US Renewable Energy Advocates in Germany; Discussing COP15 and beyond from the trenches
http://renewableadvocates.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/a-feed-in-what/
A Feed-in WHAT?!
21 January 2010 by RE fan
Want something to work on that promotes the use of renewable energy so that the US has something to show at COP16? A renewable energy policy that began in the United States (Jimmy Carter: 1978), was popularized by Germany, is slowly (ever so slowly) making its way back to its maker—the “feed-in tariff” or FiT. (A tariff? could be dangerous. Well, make sure you read paragraph 4) Gainesville, FL adopted a FiT in March 2009 and has experienced huge gains in solar installations. There are a few other FiTs in Vermont and California too. That’s great, but what is a FiT anyway?
The Sunshine State!
Using sources of renewable energy (eg. solar, wind) is currently more expensive than traditional sources (eg. coal). Unless purchasing renewable energy is incentivised, the prohibitive high prices of renewables may mean that these clean energy technologies never take off, where economies of scale can allow renewable energy to reach grid parity (ie. same price as traditional energy sources). Basically, a FiT requires that utilities pay above market prices for energy produced from renewable sources and this is guaranteed for a set amount of time. The extra cost is distributed among the consumers where (in Germany) they may pay ~ 3% more on their electricity bill. So once you install solar panels, which are likely to be subsidized, the utilities will pay you for the electricity you produce!
Renewables Pay
In Germany, this incentive is designed to taper off to promote more efficient and greater production of renewables. The added cost per German household in 2007 was 3-4 Euros per month, or approximately 1 latte, as reported in the National Journal. Neville Williams, author of “Chasing the Sun: Solar Adventures around the World” (I recommend this to anyone interested in the potential impact that renewables can have in developing countries), comments on both the FiT adoption in Florida and Germany’s added costs to the consumer. He says the added costs in Florida is much cheaper than building new power plants for the needed energy.
For what it represents, the name “feed-in tariff” is quite misleading and may actually be one of the main reasons why it has not succeeded in the US thus far. Using the word “tariff” is big no-no for politicians. The original German term is “Einspeiseverguetung” Einspeise (feed-in, from “ein” and “speisen”) Verguetung (compensation, fee or payment). Basically, it is “compensation” for you (the producer) “feed(ing)-in” the renewable energy you produce to the grid. Wherever this policy is implemented, renewable installations take off! Germany has the solar isolation (amount of sunlight hitting the earth) equivalent to Alaska and they still accounted for almost half of all solar installations worldwide in 2007.
The U.S. can do Better
Think this is a great idea? It can be. There are some logistical/technical problems associated “tying into the grid” such as how to balance production using variable (coal) and intermittent (wind, solar, etc) power sources to meet demand. This has produced some headaches. For example, I was told that one really windy day a while back, wind turbines produced so much extra electricity in Germany that a coal-fired power plant had to be shut down for a while. All RE had to be purchased and to prevent excess electricity from being wasted the plant had to go offline. Cool right? Well, it is very difficult to stop and start a coal-fired power plant. Imagine having to synchronize something like this with more RE in the mix. That’s where careful planning, redesigning the grid and scientific breakthroughs in energy storage come in…what are you waiting for? Get to work!
http://renewableadvocates.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/a-feed-in-what/
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Monday, August 31, 2009
FPL executives make weak case for rate increase
Palm Beach Post Letters to the Editor
Monday, August 31, 2009
Provide renewable energy systems
Florida Power & Light Vice President Tim Fitzpatrick states in his Aug. 20 letter, "Our base rate is 17 percent lower than it was nearly a quarter-century ago" ("FPL: Post misrepresented request's impact on businesses"). However, Florida's electric base-rate is above the national average.
Moreover, Mr. Fitzpatrick states that, "FPL's requested Return on Equity of 12.5 percent is necessary to help attract investment to support $16 billion in capital expenditures over the next five years." To the contrary, FPL stock gets the highest rating from Standard & Poor's, and FPL's credit rating is top-notch. FPL is trying to enrich its stockholders at the expense of its customers.
The Florida Public Service Commission should order FPL to lower its base rate for power and should further order FPL to provide its customers with lease-to-own solar energy systems tied to FPL's grid. The cost of these renewable energy systems are rebated by the state at $4 per installed watt, and the federal government rebates an additional 30 percent.
Once the solar system is installed, FPL is required to install a net-meter that moves forward to pay FPL and backward for FPL to pay back the customer for energy generated. If a properly sized solar system is installed, the customer's bill will go down to zero and FPL will have to pay the customer for excess power generated to FPL's grid. No need for $16 billion in capital expenditures by FPL over the next five years.
It's time for the Florida Public Service Commission to act in the best interests of Florida residents and require such utilities to provide lease-to-own renewable energy systems.
THOMAS SAPORITO
Jupiter
Editor's note: Thomas Saporito is executive director of Renewable Electric Systems.com.
Generate revenue by issuing bonds
In response to Florida Power & Light CEO Armando Olivera's Aug. 26 defense of the company's rate request: Enough is enough. ("FPL: Rate increase will save customers money in the long run.")
Mr. Olivera accuses The Post of not being logical, but he continues to say that FPL customers will see an offset of the rate increase through a decrease in fuel costs, which is a variable charge. He also uses the logic that FPL has the lowest rates in the state. His logic comes from the thinking after Florida was hit with hurricanes, and FPL wanted compensation because the power was out, so use went down. It also comes from asking for voluntary donations to increase the "green" generation of power. As everyone knows, these voluntary funds were misused.
FPL is a regulated monopoly. FPL also has the highest volume of customers in the state. Every company has fixed costs and variable costs. Costs are not exponential based on the increase of users. In other words, by adding 10 percent more customers, costs do not increase by 10 percent. Since FPL has the largest customer base, the company has locked in volume while spreading the costs. Other Florida power companies have a much smaller base, therefore less absorption of costs. In Florida, FPL should have the lowest rates.
There are other means to generate revenue. Why is FPL not considering issuing bonds? For FPL to increase rates to invite investors is just a ploy to drive the stock price up. I believe that Mr. Olivera needs to look within before raising rates in a state that has high unemployment and where senior citizens will be getting no increase in Social Security for two years. Floridians are being nickled and dimed to death. I guess Mr. Olivera just doesn't care.
KEVIN MACKEY
Boynton Beach
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2009/08/31/mondaywebletters0831.html
Palm Beach Post Letters to the Editor
Monday, August 31, 2009
Provide renewable energy systems
Florida Power & Light Vice President Tim Fitzpatrick states in his Aug. 20 letter, "Our base rate is 17 percent lower than it was nearly a quarter-century ago" ("FPL: Post misrepresented request's impact on businesses"). However, Florida's electric base-rate is above the national average.
Moreover, Mr. Fitzpatrick states that, "FPL's requested Return on Equity of 12.5 percent is necessary to help attract investment to support $16 billion in capital expenditures over the next five years." To the contrary, FPL stock gets the highest rating from Standard & Poor's, and FPL's credit rating is top-notch. FPL is trying to enrich its stockholders at the expense of its customers.
The Florida Public Service Commission should order FPL to lower its base rate for power and should further order FPL to provide its customers with lease-to-own solar energy systems tied to FPL's grid. The cost of these renewable energy systems are rebated by the state at $4 per installed watt, and the federal government rebates an additional 30 percent.
Once the solar system is installed, FPL is required to install a net-meter that moves forward to pay FPL and backward for FPL to pay back the customer for energy generated. If a properly sized solar system is installed, the customer's bill will go down to zero and FPL will have to pay the customer for excess power generated to FPL's grid. No need for $16 billion in capital expenditures by FPL over the next five years.
It's time for the Florida Public Service Commission to act in the best interests of Florida residents and require such utilities to provide lease-to-own renewable energy systems.
THOMAS SAPORITO
Jupiter
Editor's note: Thomas Saporito is executive director of Renewable Electric Systems.com.
Generate revenue by issuing bonds
In response to Florida Power & Light CEO Armando Olivera's Aug. 26 defense of the company's rate request: Enough is enough. ("FPL: Rate increase will save customers money in the long run.")
Mr. Olivera accuses The Post of not being logical, but he continues to say that FPL customers will see an offset of the rate increase through a decrease in fuel costs, which is a variable charge. He also uses the logic that FPL has the lowest rates in the state. His logic comes from the thinking after Florida was hit with hurricanes, and FPL wanted compensation because the power was out, so use went down. It also comes from asking for voluntary donations to increase the "green" generation of power. As everyone knows, these voluntary funds were misused.
FPL is a regulated monopoly. FPL also has the highest volume of customers in the state. Every company has fixed costs and variable costs. Costs are not exponential based on the increase of users. In other words, by adding 10 percent more customers, costs do not increase by 10 percent. Since FPL has the largest customer base, the company has locked in volume while spreading the costs. Other Florida power companies have a much smaller base, therefore less absorption of costs. In Florida, FPL should have the lowest rates.
There are other means to generate revenue. Why is FPL not considering issuing bonds? For FPL to increase rates to invite investors is just a ploy to drive the stock price up. I believe that Mr. Olivera needs to look within before raising rates in a state that has high unemployment and where senior citizens will be getting no increase in Social Security for two years. Floridians are being nickled and dimed to death. I guess Mr. Olivera just doesn't care.
KEVIN MACKEY
Boynton Beach
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2009/08/31/mondaywebletters0831.html
Thursday, May 21, 2009
What is Green?
chicagotribune.com
Green consumer habits
Earth Day is past : Now what can we do?
Businesses are getting into the spirit of environmentalism
By Claudia Buck
McClatchy Newspapers
3:19 PM CDT, May 12, 2009
If only cash sprouted as easily as backyard weeds, we'd all be cheering. But greening up your wallet is still doable. Here are some Earth-friendly money habits you might want to adopt.
Green Donations
It's grown from a Bay Area brainstorm into a global campaign to get businesses into the spirit of environmentalism. Buy a shirt, a chocolate bar, a beer -- even fencing supplies or legal services -- and 1 percent of the company's gross sales are pledged to environmental nonprofit groups.
Since launching from a California Patagonia store in 2002, the One Percent for the Planet -- or 1% FTP -- program has now spread to some 1,138 businesses in 38 countries, said Terry Kellogg, the Vermont-based CEO of 1% FTP.
The participating companies range from big retailers like Sony to independent jewelry sellers. The recipients run from high-profile nonprofits like the Sierra Club to tiny grassroots groups. Based on company audits, Kellogg said more than $42 million has been contributed to environmental causes in the past six years.
For details go to, One Percent for the Planet
www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Green Funds
One way to feel environmentally good about your investing dollars is with so-called "green mutual funds."
The Green Money Journal recently released its new Top 10 list of mutual funds that invest in companies devoted to alternative energy, clean water, organic products and those that avoid alcohol, tobacco, gambling or weapons.
The annual list is a mix of new funds and those that have changed or enhanced their investment mix to be more environmentally conscious, said Cliff Feigenbaum, founder and president of the Green Money Journal, based in Santa Fe, N.M.
His list of mutual funds that are "greening it up": Appleseed Fund, Integrity Growth & Income Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Social Sustainability Fund, Dreyfus Global Sustainability Fund, Calvert Large Cap Value Fund, Calvert Global Water Fund, Pax World Global Green Fund, Pax World International Fund, Pax World Small Cap Fund and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund.
For more details, go to Green Money
Green Banking
All kinds of companies, from banks to your local utility, are urging customers to switch to electronic billing, statements and payments. The notion: Pay online, save a tree. Or two.
Pay It Green is a coalition of financial services companies that promotes electronic billing. According to the coalition, if the average U.S. household switched to electronic payments, it would annually save 6.6 pounds of paper, eliminate 4.5 gallons of gasoline (consumed by mailing and delivering all those paper payments) and eliminate 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions (the equivalent of 169 miles of driving or conserving 24 square feet of forestland).
A handy calculator at www.payitgreen.org lets you compute your "financial paper footprint." Another proponent, eBill Place, puts it more personally. By its "Cash & Time" calculation, the average family would save $50 a year in postage and five hours of time spent writing and stuffing checks into envelopes.
Green Plastic
If your wallet is weighed down by plastic gift cards, credit cards, gasoline cards and such, maybe it's time for some pruning. As we all know, clipping up or paying down costly credit cards can be a huge lift to your bank account.
But don't just snip and toss that plastic. If it's a used-up gift card, ask to have it reloaded with cash. If it's a no-longer-needed credit card, hotel key or other plastic, toss it in your recycling bin.
But check to be sure it's actually recyclable; some companies are converting to biodegradable materials. The Sacramento, Calif., landfill says most aren't suitable for recycle.
A greener solution? Pop it in the mail to Earthworks System, a company in Solon, Ohio, that's on a crusade to rid the world's landfills of those tiny rectangles of credit. For more information on Earthworks, go to www.earthworkssystem.com.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sfl-green-consumer-habits-051809,0,6869925.story
Youth creates 'Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth'
From Society Scene |A marketing publication of the Sun-Sentinel Company
May 20, 2009
The Craig Zinn Automotive Group, South Florida's Premier Auto Group, joined Young At Art Children's Museum and Kids Ecology Corps to host the "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth" art contest awards ceremony and family-friendly reception at Lexus of Pembroke Pines. The event celebrated the achievements of all participants and winners of the "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth" art contest. More than 300 students in grades 6 through 12 throughout the tri-county area created their "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth." This contest not only showcased students' artistic talents, but also helped spread the word on fuel and economic efficiency in transportation.
"We were thrilled to host such an educational, fun and inspirational event that allows us to be involved with our community's 'green' initiative," said President and CEO of The Craig Zinn Automotive Group, Craig Zinn. "With the construction of our new eco-friendly Lexus dealership under way in North Miami, we strive to encourage South Floridians to work toward making our world a healthier and safer place. We believe that our efforts as a business and community will expand to other areas and aid in keeping the earth clean."
Prizes included gift certificates to The Craig Zinn Automotive Group dealerships, $350 in cash prizes, Apple Store gift cards and gift baskets filled with art supplies.
The event also featured a caricaturist and a live raffle with items such as an autographed Miami Heat basketball, a $200 Visa gift card to Sawgrass Mills Mall and a Young At Art annual membership basket.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flsevisions0520semay20,0,623517.story
Green consumer habits
Earth Day is past : Now what can we do?
Businesses are getting into the spirit of environmentalism
By Claudia Buck
McClatchy Newspapers
3:19 PM CDT, May 12, 2009
If only cash sprouted as easily as backyard weeds, we'd all be cheering. But greening up your wallet is still doable. Here are some Earth-friendly money habits you might want to adopt.
Green Donations
It's grown from a Bay Area brainstorm into a global campaign to get businesses into the spirit of environmentalism. Buy a shirt, a chocolate bar, a beer -- even fencing supplies or legal services -- and 1 percent of the company's gross sales are pledged to environmental nonprofit groups.
Since launching from a California Patagonia store in 2002, the One Percent for the Planet -- or 1% FTP -- program has now spread to some 1,138 businesses in 38 countries, said Terry Kellogg, the Vermont-based CEO of 1% FTP.
The participating companies range from big retailers like Sony to independent jewelry sellers. The recipients run from high-profile nonprofits like the Sierra Club to tiny grassroots groups. Based on company audits, Kellogg said more than $42 million has been contributed to environmental causes in the past six years.
For details go to, One Percent for the Planet
www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Green Funds
One way to feel environmentally good about your investing dollars is with so-called "green mutual funds."
The Green Money Journal recently released its new Top 10 list of mutual funds that invest in companies devoted to alternative energy, clean water, organic products and those that avoid alcohol, tobacco, gambling or weapons.
The annual list is a mix of new funds and those that have changed or enhanced their investment mix to be more environmentally conscious, said Cliff Feigenbaum, founder and president of the Green Money Journal, based in Santa Fe, N.M.
His list of mutual funds that are "greening it up": Appleseed Fund, Integrity Growth & Income Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Social Sustainability Fund, Dreyfus Global Sustainability Fund, Calvert Large Cap Value Fund, Calvert Global Water Fund, Pax World Global Green Fund, Pax World International Fund, Pax World Small Cap Fund and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund.
For more details, go to Green Money
Green Banking
All kinds of companies, from banks to your local utility, are urging customers to switch to electronic billing, statements and payments. The notion: Pay online, save a tree. Or two.
Pay It Green is a coalition of financial services companies that promotes electronic billing. According to the coalition, if the average U.S. household switched to electronic payments, it would annually save 6.6 pounds of paper, eliminate 4.5 gallons of gasoline (consumed by mailing and delivering all those paper payments) and eliminate 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions (the equivalent of 169 miles of driving or conserving 24 square feet of forestland).
A handy calculator at www.payitgreen.org lets you compute your "financial paper footprint." Another proponent, eBill Place, puts it more personally. By its "Cash & Time" calculation, the average family would save $50 a year in postage and five hours of time spent writing and stuffing checks into envelopes.
Green Plastic
If your wallet is weighed down by plastic gift cards, credit cards, gasoline cards and such, maybe it's time for some pruning. As we all know, clipping up or paying down costly credit cards can be a huge lift to your bank account.
But don't just snip and toss that plastic. If it's a used-up gift card, ask to have it reloaded with cash. If it's a no-longer-needed credit card, hotel key or other plastic, toss it in your recycling bin.
But check to be sure it's actually recyclable; some companies are converting to biodegradable materials. The Sacramento, Calif., landfill says most aren't suitable for recycle.
A greener solution? Pop it in the mail to Earthworks System, a company in Solon, Ohio, that's on a crusade to rid the world's landfills of those tiny rectangles of credit. For more information on Earthworks, go to www.earthworkssystem.com.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sfl-green-consumer-habits-051809,0,6869925.story
Youth creates 'Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth'
From Society Scene |A marketing publication of the Sun-Sentinel Company
May 20, 2009
The Craig Zinn Automotive Group, South Florida's Premier Auto Group, joined Young At Art Children's Museum and Kids Ecology Corps to host the "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth" art contest awards ceremony and family-friendly reception at Lexus of Pembroke Pines. The event celebrated the achievements of all participants and winners of the "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth" art contest. More than 300 students in grades 6 through 12 throughout the tri-county area created their "Vision of an Eco-Friendly Earth." This contest not only showcased students' artistic talents, but also helped spread the word on fuel and economic efficiency in transportation.
"We were thrilled to host such an educational, fun and inspirational event that allows us to be involved with our community's 'green' initiative," said President and CEO of The Craig Zinn Automotive Group, Craig Zinn. "With the construction of our new eco-friendly Lexus dealership under way in North Miami, we strive to encourage South Floridians to work toward making our world a healthier and safer place. We believe that our efforts as a business and community will expand to other areas and aid in keeping the earth clean."
Prizes included gift certificates to The Craig Zinn Automotive Group dealerships, $350 in cash prizes, Apple Store gift cards and gift baskets filled with art supplies.
The event also featured a caricaturist and a live raffle with items such as an autographed Miami Heat basketball, a $200 Visa gift card to Sawgrass Mills Mall and a Young At Art annual membership basket.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flsevisions0520semay20,0,623517.story
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