce CO2 emmisions.
The sustainability of algae biofuels and their potential
impacts on other sectors, including land use, are will remain critical
issues.Algae biofuels provide an important contribution towards climate change
mitigation and security of supply.They are only part of the solution, and must
be considered in a wider context, in which efforts are also being made to
reduce transport demand, improve transport efficiency and encourage the use of
environmentally friendly modes of transport.
CCRES INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
CCRES international cooperation in algae biofuels research
has a number of benefits for all involved:
- working together enhances synergies between the different partners
- partners can pool financial resources, share risk and set common standards for large or relatively risky research and development project
- it speeds up the development of the clean technologies we need if we are to tackle our energy related problems
- by linking up their efforts, partners can support a wider range of energy technologies and reduce the costs of key technologies
- networking allows partners to better coordinate their energy research agendas
Over the years, CCRES has build up strong and lasting
research cooperation partnerships on specific energy topics with partner
organizations.
Zeljko Serdar
President & CEO
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
GIANT Hybrid Cycling Technology
What makes Hybrid Cycling Technology so different from other “electric”
bicycles out on the road? The answer lies in a host of technological
features that work in unison with your own body’s power output—a
seamless extension of your own capabilities.
Step 1: RIDECONTROL
Hop on the bicycle, hit the “on” switch on the
RideControl command center, select the power mode (Sport, Normal or
Economy) and you’re ready to ride.
Step 2: PEDALPLUS
Start pedaling and, instantaneously, the hidden
PedalPlus power sensor precisely registers the amount of force you’re
putting into the pedals. This information is sent directly to the I2
driver unit— the brains of Hybrid Cycling Technology.
Step 3: I2 DRIVER UNIT
The I2 driver unit receives the information from the
PedalPlus sensor and, via its proprietary software, is able to send a
smoothed-out power curve demand to the EnergyPak power source.
Step 4: ENERGYPAK
The EnergyPak power source delivers just the right amount of power to the SyncDrive motor.
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources
shares with you
GIANT Hybrid Cycling Technology
Giant was founded in 1972 with a mission: to create better bikes
and improve the cycling experience. From the very start, innovation and
manufacturing expertise set us apart.
It began with our lightweight chromoly frames. Giant's ability to produce high- quality bikes at an affordable price allowed more riders to experience cycling in a whole new way. Since then, Giant has pioneered advancements in both aluminum and composite engineering. We introduced the first affordable carbon fiber bike, the Cadex 980 C, and revolutionized high-performance road bikes with our Compact Road Design. In mountain biking, Giant's Maestro Suspension established a new level of performance for off-road riding and racing.
Over the last four decades, Giant has grown well beyond its manufacturing roots to become the world's leading brand of quality bicycles and gear. With more than 12,000 retail partners worldwide, we aim to inspire adventure in all riders, from casual to competitive.
Giant bikes win world championships. They win design awards, too. But most importantly, they win the hearts of riders who choose to make cycling a part of their lives. We support that choice. We think it makes the world a better place.
Giant aims to be a trusted friend on every road, path and trail that unfolds before you. We're proud to be part of your cycling adventures.
RIDE LIFE. RIDE GIANT.
It began with our lightweight chromoly frames. Giant's ability to produce high- quality bikes at an affordable price allowed more riders to experience cycling in a whole new way. Since then, Giant has pioneered advancements in both aluminum and composite engineering. We introduced the first affordable carbon fiber bike, the Cadex 980 C, and revolutionized high-performance road bikes with our Compact Road Design. In mountain biking, Giant's Maestro Suspension established a new level of performance for off-road riding and racing.
Over the last four decades, Giant has grown well beyond its manufacturing roots to become the world's leading brand of quality bicycles and gear. With more than 12,000 retail partners worldwide, we aim to inspire adventure in all riders, from casual to competitive.
Giant bikes win world championships. They win design awards, too. But most importantly, they win the hearts of riders who choose to make cycling a part of their lives. We support that choice. We think it makes the world a better place.
Giant aims to be a trusted friend on every road, path and trail that unfolds before you. We're proud to be part of your cycling adventures.
RIDE LIFE. RIDE GIANT.
TWIST EXPRESS RS 2 W
Frame |
|
|---|---|
| Sizes | S,M |
| Colours | Anthracite / Blue |
| Frame | ALUXX-grade aluminum |
| Fork | Rigid allloy |
| Shock | N/A |
Components |
|
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Alloy high-rise |
| Stem | Alloy adjustable |
| Seatpost | Suspension 27.2mm |
| Saddle | Giant Comfort Groove |
| Pedals | Comfort platform |
Drivetrain |
|
|---|---|
| Shifters | SRAM MRX Pro twist |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Altus |
| Brakes | Alloy direct-pull v-brakes |
| Brake Levers | Tektro Alloy |
| Cassette | Shimano 11-28 7SPD |
| Chain | KMC Z51 |
| Crankset | Alloy 3PC 46T |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge |
Wheels |
|
|---|---|
| Rims | Alloy double wall 36H |
| Hubs | F:SyncDrive Motor / R:Alloy QR |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel 14g |
| Tires | Kenda 700x35c w/ Slime tubes |
Other |
|
|---|---|
| Extras | Lithium Ion 36V EnergyPak w/ charger, rear alloy rack w/storage case & EnergyPak lock, fenders, kickstand, bell |
| Weight | How much does this bike weigh? It’s a common question, and rightly so. But the truth is, there are no industry standards for claiming bike weights—and this leads to a lot of misinformation. Variances exist based on size, frame material, finish and hardware. And as bikes get lighter, these differences become more critical. At Giant, we believe the only way to truly know the weight of any particular bike is to find out for yourself at your local retailer. |
TWIST FREEDOM DX
Frame |
|
|---|---|
| Sizes | Regular, Large |
| Colours | Silver Anthracite |
| Frame | ALUXX-Grade aluminum |
| Fork | SR Suntour suspension, 63mm travel |
| Shock | N/A |
Components |
|
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Alloy, high-rise |
| Stem | Alloy adjustable |
| Seatpost | Suspension 27.2mm |
| Saddle | Giant Comfort Groove + |
| Pedals | Comfort platform |
Drivetrain |
|
|---|---|
| Shifters | Shimano Revo twist |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano NEXUS 8PD internal gearing |
| Brakes | Alloy direct-pull v-brake |
| Brake Levers | Alloy comfort |
| Cassette | Shimano 18T |
| Chain | KMC Z51 |
| Crankset | Giant PedalPlus 46T |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge |
Wheels |
|
|---|---|
| Rims | Alloy double wall 36H |
| Hubs | F:SyncDrive Motor / R:Shimano NEXUS |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel 14g |
| Tires | Kenda 700x35c w/ Slime tubes |
Other |
||
|---|---|---|
| Extras | 2 Lithium Ion 24V EnergyPaks w/ charger, rear alloy rack w/storage cases & EnergyPak lock, fenders, kickstand, bell, rear LED light | |
| Weight | How much does this bike weigh? It’s a common question, and rightly so. But the truth is, there are no industry standards for claiming bike weights—and this leads to a lot of misinformation. Variances exist based on size, frame material, finish and hardware. And as bikes get lighter, these differences become more critical. At Giant, we believe the only way to truly know the weight of any particular bike is to find out for yourself at your local retailer. | |
TWIST EXPRESS RS 2
The specifications chart below represents the MOST
CURRENT information available, superseding any printed or PDF formatted
information. Specifications and price are subject to change without
notice.
Frame |
|
|---|---|
| Sizes | Regular, Large |
| Colours | Anthracite / Blue |
| Frame | ALUXX-Grade aluminum |
| Fork | Rigid allloy |
| Shock | N/A |
Components |
|
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Alloy high-rise |
| Stem | Alloy adjustable |
| Seatpost | Suspension 27.2mm |
| Saddle | Giant Comfort Groove |
| Pedals | Comfort platform |
Drivetrain |
|
|---|---|
| Shifters | SRAM MRX Pro twist |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Altus |
| Brakes | Alloy direct-pull v-brake |
| Brake Levers | Tektro Alloy |
| Cassette | Shimano 11-28 7SPD |
| Chain | KMC Z51 |
| Crankset | Alloy 3PC 46T |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge |
Wheels |
|
|---|---|
| Rims | Alloy double wall 36H |
| Hubs | F:SyncDrive Motor / R:Alloy |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel 14g |
| Tires | Kenda 700x35c w/ Slime tubes |
Other |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extras | Lithium Ion 36V EnergyPak w/ charger, rear alloy rack w/storage case & EnergyPak lock, fenders, kickstand, bell | ||||
| Weight | How much does this bike weigh? It’s a common
question, and rightly so. But the truth is, there are no industry
standards for claiming bike weights—and this leads to a lot of
misinformation. Variances exist based on size, frame material, finish
and hardware. And as bikes get lighter, these differences become more
critical. At Giant, we believe the only way to truly know the weight of
any particular bike is to find out for yourself at your local retailer. | ||||
For those of you who are in Zagreb,Croatia
we have found 10 dealers
Hvarska 1c
10000 Zagreb
10000 Zagreb
Phone: 01 6192 620 | Fax: 01 6192 621
Radnička cesta 52
10000 Zagreb
10000 Zagreb
Phone: 01 4880 610 | Fax: 01 6192 621
Franje Tuđmana 91
10431 Sveta Nedjelja
10431 Sveta Nedjelja
Phone: 095 197 8389 | Fax: 01 3370 408
Josipa Zorića 41
10370 Dugo Selo
10370 Dugo Selo
Phone: 01 2752 136
Mlinska 1
10430 Samobor
10430 Samobor
Phone: 01 3325 103
A. Gredičaka 13
49243 Oroslavje
Phone: 098 378 73649243 Oroslavje
For other countries :
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/dealers/
CROATIAN CENTER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
News and Events by CCRES August 16, 2012
 Croatian Center of Renewable Energy SourcesNews and Events August 16, 2012 |
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Energy Department Invests in Materials for Vehicle Fuel Economy
The Energy Department on August 7 announced it
awarded $8 million for seven new projects to create stronger and lighter
materials for the next generation of U.S. vehicles. These projects
include the development and validation of modeling tools to deliver
higher performing carbon-fiber composites and advanced steels, as well
as research into new lightweight, high-strength alloys for
energy-efficient vehicle and truck engines.
The projects in Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee,
and Washington will help provide additional technologies and innovations
that will enable manufacturers to continue to improve vehicle fuel
efficiency beyond the regulated levels. Advanced materials are essential
for boosting the fuel economy of cars and trucks while maintaining and
improving safety and performance. Replacing cast iron and traditional
steel components with lightweight materials—including advanced
high-strength steel, magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber
composites—allows vehicle manufacturers to include additional safety
devices, integrated electronic systems, and emissions control equipment
on vehicles without increasing their weight. Using lighter materials
also reduces a vehicle’s fuel consumption.
The new investments support materials innovation
in two critical areas. The first area has two projects designed to
improve carbon fiber composites and advanced steel through computational
design. For example, the department is investing $6 million to develop
new modeling tools to advance third-generation high-strength steels.
Through this project, United States Automotive Materials Partnership,
based in Detroit, Michigan, will leverage an additional $2.5 million in
private investment to help create modeling tools for deploying
high-strength steels for lighter passenger vehicles. The second area is
advanced alloy development for automotive and heavy-duty engines.
Caterpillar Inc., based near Peoria, Illinois, is leveraging an Energy
Department award of $3.4 million, as well as $1.5 million in private
investment, to develop high-strength, iron-based alloys to allow for
higher cylinder pressures and increased engine efficiency. See the Energy Department press release and the complete project list
.Army Announces $7 Billion Action to Support Renewable Energy
The U.S. Army announced on August 7 that it has
issued a $7 billion Request for Proposal to procure renewable and
alternative energy on federal property through power purchase
agreements. The $7 billion capacity would be expended for the purchase
of energy over 30 years or less from renewable energy plants that are
constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing.
Contracts will be awarded to both large and small businesses among four
different renewable energy technologies: solar, wind, geothermal, and
biomass.
Project locations may be on any federal property
located within the United States, U.S. territories, or other property
under the control of the U.S. government. The solicitation will be
available for 60 days, with responses due by October 5. These contracts
are part of a U.S. Department of Defense goal to get 25% of its total
energy from renewable sources by 2025. See the Army press release.
Energy Report: U.S. Wind Industry Surges in 2011
The Energy Department released a new report on
August 14 highlighting strong growth in the U.S. wind energy market in
2011. According to the 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report,
the United States remained one of the world’s largest and fastest
growing wind markets in 2011. Wind power represented 32% of all new
electric capacity additions in the nation last year, accounting for $14
billion in new investment. Additionally, the report found that the
percentage of wind equipment made in the United States also increased
dramatically. Nearly 70% of the equipment installed at U.S. wind farms
last year was from domestic manufacturers, doubling from 35% in 2005.
The report finds that in 2011, roughly 6,800
megawatts (MW) of new wind power capacity was added to the U.S. grid, a
31% increase from 2010 installations. The nation’s wind power capacity
reached 47,000 MW by the end of 2011 and has since grown to 50,000 MW,
or enough electricity to power 13 million homes annually. The country’s
cumulative installed wind energy capacity grew 16% from 2010, and has
increased more than 18-fold since 2000. The report also finds that six
states now meet more than 10% of their total electricity needs with wind
power.
According to industry estimates, the wind sector
employs 75,000 American workers, including workers at manufacturing
facilities up and down the supply chain, as well as engineers and
construction workers who build and operate the wind farms. Despite
recent technical and infrastructure improvements and continued growth in
2012, the report finds that 2013 may see a dramatic slowing of domestic
wind energy deployment due in part to the possible expiration of
federal renewable energy tax incentives, including the Production Tax
Credit and the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit. See the Energy Department press release and the complete report
.White House Expedites Seven Major Renewable Energy Projects
The Obama Administration on August 7 announced
that seven significant solar and wind energy projects in Arizona,
California, Nevada, and Wyoming will be expedited. Together, these
infrastructure projects would produce nearly 5,000 megawatts (MW) of
electricity, enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes.
As a part of a Presidential Executive Order
issued this year, the Office of Management and Budget is charged with
overseeing a government-wide effort to make the permitting and review
process for infrastructure projects more efficient and effective. Among
the projects are BP Wind's proposed Mohave County Wind Farm, to be
located on about 47,000 acres of public land in Arizona with the
capacity to produce up to 425 MW of electricity, and NextEra's proposed
McCoy Solar Energy project, a solar photovoltaic array that would be
situated on 4,893 acres in Riverside County, California, and would
produce an estimated 750 MW of solar energy. See the White House press release.
Interior Department to Review Proposal for First U.S. Floating Wind Turbine
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on
August 9 announced it will begin reviewing a proposal to build what
would be the nation's first floating wind farm. DOI's Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management (BOEM) is proceeding with an assessment of Statoil
North America's Hywind Maine project. The proposed wind farm, located
about 12 nautical miles off the coast in water about 500 feet deep,
would have a 12-megawatt capacity from four wind turbines. The area
Statoil North America has requested for a commercial wind lease covers
approximately 22 square miles, though the company states that the final
park is expected to be closer to 4 square miles after determining its
environmental impact and wind resources.
BOEM is seeking public comment on environmental
issues related to the proposed leasing, construction, and operation
activities in the offshore area through a Notice of Intent to Prepare an
environmental impact statement. Publication of a Request for Interest
in the Federal Register will open a 60-day public comment period to
solicit submissions of indications of competitive interest and
additional information on potential environmental consequences and other
uses of the proposed lease area. Accordingly, BOEM intends to prepare a
statement that will consider the reasonably foreseeable environmental
consequences associated with the Hywind Maine project. See the DOI press release, the Statoil proposal
, the BOEM public comment Web page, and the Statoil Hywind Web page.Ex-Im Bank to Help Finance U.S. Clean Tech Exports to South Africa
The Export-Import Bank of the United States
(Ex-Im Bank) and the Industrial Development Corp. of South Africa Ltd.
(IDC) on August 7 signed a Declaration of Intent to help advance South
African economic development. Under the agreement, Ex-Im Bank will
assist in financing up to $2 billion worth of U.S. technologies,
products, and services to South Africa’s energy sector, with an emphasis
on clean energy development.
The Industrial Development Corp. is a South
African national development finance institution meant to promote
economic growth and industrial development. The IDC's primary objectives
is to contribute to the creation of balanced, sustainable economic
growth in South Africa and on the rest of the continent. See the Ex-Im Bank press release.
|
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CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov |
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Supercomputing Our Way to a Clean Energy Future
These days supercomputing isn’t just for niche
applications like unlocking the secrets of dark matter, finding the
Higgs boson particle, or helping us understand nuclear weapons without
explosive testing. With recent strides in technology and a number of
high-profile success stories, advanced computing technology is catching
the attention of major companies looking to lower their research and
development costs while producing more efficient and more powerful
energy technology.
Recently at the Workshop on the Grand Challenges
of Advanced Computing for Energy Innovation near Washington, D.C.,
computing specialists from the private sector, national laboratories,
and academia met to share best practices, discuss trends, and determine
the future of supercomputing in energy technology.
Computer-assisted design software took engineers
from the drawing board to the keyboard decades ago, but the bulk of
variable testing still takes place with prototype models with sensors
that generate a great deal of data that requires analysis. But what if
engineers could develop a virtual prototype and test it under every
conceivable condition on a system-wide basis? With help from the
national laboratories, energy technology companies are doing just that,
and recent collaborative projects and programs have benefitted both the
labs and companies.
At the workshop, truck manufacturer Navistar
reported significant advances in improving airflow to its vehicles,
which increases fuel efficiency and durability. Instead of using
expensive wind tunnel testing, Navistar used modeling and simulation
software from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to make
improvements for a fraction of traditional research costs. For the
complete story, see the Energy Blog.
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) |
Expansion of wind energy in America
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)
and
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Friday, August 10, 2012
News and Events by CCRES August 10, 2012
 Croatian Center of Renewable Energy SourcesNews and Events August 10, 2012 |
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Energy Department to Award $43 Million for Energy Storage Technologies
The Energy Department announced on August 2 that
19 new projects will receive a total of $43 million from the
department's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to
develop breakthrough energy storage technologies. The projects will
focus on innovations in battery management and storage to advance
electric vehicle (EV) technologies, help improve the efficiency and
reliability of the electrical grid, and provide important energy
security benefits to U.S. armed forces. The projects are supported by
two new ARPA-E programs: Advanced Management and Protection of Energy
Storage Devices (AMPED) and Small Business Innovation Research.
Twelve research projects are receiving $30
million in funding under the AMPED program, which aims to develop
advanced sensing and control technologies that could dramatically
improve grid-scale and vehicle batteries. Unlike other Energy Department
efforts to push the frontiers of battery chemistry, AMPED is focused on
maximizing the potential of existing battery chemistries. These
innovations will help reduce costs and improve the performance of
next-generation storage technologies, which could be applied in both
plug-in and hybrid EVs. For example, Battelle Memorial Institute in
Columbus, Ohio, will develop an optical sensor to monitor the internal
environment of a lithium-ion battery in real-time.
ARPA-E is also awarding $13 million to seven
enterprising small businesses that are pursuing cutting-edge energy
storage developments for stationary power and electric vehicles. These
businesses will develop novel battery chemistries and battery designs as
part of the larger department-wide Small Business Innovative
Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program. For example, Energy
Storage Systems, Inc., in Portland, Oregon, will construct a flow
battery for grid-scale storage using an advanced cell design and
electrolyte materials composed of low cost iron. See the Energy Department press release.
Defense, Interior Departments Pursue Renewable Energy on Federal Lands
The Interior Department announced on August 6
that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of the Interior Ken
Salazar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that encourages
appropriate development of renewable energy projects on public lands
that are set aside for defense-related purposes, and on other onshore
and offshore areas near military installations. The MOU establishes the
Renewable Energy Partnership Plan, which aims to harness the solar,
wind, geothermal, and biomass energy resources located on or near
military installations across the country.
Department of Defense (DoD) installations
encompass roughly 28 million acres in the United States, including 16
million acres previously managed by the Interior's Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) that were withdrawn for military use. About 13 million
acres of these withdrawn lands are located in the West and are rich in
wind, solar, and geothermal resources. In addition, offshore wind is an
abundant renewable energy resource available to many DoD installations
on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, along the Gulf of Mexico, and in
Hawaii.
Access to renewable energy will allow a military
base to maintain critical functions for weeks or months if the
commercial grid goes down. To keep the military operating in the event
of a grid failure, each of the military services has committed to deploy
one gigawatt of renewable energy on or near its installations by 2025.
In pursuit of these goals, the MOU establishes a framework for an
offshore wind partnership and forum; provides a blueprint for Interior
and the DoD to identify onshore renewable energy projects at DoD
installations; creates a working group on geothermal energy; and commits
the DoD and the BLM to developing a pilot process for authorizing solar
energy projects on several military installations in Arizona and
California. See the Interior Department press release and the MOU
.USDA Supports Growers of Feedstocks for Advanced Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
announced on July 27 a total of $19.4 million in payments to 125
advanced biofuel producers to support the production of advanced
biofuels from a wide variety of non-food sources, including waste
products. The funding will be provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program
for Advanced Biofuels, which makes payments to eligible producers based
on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass,
other than corn kernel starch. Eligible feedstocks include crop residue;
animal, food, and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat.
For example, Somerset Hardwood Flooring in
Somerset, Kentucky, will receive a $7,040 payment for producing wood
pellets from residual sawdust from its hardwood flooring manufacturing
process. The company produces about 40 tons of wood pellets annually.
Likewise, FPE Renewables, LLC, based in Lyden, Washington, will receive a
payment of $9,612 for using dairy waste to produce biogas, which is
then converted to electricity. And Virginia Biodiesel Refinery in West
Point, Virginia, will receive a payment of $7,900 for making biodiesel
from soybean and recycled cooking oil. See the USDA press release.
Six New England States Launch Regional Renewable Energy Initiative
The New England Governors' Conference on July 30
passed a resolution to launch a coordinated regional procurement of
renewable energy. The leaders of six states—Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont—have agreed to
release a request for proposals (RFP) in 2013 for a significant amount
of renewable energy.
The resolution charges The New England States
Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) with developing and implementing a
work plan on behalf of the New England Governors that will result in the
release of a renewable energy RFP. NESCOE will convene a procurement
team from each state that will finalize the details of the competitive
regional procurement over the course of the next year.
This concept has been successfully used on the
state level in the past. For example, Massachusetts has its own version
of a competitive procurement for renewable energy in The Green
Communities Act, which requires utilities to enter into long-term
contracts with the developers of renewable energy projects in order to
help them obtain financing. See the Massachusetts press release and the procurement resolution
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CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov |
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Houses of Bark and Energy of Sunshine
Highland Craftsmen Inc., a small poplar bark
shingle manufacturer in North Carolina, recently achieved the energy
efficiency milestone of net zero electricity use with funds provided
through the Energy Department's State Energy Program (SEP) under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). The owners, Marty
and Chris McCurry, installed photovoltaic panels at their manufacturing
plant to generate electricity, and they upgraded controls, piping, and
flooring to improve the operation of three natural gas kilns that dry
locally purchased wood. The grants were provided by the North Carolina
Department of Commerce's Green Business Fund using Recovery Act SEP
funds and were administered by the North Carolina Energy Office.
The energy efficiency upgrades will help the
company produce its Bark House Brand siding with net zero electricity
use, which means the operation will produce at least as much electricity
as it uses in one year. The solar installation will decrease Highland
Craftsmen's electric bills by $6,000 per year, enabling the company to
sell the excess power back to the grid. The kiln upgrade, which is
expected to improve kiln efficiency by 40 percent, will account for
$5,000 in energy savings. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) |
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