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October/November 2010

Upcoming Events

The November 11, 2010, seminar with Josh Schellenberg has been canceled.

Upcoming Energy Analysis Seminars

  • January 13, 2011 (Golden, Colo.)
    "Integrating Renewable Energy in an Urban Environment" — Wyllys Mann, Delta Institute

For more information on the seminar series — including log-in and call-in information for remote access — visit the Web site.

Publications and Web Sites

Some of the documents in this section are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.
Download Adobe Reader.

Publications and Web Sites

Some of the documents in this section are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.
Download Adobe Reader.

Renewable Energy Data Book

Cover of the 2009 Renewable Energy Data Book report.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has released the updated version of the "2009 Renewable Energy Data Book," which was produced by NREL. It can be accessed from the Maps and Data section of the EERE Web site. This data book (PDF 10.0 MB) contains valuable information on U.S. energy statistics, renewable electricity in the United States, global renewable energy (RE) development, clean energy investments, and data on specific RE technologies, all presented in a graphical format.

Clean Energy Data Book for States

Screenshot of the online levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculator.

NREL has also produced its inaugural "2009 U.S. State Clean Energy Data Book" (PDF 10.7 MB) for EERE's Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program. This resource, which is part of the Clean Energy Policy Analyses (CEPA) series, provides an easy-to-access graphical summary of the status of state-level energy efficiency and renewable energy developments and supporting policy implementation. It provides a reference book for those interested in the progress of the states and regions toward a clean energy economy.

Green Power Status

Cover of the Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (2009 Data) report.

SEAC analysts Lori Bird and Jenny Sumner recently published the annual "Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (2009 Data)." (PDF 1.1 MB)
This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States. Voluntary purchases of green power by consumers and businesses grew by 17% to 30 million megawatt hours (MWh) in 2009, despite the challenging economy. Much of this growth was driven by corporate and institutional purchases of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and renewable electricity purchases in markets with retail competition, such as Texas. Overall, the total number of customers purchasing green power increased by 44% in 2009, which is a higher rate than in previous years; gains came primarily from a competitive offering in Texas introduced in 2009. The data presented in this report are based primarily on figures provided to NREL by utilities and independent renewable energy marketers. The report also discusses current issues and trends in the voluntary market, including REC prices and transparency, and the treatment of renewable energy purchases in greenhouse gas inventories. The report was presented at the Renewable Energy Markets Conference in October.

Feed-In Tariffs and Interconnection

Cover of the The Relevance of Generation Interconnection Procedures to Feed-in Tariffs in the United States report.

NREL analysts Elizabeth Doris and Karlynn Cory worked with authors Sari Fink, Kevin Porter, and Jennifer Rogers of Exeter Associates to publish "The Relevance of Generation Interconnection Procedures to Feed-in Tariffs in the United States." (PDF 606 KB)
A key provision for the success of Feed-in tariff (FIT) policies in Europe is guaranteed interconnection. These policies generally provide guaranteed prices for the full system output from eligible generators for a fixed time period (typically 15-20 years). Due in part to the success of FIT policies in Europe, some jurisdictions in the United States are considering implementing similar policies, and a few have already put such policies in place. This report is intended to offer some guidance to policymakers and regulators on how generator interconnection procedures may affect the implementation of FITs in the United States. It examines model procedures (developed by several organizations), highlights best practices, and explores how state generator interconnection procedures can be formulated to support state renewable energy objectives.

Clean Energy Technology Cooperation

Cover of the Strengthening Clean Energy Technology Cooperation under the UNFCCC: Steps toward Implementation report.

NREL analysts Ron Benioff and Joyce McLaren — along with Helleen de Coninck (ECN) and Subash Dhar, Ulrich Hansen, and Jyoti Painuly (all of Risoe National Laboratory) — recently published the report "Strengthening Clean Energy Technology Cooperation under the UNFCCC: Steps toward Implementation" (PDF 1.1 MB).
Development of a comprehensive and effective global clean technology cooperation framework will require years of experimenting and evaluation with new instruments and institutional arrangements before it is clear what works on which scale and in which region or country. In presenting concrete examples, this paper aims to set the first step in that process by highlighting successful models and innovative approaches that can inform efforts to ramp up clean energy technology cooperation. This paper reviews current mechanisms and international frameworks for global cooperation on clean energy technologies, both within and outside of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and provides selected concrete options for scaling up global cooperation on clean energy technology RD&D, enabling environment, and financing.

Renewables in India

Cover of the Indian Renewable Energy Status Report: Background Report for DIREC 2010 report.

SEAC analysts Sarah Busche, Shannon Cowlin, and Anelia Milbrandt — along with D. S. Arora and Hanna Jaritz (IRADe), Tobias Engelmeier (Bridge to India Pvt. Ltd.), and Shannon Wang (REN21 Secretariat) — recently published "Indian Renewable Energy Status Report: Background Report for DIREC 2010." (PDF 8.3 MB)
India has great potential to accelerate use of endowed renewable resources in powering its growing economy with a secure and affordable energy supply. The Government of India recognizes that development of local, renewable resources will be critical to ensure that the country is able to meet both economic and environmental objectives and has supported the development of renewable energy through several policy actions. This paper describes the status of renewable energy in India as of DIREC 2010 (the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference). It begins by describing the institutional framework guiding energy development in India, the main policy drivers impacting energy, and the major policy actions India has taken that impact renewable energy deployment. The paper presents estimates of potential for wind, solar, small hydro, and bioenergy and the deployment of each of these technologies to date in India. The potential for India to meet both large-scale generation needs and provide access to remote, unelectrified populations are covered. Finally, the enabling environment required to facilitate rapid scale of renewables is discussed, including issues of technology transfer and the status of financing in India.

Microalgae Production in India

Cover of the Resource Evaluation and Site Selection for Microalgae Production in India report.

Also on the Indian front, NREL analysts Anelia Milbrandt and Eric Jarvis have published "Resource Evaluation and Site Selection for Microalgae Production in India." (PDF 16 MB)
The study evaluates climate conditions, availability of CO2 and other nutrients, water resources, and land characteristics to identify areas in India suitable for algae production. The purpose is to provide an understanding of the resource potential in India for algae biofuels production and to assist policymakers, investors, and industry developers in their future strategic decisions.

RE-Powering America's Land

NREL recently released the second in a series of reports, which highlight studies conducted with the Environmental Protection Agency for the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative. This project looks at opportunities for siting renewable energy on potentially contaminated land and mine sites — this report examines the possibilities for St. Marks, Florida. The analysis project is being led by SEAC analyst Gail Mosey.

PV in St. Marks, Florida

Cover of the Feasibility Study of Economics and Performance of Solar Photovoltaics at the Former St. Marks Refinery in St. Marks, Florida report.

NREL's Lars Lisell and Gail Mosey recently published the report "Feasibility Study of Economics and Performance of Solar Photovoltaics at the Former St. Marks Refinery in St. Marks, Florida." (PDF 985 KB)
This report presents the results of an assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of deploying a photovoltaics (PV) system on a brownfield site in St. Marks, Florida. The site was assessed for possible PV installations. The cost, performance, and site impacts of different PV options were estimated. The economics of the potential systems were analyzed using an electric rate of $0.08/kWh and incentives offered in the State of Florida and from the two accessible utilities, Progress Energy, and the City of Tallahassee. According to the site production calculations, the most cost-effective system in terms of return on investment is the fixed-tilt thin film technology. The report recommends financing options that could assist in the implementation of such a system.


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