EREN Network News

June 30, 1999

News and Events

• University of Missouri-Rolla Wins Sunrayce 99
• Senate Amendment Blocks Federal Energy Executive Order
• U.S. Gained 1,000 Megawatts of Wind in Past Year
• 30-Kilowatt Solar Energy System Dedicated at the Pentagon
• Vermont Legislature Creates "Energy Efficiency Utility"
• DOE To Fund Generation of Power from Paper Mill Waste
• "Under the Sun" Exhibit Comes to the Smithsonian

Site News

• EnergySmart Schools

Energy Facts and Tips

• State Electricity Profiles
• Lowering Your Room Air Conditioner's Energy Use

About this Newsletter

News and Events

University of Missouri-Rolla Wins Sunrayce 99
Sunrayce 99, the largest solar race in the United States, concluded today at Epcot near Orlando, Florida. The unofficial results have the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) winning with an average speed of 25.3 miles per hour and finishing nearly 50 minutes ahead of the nearest competitor. Cloudy skies plagued the race, holding average speeds far below last year's winning 43.3 miles per hour. Twenty nine vehicles participated in the 10-day race, which started in Washington, D.C., and covered 1,400 miles. For more information, see the Sunrayce Web site.

See also the UMR Solar Car Team Web site.

Senate Amendment Blocks Federal Energy Executive Order
The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) reported on June 25th that new language had been inserted into the Senate Interior Appropriations bill to block the executive order on federal energy management, which was signed by President Clinton in early June. The language would forbid the use of DOE funds "to study, develop, or implement procedures or policies to establish energy efficiency, energy use or energy acquisition rules or guidelines other than those based upon the provisions of the Energy Conservation Policy Act (EPCA) of 1975." For more information, see the ASE press release.

U.S. Gained 1,000 Megawatts of Wind in Past Year
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that in the past 12 months, the installation of new wind turbines and the repowering of old wind turbines in the United States exceeded 1,000 megawatts (MW). That growth rate beats a 1985 record of 400 MW in one year and represents a total wind-energy investment of more than $1 billion. The new wind capacity will annually generate enough electricity to serve the needs of 250,000 typical U.S. households. For more information, see the AWEA press release.

30-Kilowatt Solar Energy System Dedicated at the Pentagon
DOE and the Department of Defense dedicated a 30-kilowatt solar electric system at the Pentagon on June 28th. Both agencies and several private companies contributed to the cost of the system, which is one of the largest photovoltaic solar installations on the East Coast. The solar modules incorporate micro-inverters that convert the sunlight directly into alternating current, the type of electricity used for most electrical devices. The system is the largest in the United States to incorporate this innovative technology. For more information, see the DOE press release.

Vermont Legislature Creates "Energy Efficiency Utility"
Early this month, the governor of Vermont signed a bill into law that will create an "energy efficiency utility" -- an independent organization to implement energy-saving programs throughout Vermont. The bill allows funding for the organization of up to $17.5 million annually, generated by a fee on all electricity sales. The bill as enacted is posted on the State of Vermont Web site.

The bill is directly related to a docket that has been under consideration by Vermont's Public Service Board. See the Board's Web site.

DOE To Fund Generation of Power from Paper Mill Waste
DOE is advancing a new technology for the generation of power from black liquor, a waste product of the pulp and paper mill industry. DOE announced on June 24th that it will provide $1.75 million to both Champion International and Georgia Pacific Corp. to develop black liquor gasification for electric power production. The new technology could cut carbon emissions annually by more than 30 million metric tons, equal to removing 6.5 million cars from the road, and could turn the paper industry into a net generator of electricity. For more information, see the DOE press release.

"Under the Sun" Exhibit Comes to the Smithsonian
A new exhibit, "Under the Sun: An Outdoor Exhibition of Light," is now on display at the Enid A. Haupt Garden of the Smithsonian Institution. The traveling exhibit illustrates how clean solar technologies can be incorporated into everyday home and office products. The exhibit highlights photovoltaic solar cell technology, and was developed with the assistance of DOE and BP Solarex. For more information, see the DOE press release.

See also the Smithsonian Institution's description.

Site News

EnergySmart Schools
EnergySmart Schools is a partnership coordinated by DOE that "brings together public and private organizations to cut school energy bills while providing healthy, comfortable classrooms." The site describes the partnership's goals and action plan, how the partnership helps schools, and how to become an EnergySmart Schools partner. The site includes information on designing new buildings and improving existing ones; information on using alternative fueled school buses; teaching resources; success stories; an events calendar; and news about what schools and partners are doing to save energy.

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

Energy Facts and Tips

State Electricity Profiles
Where does the electricity come from in your state? How does it compare with other states in terms of emissions from power plants? What is the status of electric utility restructuring in your state? You can find answers to these questions and more from the State Electricity Profiles, prepared by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA recently finished posting all the state information in convenient html format. See the State Electricity Profiles.

Lowering Your Room Air Conditioner's Energy Use
A little planning before installing your room air conditioner will save you energy and money. If possible, install the unit in a shaded spot on your home's north or east side. Direct sunshine on the unit's outdoor heat exchanger decreases efficiency by as much as 10 percent. You can plant trees and shrubs to shade the air conditioner, but do not block the airflow.

Set the fan speed on high, except on very humid days. When humidity is high, set the fan speed on low for more comfort. The low speed on humid days will cool your home better and will remove more moisture from the air because of slower air movement through the cooling equipment.

For more tips, see Lowering Your Room Air Conditioner's Energy Use".

About this Newsletter

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