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The California Independent System Operator (ISO) Board of Governors, which manages the flow of electricity along California's power grid, has announced that it will install a new transmission line to carry wind energy from the Tehachapi and Antelope Valley area to customers throughout California. The California ISO approved the transmission line in response to expected expansion of wind generation in the area to meet California's Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires 20 percent of energy delivered by investor-owned utilities to be from renewable power by 2017. The ISO predicts the 25-mile Antelope-Pardee line will cost about $94 million and could be online by December 2006. See the California ISO press release on the transmission line.
Altamont Pass Research May Lead to Reduced Bird Deaths
Plans to expand wind production in California's Altamont Pass have been on hold while researchers study ways to reduce bird collisions with turbines. The results of a four-year study the California Energy Commission released on August 10 predict that several measures could reduce bird deaths by up to 50 percent for some species at Altamont Pass. The study, done by a private consultant, estimates that 1,766 to 4,721 birds, of which 881 to 1300 are protected raptors, are killed annually at Altamont Pass, the world's largest wind farm region. Researchers studied bird behaviors, raptor prey species availability, wind turbine and tower design and location, landscape attributes, and range management practices. The goal was to develop models that could be used to predict high- collision risk situations. Researchers concluded the most effective solution to reducing bird collisions in the area is to replace the numerous small existing turbines with fewer larger turbines on taller towers. The newer turbines are more efficient, with one turbine generating the same capacity as seven to ten older ones.
Other recommendations include: relocating selected highly dangerous turbines; removing broken and non-operating turbines; installing structures at the ends of turbine strings to divert birds around the turbines; and developing management practices, other than poisoning, to control rodentsfood sources for birdsthat may congregate around the base of turbines. The 520-page report "Developing Methods to Reduce Bird Mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area," is available on the California Energy Commission's Web site.
An innovative "hybrid business plan," developed by Cooperative Development Services in Wisconsin, may help small investors, farmers, and landowners develop wind projects. The model details the steps for small investors to join together with a larger investor in need of a tax write-off. Under the model, the investors would form an LLC that would loan the larger investor money to help fund the purchase of the installation of the wind project. The LLC would be paid interest for ten years - the term in which the larger company could use the federal tax credits. After ten years the larger corporation would give ownership of the operation to the LLC as payment for principal owed. "Both parties would come out ahead," according to Mary Meyers of Cooperative Development Services. For the report summary or to request copies of the full report, see the Focus on Energy Web site.
A statewide initiative focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency is saving Wisconsin residents $20.2 million a year in energy costs, according to Focus on Energy, a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. The savings occurs through Focus on Energy's programs for residential energy users, which help residents install ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting, upgrade insulation, water heaters, and heating and cooling systems, build high-performance homes, and install renewable energy systems at home. More than 3,000 Wisconsin ENERGY STAR homes have been built since the Focus on Energy program's inception in 1999, and the City of Madison and Dane County bought more than 4,5000 compact fluorescent light bulbs at a Focus on Energy sale earlier this year. For more details on Wisconsin's energy efficiency projects, see the press release on the Focus on Energy Web site.
NASA engineers and industry partners have completed tests on variations of solar sail technology, a solar propulsion system that could enable future deep space missions. According to the NASA announcement, released August 9th, the technology bounces a stream of solar particles off giant reflective sails made of lightweight material 40 to 100 times thinner than a piece of writing paper. The continuous pressure provides sufficient thrust to perform maneuvers, such as hovering at a point in space, which would require too much propellant for conventional rocket systems. Solar sails are about the size of a football field and are supported by booms, just like sea ship sails. NASA's industry partners developing space sails include L'Garde Inc, and Able Engineering. For more details on the sails and the tests, see NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center's press release.
For videos, photos, drawings and details on testing of solar sails, see L'Garde's Web site.
This Alliance to Save Energy Web site offers information to help consumers save money, increase comfort, and reduce pollution through energy efficiency. The site offers information about home energy audits, energy-efficient products, refinancing and remodeling, and lowering energy bills.
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