EREN Network News

June 23, 1999

News and Events

• White House Sets Goal of 5 Percent Wind Power by 2020
• Texas Electric Restructuring to Boost Renewable Energy
• Students Road-Test Solar Technologies in Sunrayce '99
• Connecticut Joins DOE's Clean Cities Program
• Report: Developing Countries Should Pursue Renewables

Site News

• European Deep Geothermal Energy Programme
• Bioenergy and Hydrogen Added to EREN Home Page

Energy Facts and Tips

• Continued Growth Projected in Aviation Energy Use
• Minimizing Your Central Air Conditioner's Energy Use

About this Newsletter

News and Events

White House Sets Goal of 5 Percent Wind Power by 2020
The Clinton Administration has created a new initiative, "Wind Powering America," to increase the use of wind energy in the United States. The initiative sets a goal of providing 5 percent of the nation's electricity from wind power by 2020, with the federal government leading the way by buying 5 percent of its electricity from wind power by 2010. The initiative also aims to expand the number of states in which wind power is being generated. See the new Wind Powering America page on the EREN Web site.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced the initiative in the opening session of Windpower '99, the annual conference of the wind energy industry. Secretary Richardson also announced nearly $1.2 million in DOE grants for wind energy projects in 10 states. For more information, see the DOE press release.

In related news, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has agreed to buy the electricity from an additional 1.8 megawatts of wind power. Three new wind turbines have been installed at the Foote Creek Wind Energy Project in Wyoming to meet BPA's needs. SeaWest WindPower Inc. owns and operates the turbines, which went on-line on June 18th. For more information, see the DOE press release.

Texas Electric Restructuring to Boost Renewable Energy
A newly approved electric utility restructuring bill in Texas includes a provision to add 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable-energy generating capacity by 2009. The bill, signed by Governor Bush on June 18th, ramps up to the 2,000-MW goal by requiring the addition of 400 MW of renewable capacity by 2003, another 450 MW by 2005, another 550 MW by 2007, and a final 600 MW by 2009. The bill also requires that 50 percent of the new generating capacity in the state be fueled by natural gas —a source that will be labeled as "green" electricity.

The state will gradually transition to a competitive electric market by January 1, 2002. Each electricity provider will be assigned minimum renewable energy and natural gas quotas. Those providers that exceed the quota can sell credits to those providers that are not meeting the quota.

The bill and related legislative information is posted on the Texas Legislature Online Web site. Enter "SB7" in the "Bill Number:" space.

Students Road-Test Solar Technologies in Sunrayce '99
A pack of solar-powered cars raced out of Washington, D.C., on June 20th to begin Sunrayce '99, the largest solar race in the United States. Forty vehicles had registered and qualified for the event, which will cover 1,400 miles in five states. The 10-day race will conclude at Epcot in Orlando, Florida. For more information, see the Sunrayce Web site.

Connecticut Joins DOE's Clean Cities Program
On June 21st, the Capitol Clean Cities of Connecticut Coalition was designated as the newest member of DOE's Clean Cities Program. The coalition includes four previously designated Clean Cities coalitions as well as cities across the state of Connecticut. Coalition partners currently operate more than 1,100 alternative-fuel vehicles and plan to add more than 850 by the year 2002. Among the coalition's key priorities are fleet recruitment and strategic infrastructure development along several major interstate highways. For more information, see the DOE press release.

For more information about the Clean Cities Program, see the Web site.

Report: Developing Countries Should Pursue Renewables
Renewable energy technologies can help developing countries lower their greenhouse gas emissions while improving their economic growth, says a new report by the RAND think tank. Compared to a "business as usual" scenario, the report found that an increased use of renewable energy and natural gas could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 25 percent with the same economic benefits. The report also recommended increasing privatization, increasing the efficiency of electricity supply and demand, and including the costs of electricity delivery in investment decisions. The report was released on June 16th by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. For more information, see the Pew Center's press release.

Site News

European Deep Geothermal Energy Programme
The European Deep Geothermal Energy Programme is a "European research programme for heat and electrical power generation from a deep enhanced geothermal system" in Soultz-sous-Forets, France. The site includes information about major events and results from the past phase of the Soultz hot dry rock (HDR) program, the program plan for 1998-2001, a planned scientific pilot plant, and a future industrial pilot plant. The site also provides information on HDR technology, European and worldwide HDR projects, and program funding agencies and partners.

For this and other recent additions see the EREN Web site.

Bioenergy and Hydrogen Added to EREN Home Page
Two new technology categories—bioenergy and hydrogen—have been added to the EREN Home Page. The addition of bioenergy reflects an integration of DOE's efforts to develop organic energy sources for the production of electricity, transportation fuels, and chemicals. Bioenergy sources include agricultural and forestry residues and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes. Hydrogen was previously included under alternative fuels, but now stands as a separate category.

Energy Facts and Tips

Continued Growth Projected in Aviation Energy Use
In many of the industrialized countries, energy use is growing slower than the gross domestic product (GDP) -- an indication that industries and businesses are becoming less energy-intensive. A significant exception to the rule is aviation. Since 1960, passenger traffic on airlines has increased at nearly 9 percent per year, which is 2.4 times the average GDP growth rate.

A study recently released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects a continued growth in passenger traffic and aviation energy use. Looking ahead to 2050, the IPCC projects that aviation energy use will increase to at least 50 percent above 1990 levels and possibly as much as nine times those levels. Although aviation is currently responsible for only 13 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from transportation sources, this percentage could increase significantly by 2050. For more information, see the IPCC Web site.

Minimizing Your Central Air Conditioner's Energy Use
If you have a central air conditioner, there are a number of simple steps you can take to minimize its energy use. Start by changing its filter and clearing the outdoor condensers of any leaves or other debris. If your outdoor condenser is in direct sunlight, consider adding a fence or planting a shade tree to keep the condenser cooler. Finally, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. For other tips, see "Lowering Your Central Air Conditioner's Energy Use".

About this Newsletter

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