Photo via: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

A new laser currently being tested at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermoore National Laboratory has caught the imagination of many scientists and critics. For one, it is one of the largest lasers ever to be developed. It takes up the space of a standard-sized stadium, housing 192 individual beams, each combining into one ultimate beam that is said to have the equivalent intensity and heat energy as the sun itself….

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San Francisco’s Center for the Book brought some of the old school printing know how to Maker Faire 09 to remind us all that while e-readers might be the buzz word, books are not dead. And with art like this behind them, they never will be….

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The Maker Shed at Maker Faire 09 had loads of very cool books, kits and gadgets, including quite a few green-themed items. Despite the fact that it would have been really fun to load up one of the cardboard shopping baskets and bring home solar gadget kits and geeky books, I reminded myself that I don’t actually need any of these things and managed to resist. Instead, I took photos so that I could share them with you, because, well, maybe you need them! Check out my wish list of cool green stuff from Maker Shed. …

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In this day and age, it is your responsibility and your obligation to be environmentally conscience and do your part towards conserving energy.Energy conservation is not merely reduced usage of fuel but also looking for a substitute fuel to prevent global warming and atmospheric pollution.By using organic fuels like bio diesel and bio gas, air pollution and global warming can be reduced to some extent.Cars are being invented that could run on batteries and solar power.Invention and usage of transportation by such means must be initiated and provided encouragement, for using it on a large scale. (…)

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Beat The Summer Heat – Keep Cool And Stay Energy Efficient (photo: paulotavio via Flickr)

Summertime is almost here, but hot weather doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing power bills and nonstop air conditioning. We’ve compiled these tips to help you maximize your summer comfort and energy efficiency.

© Justin Thomas for MetaEfficient Review, 2009. |
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Renewable Energy-Related Legislation in New York

A renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was adopted by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) in September 2004 with a target of 19% to 25% increase in the proportion of electricity used by retail consumers in New York State derived from renewable resources by 2013 after scrutinizing public hearings from more than 150 parties. Two distinct approaches were taken to accomplish the goal. Among them a central procurement approach would cause an increase of 24% and a voluntary green market approach would provide the rest 1%. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) was given the task of monitoring this RPS program. Mainly two tiers of resources were considered eligible under RPS program – a Main Tier and a Customer-Sited Tier. NYSERDA has the authority to procure Main Tier resources by a many means e.g. standard offer contracts, requests of proposal or through auctions also. Under these two tiers RPS also supported incentives programs which were previously supported by System Benefit Charge (SBC). An amount of $45 million was funded for Customer-Sited Tier.

PSC also recommended an Implementation Plan to guide the program through 2013. But an extension was filed by Congress for Production Tax Credit (PTC) allowable for certain renewable facilities with a deadline of December 31, 2005. By the end 22 proposals were submitted and 7 projects were awarded. On April 14, 2005 the Implementation Plan was developed and approved by the Commission which would identify the procedures based on their eligibility and future procurements. On January 26, 2006 NYSERDA was authorized by the Commission to conduct solicitations of Main Tier Resources in 2006 and 2007. NYSERDA approved its Operating Plan for the Customer-Sited Tier on February 12, 2007. On October 28, 2008 PSC issued an order to reallocate funding to the Customer-Sited Tier and subsequently authorized $20.6 million for the solar photovoltaic (PV) category. This program will provide cash incentives for the installation of new Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems by eligible Installers. Incentives will be granted till September 2009 on a first-come, first-served basis or until funds are fully committed.

Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit

This provision is applicable to taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2006. It acts mainly on expenditures on PV equipments for residential property and equal to 25% of the total cost of PV equipment and installation. Solar Energy equipment is identified as “an arrangement or combination of components utilizing solar radiation, which, when installed in a residence, produces energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water or electricity.” The PV system size is limited to 25 kW according to the net meeting law expanded by S.B. 7171 on August 2008. SunPower is one company targeting New York solar installations, they have sponsored the creation of these articles here on Solar Power Authority.

Local Option – Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption

There is a provision for property tax exemption for solar and wind energy systems constructed in NY State under Section 487 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law. Local government is authorized to allow or deny it. Property owners can also enter into a contract for payments in lieu of taxes. Generally the exemption will be equal to the increase in assessed value attributable to the solar, wind or farm-waste energy system.

Solar Sales Tax Exemption

NY State issued this exemption program in July, 2005 on sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state’s sales and compensating use taxes. Various systems utilizing solar radiation to produce energy can avail this exemption. No recreation systems are allowed for this exemption. Local Governments can also approve an exemption from local taxes under this law.

NYSERDA – Distributed Generation as Combined Heat and Power (DG-CHP)

This multi-faceted program implemented mainly three initiatives under different categories to achieve its goal which was the advancement of DG-CHP technology within NY State. These three initiatives are new demonstration, existing facility improvement, and technology transfer. A fund of $25 million was granted to invest in one or all of these three aspects of this program.

New York City – Property Tax Abatement for Photovoltaic (PV) Equipment Expenditures

Property tax abatement for photovoltaic (PV) system expenditures was allowed by the NY State in August 2008. Mainly cities with more than 1 million population were eligible. Systems placed in service by December, 2010 can get abatement up to 8.75% against eligible annual expenditures for four consecutive years. Then, systems which were placed in service in between January, 2011 and December, 2012 can apply and avail an abatement of 5.0%. Department of Finance administers this abatement program collaboratively with Department of Buildings.

Rebate Programs

Town of Southampton – Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program

Under this rebate program every individual and commercial organization is entitled to a flat rebate of $2,500 for PV systems of 5kW in the Town of Southampton, NY. The installation cost of the applicant must be paid by the applicant and smaller systems are not accepted under this program. Systems must abide by all the applicable state and local laws. Initially an amount of $50,000 was approved sufficient enough for 20 rebates. This program is due to expire on December 31, 2009.

Long Island Power Authority – Energy Efficient Commercial Construction Rebate Program

Long Island Power Authority has been providing full support to its non-residential customers through this Commercial Construction Program. It’s a utility rebate program availavle for various technologies like Air conditioners, Heat Pumps, Compressed air, Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Vending Machine Controls etc. In return LIPA will retain the ownership of all rights to existing and future emissions credits. And rebate over $10, 000 will require pre-approval.

Long Island Power Authority – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

This utility rebate program will provide an opportunity for residential customers to increase the efficiency of their homes. Air conditioning systems and air-source heat pumps can avail rebates under the Cool Homes Program. Efficiency rating is SEER 14 and EER 12. And the owner should get the units installed by Cool Homes Contractor. Moreover, rebates for new and replacement geothermal heat pumps are also available under the Geothermal Energy Wise Program.

Long Island Power Authority – Solar Rebate Program

To develop clean energy alternatives $32 million was funded under this Solar Pioneer Program in 2000 by LIPA. Later LIPA extended this initiative for another five years with an increase of $5 million in funding. Recently the budgets have been – $44 million in 2007, $48 million in 2008, and $53 million in 2009. In 2009 this program has been expanded again and renamed as Solar Entrepreneur program. Through LIPA rebates a downfall in the costs of PV has been observed. Under this rebate scheme customers can enjoy a rebate for residential systems up to 27.5kW. Till January 2008, rebates have been issued for 1,133 PV systems.

National Grid – Commercial (Electric) Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs

Large commercial and industrial customers can be benefited from this new construction program offering energy statistics, technical assistance and financial incentives. A financial incentive up to 75% of the cost of the energy system can also be availed. This program known as Design 2000plus can pay in between 40% to 50% of the total cost involved in a project.

National Grid – Solar Thermal Rebate Program (Long Island and metro New York)

National Grid customers from Long Island and metro New York using solar thermal technologies can get solar thermal rebate to support various applications like solar hot water heating, solar space heating or high temperature process applications. They can get a rebate of 15% off project costs up to a maximum of $1,500. And commercial users on the other hand can avail a rebate of 50% of the project costs or $100,000 per project.

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Photo from City Coach

How would you react if you lost your mother to breast cancer? If you are Jonathan Cane, you’d organize a virtual-cross-country bicycle race in the storefront on one of Manhattan’s busiest streets. …

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Virginia Tech professor of materials science and engineering Peizhen (Kathy) Lu has developed new barium oxide-, calcium oxide-, magnesia-, and alkali oxide-free glasses that can be used as sealants in both solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOFC/SOEC).

SOFCs operate by separating oxygen ions from air, which pass through a crystal lattice and oxidize a fuel—usually a hydrocarbon. The chemical reaction produces electrons, which flow through an external circuit, creating electricity.

Composed of ceramic materials, SOFCs can operate at temperatures as high as 1,000 °C (1,832 °F). An SOFC can also be designed to operate with reversed direction of current flow as a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) to split steam to produce hydrogen.

To produce enough power or hydrogen for a particular application, SOFC/SOEC modules are stacked together. Suitable sealant material is required to avoid the mixing of fuel (hydrogen or hydrocarbon) and oxidants (oxygen and air) in solid exide fuel cell, and steam and reactant gases in solid oxide electrolyzer cell, to avoid leaking of the gases.

Seals are a key barrier for the high efficiency and long-term integrity of both cells. Although glasses are the best solution for these particular applications, it is very difficult to design a glass to fulfill all the required properties simultaneously. Lu has invented a new self-healing seal glasses that can be used to seal the modules and the stack.

In addition to being BaO-, CaO-, MgO-, and alkali oxide-free, the invented glass seals also contain little amount of or no B₂O₃. All the developed glasses in this invention have glass transition temperature in the range of 680-750 ºC, thermal expansion coefficient in the range of 10.5-12.5×10^-6/ºC from room temperature to glass transition temperature, and dilatometric softening temperature in the range of 720-820 ºC. The glasses are thermally stable up to 850 ºC. The sealing temperature of the developed glasses does not exceed 1000 ºC. The invented glass is suitable for the cells operating at 700-900 ºC for long term.

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties is licensing the invention.

The US Department of Energy has provided $365,000 in funding for Lu’s SOFC and solid oxide electrolyzer cell research so far.

Resources

• K. Lu and M. K. Mahapatra (2008) Network structure and thermal stability study of high temperature seal glass. J. Appl. Phys. 104 074910 doi: 10.1063/1.2979323

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Don’t say ethanol never paid off for anyone. Summitville, Indiana resident Pamela Smith stopped off to buy E85 earlier this month and dropped a few bucks into the Indiana lottery. Luck was with her, and she won the $2.5 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot.

“I was looking for Ethanol gas,” Smith in a statement. “I actually went inside the gas station to thank the manager for carrying Ethanol because it’s so hard to find. It was an impulse buy for me to purchase one dollar of Lotto and one dollar of Powerball.”

Indiana lottery officials said that Smith will take her winnings as a $980,296 lump sum (before taxes). Anyone seen any ethanol company executives down at the corner store lately?

[Source: via Domestic Fuel]

Filed under: Etc., Ethanol

One lucky Hoosier gets ethanol, wins the lottery originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 31 May 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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