Fate of Dunkirk Power Plant in Great Limbo

National Grid dealt a considerable blow to the prospect of converting the coal-fired power plant in Dunkirk, NY to natural gas last Friday.  They released a report on the options for the facility in a less-than-hopeful light.

“Repowering at the Dunkirk facility is not in the best interest of customers,” the report explained.

Four main options have been considered.  The first and gravest scenario for the plant would be a complete shutdown as soon as mid-2015. Based on the actions of the last year or so, this is becoming a tangible, yet worrisome option.  Of the three generating units within the Dunkirk facility, one of them was shut down a little over a year ago, while a second unit is set to be closed at the end of this month after NRG (the plant’s owner) and National Grid (the plant’s supervisor) reached an agreement in March.  Competition around the facility is growing, and in the case of natural gas-powered power plants, generation is more energy efficient as well.  One 80-megawatt unit will continue to operate at Dunkirk for the next two years.

A second scenario, favored by NRG, involves a state-of-the-art facility overhaul; building a new 422-megawatt natural gas-powered turbine and retrofitting one of their current 75-megawatt units to gas power as well.  This would virtually guarantee the sustainability of the Dunkirk location, while utilizing a cleaner-burning, more affordable resource of power generation.  However, the National Grid report estimates this option would cost customers around $375 million, which is a 3.6% residential bill increase, or a 9.5% increase for industrial facilities over the first ten years of operation.

Option number three is a bit of a lower-cost, less-efficient hybrid of the second option.  Rather than building one new facility and altering another, converting all three of the existing units to natural gas would cost customers $218 million.  The end result would be a 1.7% price increase on residential bills, or a 4.4% industrial facility bill increase for the next ten years based on National Grid figures.

The final scenario, which was recommended by National Grid in the report, increases residential bills .5% and industrial bills 1.3%, but wouldn’t involve any conversions to natural gas.  Rather, National Grid’s preferred option invests $70.5 million on five transmission system upgrades in the region.   System upgrades would reinforce grid infrastructure and make the plant more susceptible to being phased out in time.

National Grid report’s figures were in stark contrast to a report issued in March from NRG, which touted the opportunity of a natural gas conversion as a means to decrease wholesale electricity prices for Western New York by up to 5 percent.  NRG Director David Geier expressed the importance of maintaining perspective with the report’s findings in an extended statement from wivb.com -

First, it’s important to remember that the ultimate decision regarding the Dunkirk proposal and project will be made by the NY PSC, not National Grid.  In fact, National Grid and NRG are competing for the best solution for the reliability issue that National Grid defined.  Second, National Grid identified a reliability issue that spanned from 2015 through 2025.  NRG’s projects were the only responses that actually satisfied National Grid’s stated needs during the entire period of reliability need – even National Grid’s transmission proposal only addresses reliability concerns through 2021.  Third, we believe National Grid is dramatically understating its costs.  In National Grid’s filing from Friday, it applies a 200% variance factor to its project, although when comparing its costs to NRG, it neglects to add those potential overruns to the comparison.  NRG applies no such variation to its bid.  Fourth, National Grid assumes, with no factual basis, that the power produced at Dunkirk would be exported.  The power produced at Dunkirk is provided to the NY system.  We believe that the Dunkirk facility will be the lowest-cost natural gas fueled energy producer in NY State, and that benefit will go to NY consumers.

As Geier alluded, the final decision will not be made by National Grid or NRG, but by the New York State Public Services Commission.  After analyzing both reports, they will reach a final decision.  No word about when exactly that will take place.

For information on how to reduce your energy costs and get the lowest rates, click this or read this page.

Kristopher Settle
http://www.ecsgrid.com

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

ECS, Others Contribute Helpful Donations to Superstorm Sandy Relief Efforts

May 29^th is the seven month mark of Superstorm Sandy ravaging the Atlantic seashore, and despite the notable progress in most regions, restoration efforts continue to move slowly in the areas most devastated – and repairs certainly haven’t come cheap, either.

At this point, most local residents of the severely-affected areas, including Staten Island, the Rockaway Peninsula in Brooklyn, Breezy Point, much of the northern New Jersey coast, and southern Long Island are aware of the insurance money they’ll have to rebound from the disaster.  But they’re far from out of the woods, especially when it comes to the next phase of the storm’s devastation.  Rising flood insurance premiums and elevated costs for rebuilding labor and materials can accumulate into tens of thousands of dollars of debt in no time for homeowners.

“This issue [of recovery costs] is more devastating to more people than Sandy itself, believe it or not,” stated Ron Jampel, founder of Save Our Communities 2013, an advocacy group for struggling homeowners in New Jersey.

On a positive note, public and private donations are still being accomplished by many efforts, big and small.  Over $11 million dollars has been raised by Mary Pat Christie, wife of NJ Governor Chris Christie, and the New Jersey Relief Fund since the storm struck.  NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo will invest $48.5 million into covering 25 percent of the non-federal share of property buyout costs from those affected by Sandy, and this will also cover those affected by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee from years past.

Meanwhile, local efforts have also played a vital role in the recovery.  Last weekend, over 1,600 participants rode the Roar to Restore the Shore motorcycle run; a 66-mile trek that was able to raise over $26,000 in entry fees alone.  A series of eight local breweries on Long Island also generated $58,000 for Sandy relief efforts since January by selling its Surge Protector IPA, or Sandy Relief Ale as it’s also called.

Even our energy companies have donated to make a difference.  Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy combined to provide funding for relief efforts, distributing $12,600 across four worthy organizations; Direct Relief International’s Hurricane Sandy Relief & Recovery, the Humane Society’s Disaster Relief Fund, the New York City Rescue Mission, and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.  Allison Buethe, charity liaison for the two companies, added this in response to the announcement, “The people of New York and New Jersey are still working to rebuild what they have lost and we need to help ensure that they have the resources needed to do so.  These donations are just our small way of helping out.”

Every little bit helps the families and others who have been affected by the Superstorm.  If able, please take the time to donate to what is undeniably a good cause for people who are still reeling today.

Kristopher Settle
ECS Grid

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

US Oil Boom Shifts Focus to North Dakota Bakken Shale

North Dakota may soon be giving Texas a run for its money in the oil industry.  Information released last month by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Interior, indicates that oil and gas resources in the Bakken and Three Forks formations contain about 7.4 billion barrels (BBO) of undiscovered and technically recoverable oil.  The shale formations located in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota have been reassessed, estimating undiscovered resources that drastically increase the amounts previously reported in 2008.  The region where the Bakken and Three Forks are located, known as the Williston Basin is already a large oil producer.  But, the newly discovered resources are almost entirely located within the Three Forks formation, which is situated primarily in North Dakota; a state with only one existing, and two planned refineries.

A USGS assessment in 2008 that only explored the Bakken Formation estimated the recoverable oil in the Williston Basin to be about 3.68BBO.  This most recent report more than doubles that figure.  The USGS explains that more than 4,000 wells have been drilled in the area since 2008.  The drilling provided considerable additional data on the geologic conditions and resources in the Basin.   This included the Three Forks formation, which had previously been thought to be relatively unproductive.

Natural gas is also abundant in these formations.  The new assessment estimates an average 6.7 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable natural gas, along with another .53 billion barrels of previously undiscovered natural gas liquids.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell explained:

These world-class formations contain even more energy resource potential than previously understood, which is important information as we continue to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign sources of oil.  We must develop our domestic energy resources armed with the best available science, and this unbiased, objective information will help private, nonprofit and government decision makers at all levels make informed decisions about the responsible development of these resources.

The response by oil and gas companies to this news has been swift and positive.  Companies large and small are eager to take advantage of the Bakken and Three Forks formations.  Some lawmakers are encouraged by the promise of new drilling operations.  Senator John Hoeven R-N.D. mentioned that “This will mean a lot of jobs” for his state.

Beyond local impacts, additional recoverable resources in the United States will have major implications for energy independence and economic security.  While the transition to cleaner energy sources remains an important goal, we can’t ignore our current reliance on fossil fuel.

Responsible production of the newly discovered oil and gas in the Bakken and Three Forks formations can promote energy independence.  The United States has already seen a reduction of 10%in net oil imports in the last year, and that number should continue to increase as we develop domestic resources.  The benefits to Americans of a greater supply of cheaper domestic oil will range from cheaper fuel, lower electricity costs, and even lower cost of manufactured goods.

Click this link to learn about lower energy costs.

Jessica Kennedy
ECS’s Website

Jessica can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Arkansas Study Shows No Water Contamination

Scientists at Duke University released a new study last week that could not identify any threat of groundwater water contamination from the affects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.  Simply stated by Nathaniel Warner, lead author of the study, “These findings demonstrate that shale gas development, at least in this area, has been done without negatively impacting drinking water resources.”

The study took place across north-central Arkansas in the Fayetteville shale region, where 4,000 new wells have been drilled since 2004.  Scientists from Duke and members of the US Geological Survey analyzed 127 local drinking water wells for any traces of leaked methane gas or various toxic chemicals that are associated with the fracking process.  Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, explains their findings;

Only a fraction of the groundwater samples we collected contained dissolved methane, mostly in low concentrations, and the isotopic fingerprint of the carbon in the methane in our samples was different from the carbon in deep shale gas in all but two cases…[the methane] was produced primarily by biological activity in the region’s shallow aquifers and not from shale gas contamination.

Duke researchers used isotopic tracers to identify the sources of all components of the well water for each test area.  In addition, comparisons were made between the water and chemical compositions of wells near, and far from fracking sites in the region to reinforce their findings.

Despite the results in Arkansas, conclusions have varied among many notable studies regarding the ramifications of hydraulic fracturing.  The EPA found “no unequivocal evidence” of health risks from a fracking study in 2004, yet is currently in the process of a more extensive analysis to be released in 2014.  In Dimock Township, Pennsylvania, however, a study was conducted in 2009 after a water well exploded, showing unacceptable levels of many substances like arsenic, barium and methane.

Even Duke researchers have found mixed results from their fracking studies.  Contrary to the most recent study’s results, Duke performed similar testing in 68 northeastern Pennsylvanian wells two years ago.  Much like the Arkansas study, no sizable amounts of contaminants from fracking fluids were found in well water.  However, elevated levels of methane gas near Marcellus shale fracking sites were abundant.  But how elevated is elevated?

Stephen Osborn, research associate at Duke’s Nicholas School, said in 2011 “[w]e found measurable amounts of methane in 85 percent of the samples, but levels were 17 times higher on average in wells located within a kilometer of active hydrofracking sites.”

If both tests are any indication about the debatable nature of fracking and its effects, they illustrate how important stringent restrictions are for every region where drilling occurs.  As of now, important standards regarding drilling chemicals, well depth, and the like can vary greatly state-to-state.  Andrew Place, interim director of the Center for Sustainable Shale Development in Pittsburgh, agrees, “It does clearly speak to the need to think about [fracking] from a regional and local perspective.”

Although President Obama has repeatedly stated fracking is a safe means of natural gas generation when executed properly, the debate about what defines ‘safe fracking’ appears muddled on a national level.  With growing desires to utilize natural gas and the resulting necessity to frack more, a comprehensive, all-encompassing set of standards would be the next logical step to maintain organization (and positive public relations) within the industry.  Until then, important questions will continue to loom and remain unanswered.

Kristopher Settle
BidURenergy

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

GridSTAR Center in Philly Will Spur Smart Grid Research, Innovation

Announced last week, the GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Project (or GridSTAR Center, for short) will serve as a “valuable hub for workforce training, building performance testing, energy management research and ‘smart’ microgrid modernization deployments,” as defined by the press release through Penn State University (PSU), which will be spearheading the project.  It will be built at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, which is an extension of PSU where energy efficiency is already a critical component of their Clean Energy Campus efforts.

The GridSTAR initiative believes the Navy Yard will serve as an ideal research location “because it has an unregulated microgrid.  Part of this microgrid in the Clean Energy Campus area will be a highly-monitored subgrid being designed for the plug-and-play testing of smart grid components and system configurations,” working along with the PJM Interconnection to innovate efficiency technology and perform small-scale testing.

The first phase of assembling the GridSTAR Center is already underway, with plans to have a research facility, classroom laboratory and a showcase for energy efficiency to be completed in time for the start of fall semester.  Later phases of the construction will include a facility focused on solar energy training and a new charging station for electric vehicles.

David Riley, project leader and Penn State associate professor of architectural engineering, addressed what he believes will result from the project, “In leveraging the talented pool of Pennsylvania-based public and private sector leaders, the GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Structure offers tremendous potential to further drive the adoption of energy efficiency, solar energy and energy storage systems in our residential communities.”

As Riley noted, PSU is utilizing many outside contributors for the project.  Support from the US Department of Energy, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation addresses much of the project’s funding.  Wall systems for the structure were assembled by Simplex Industries at their local Scranton, PA facility.  Solar panels, spray foam insulation, insulated vinyl siding and other materials will be supplied by CertainTeed Corporation, and Solar Grid Storage will give advanced solar inverter/battery storage solutions for the effort.

The installed solar panels will make the GridSTAR Center a net zero energy building, with additional photovoltaic panels and a photothermal absorption system in place to provide hot water heating as well.  Numerous extensive energy conservation efforts will be added to implement and analyze energy usage – for the full list of those, or any additional information about the Center or their initiative, visit their home page here.

Additional ways of becoming more energy efficient include choosing an energy supplier or participating in a demand response program. More information is available by clicking this link or viewing this page.

Kristopher Settle
ecsgrid.com

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Ethanol Mandate On Alert

Texas Rep. Pete Olson, along with more than a dozen cosponsors reintroduced legislation this week that would permit natural gas-based ethanol to compete with corn- and switchgrass-based ethanol for a federal biofuel mandate.

As of now, the eight-year old law within the Clean Air Act has required refineries to blend ‘conventional ethanol’ into petroleum-based fuel.  The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) defines ‘conventional biofuel’ as ethanol derived from corn starch, so the new proposal would necessitate altering the current legislation to include its first non-renewable source of ethanol.

Mandate a Foreign Oil Reliance or a Green Initiative?

When asked about the purpose of the new bill, Olson cited the success of the current bill for its ability to ease our reliance on foreign oil and sees the alterations as a means to build upon where we already stand.  He also acknowledged the hardships that are emerging as a result of having to grow the materials to create corn- and switchgrass-based ethanol.  “The RFS’ singular focus on corn ethanol has translated into higher feed costs for livestock producers and higher food costs for working families…expanding the sources for ethanol will only benefit all Americans,” said Olson.

While critics would argue the federal mandate was originally designed to spur the growth of renewable resources rather than relieve foreign oil reliance, Olson does make some valid points.  For one, the chemical composition of natural gas-based ethanol is identical to the others and therefore has the same low emissions when burned in automobiles.  Also, since the introduction of the initial legislation in 2005, the price of corn has tripled in the US and corn-based ethanol requires at least 5 billion bushels of corn to create.  Those bushels contribute to covering 33 million acres of farmland, which represents a third of the entire US annual corn crop.

Technology, Resources Available and Affordable

At least three companies nationwide have developed the ability to generate ethanol from natural gas; Costaka Inc in Illinois, Primus Green in New Jersey, and Celanese Corp in Dallas, Texas.  In a story from Forbes last year, Celanese president Steven Sterin plainly expressed his confidence in his company’s product, “We have the best gas-to-liquids and coal-to-liquids technology in the world.”  He believes that their method would be able to maintain large-scale costs around $1.50/gallon, a considerably lower figure than the $2.50/gallon where corn-based ethanol is currently priced.

It’s important to note the $1.50/gallon figure depends heavily on the price of natural gas remaining as low as it has since the price dropped beginning of the fracking boom of recent years.  But for the time being, that appears to be definite.  Moody’s released a report this week reaffirming natural gas’ relevance in the industry.  The report noted, “North America’s shale drilling revolution is now permanent and will keep natural gas selling as historically low prices for at least the next decade.”

Another developing factor is the possibility of exporting natural gas to countries that charge notably higher prices for natural gas.  David Leiter, president of a Washington DC lobbying firm, spoke in a Bloomberg article this week about expecting movement from President Obama in “weeks, and not months” on permitting natural gas exports and giving the green light to new natural gas refineries.  The concern of critics is that increased exports would spur natural gas prices to rise considerably, contrary to the Moody’s report.

We’ll see how the natural gas quandary plays out in the next few months, but for the time being this is Olson’s second attempt to pass this bill in as many years – last year’s attempt was quickly defeated in Congress.  But who knows for certain?  With the economic factors surrounding natural gas currently in their favor, Congress may be willing to give the bill a much longer second look.

To learn more about energy reduction information such as natural gas supply or demand response programs, click here or this link.

Kristopher Settle
ECS Grid

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Reduce Your Car’s Costs This Summer

Gearing up for a summer road trip?  Heading to that really important wedding down the road?

As we approach the busiest time of year for motorists, it’s vital to take the time and go through the checklist of ways to prevent your vehicle from too many trips to the gas pump.  The Alliance to Save Energy reports that each US household will spend an average of $3,300 on transportation energy costs in 2013, and your costs could far exceed the average if you don’t take the time and effort to conserve when able.

Here’s a brief list of helpful tips to save energy costs for summer driving.

(Note: Statistics are care of EarthTechling)
 
 
While on the Road…
 
1)      Slow Down – Arguably, the smartest maneuver to reduce energy costs in your vehicle is always being mindful of your speed.  The Department of Energy (DOE) reports that for every 5 mph you travel over 60 miles per hour, an average of 31 cents per gallon is added to cover the price of fuel.  Give yourself some extra time to arrive at your destination comfortably and conservatively.

2)      Avoid Rapid Acceleration/Deceleration – Constant gassing and braking can decrease gas efficiency about $100-$1,000 each year, depending on whether you’re driving in town or on the highway.  Not only will this conserve energy usage, it’ll also mitigate the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle, which should extend the time between service appointments.

Using a combination of cruise control on highways and the overdrive gear when able will also greatly aid in maintaining speed while reducing engine wear.

 3)      Consolidate Trips – Merging three small trips into one single trip with three stops prevents needing to re-warm a cold engine over and over again.  A little extra planning saves a considerable amount of time and total miles driven.

4)      Break the Normal Driving Schedule/Find Alternate Routes – If you’re able to either make trips during off-peak hours or find routes with less traffic, emptier roads will reduce the stop-and-go hassles that cause anxiety and car expenditures.
 
 
While in the Driveway/Garage…
 
5)      An Idling Engine = Zero MPG – An engine can burn a quarter to a half gallon of gas every hour, depending on its size and whatever else (heater/air conditioner) is running at the time.

6)      Check Your Tires Regularly… – Properly monitoring the wear and pressure of your tires can result in improving mileage by approximately 3.3% a year, or .3% for every 1 psi drop for all four tires from what pressure is recommended.  Also, replace tires when the tread is considerably worn, and be sure to complete wheel alignments and tire rotations on a regular basis to ensure your tires will wear evenly.  The old adage is if your treads don’t cover up half a penny, it’s time to consider replacing them.

 Note: The Department of Energy suggests consulting the driver’s manual in your car for the appropriate amount of tire pressure to maintain, as opposed to the suggested pressure on the side of the tire itself

7)      …and Check Your Engine, Too – Simply put, regular maintenance will benefit the efficiency and longevity of an engine.  Small measures like a tune up can improve mileage by an average of 4%, and larger fixes like replacing a broken oxygen sensor can save over $1,300/year and improve performance by up to 40%!  Purchasing fuel additives, available at any car-related store or at most convenient stores, can also improve engine performance notably.

8)      Know Your Oil – A manufacturer’s recommended grade in your car’s manual is the best bet to ensure the correct grade of motor oil.  Many synthetic blends also work to prevent sludge build up, further prolonging the life of an engine.  The DOE suggests searching for the phrase “Energy Conserving” on the American Petroleum Institute performance symbol to guarantee the oil has friction-reducing additions.  Overall, the wrong blend of oil can waste upwards of 1-2% of energy efficiency, resulting in an average loss of $40 annually.

9)      Take Out the Golf Clubs and Potting Soil – 100 pounds of ‘junk in your trunk’ can affect energy performance as much as having the wrong oil – around 1-2%.  Also remove roof racks when it’s convenient for the same reason, the extra weight (and decreased vehicle aerodynamics) can result in your engine needing to work harder.

If you’re able to follow these simple steps, it will virtually guarantee better performance for your vehicle this upcoming summer season.  If you’re looking to be really ambitious with energy conservation, definitely consider purchasing an electric vehicle as well.

And above all else, drive safe!

For more ways to reduce your energy costs, click here or visit this link.
 
Kristopher Settle
ECS

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Tesla Already Boasts Numerous Triumphs in May

Electric vehicle (EV) company Tesla is having a really, really solid month so far, and we’re not even half way into it.  With the EV industry reeling from grim news regarding Coda’s bankruptcy announcement and Fisker Automotive’s apparent demise, Tesla Motors is basking in a trifecta of great news stories that emerged from their camp.

First Profit in Company’s Ten-Year History

Arguably, the most surprising news was announced this week as the emerging car company completed their first quarterly profit in its ten year history.  The car maker noted a first quarter net income of $11.2 million for 2013, compared to a loss of nearly $90 million from the same quarter last year.  News of the profit resulted in a huge boost on the stock market too, which closed at $73.10 on May 9^th, capping off a massive 31 percent gain for the day and a 65 percent gain for the year.

Their competition was well-aware of the news, as Bill Ford, executive director of Ford Motors was quick to praise their progress.  “It’s really hard to start up a company, particularly in the auto business, and be successful,” said the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford.  He continued, “We’ve seen many who have not, and so the fact that they are off to a really good start and doing well [this year], I think, is a real tribute to them.”

It’s notable to acknowledge the company would have still reported around a $50 million loss if not for their carbon credit efforts in California.  The State offers zero-emission vehicle credits to Tesla, which in turn sells them to other carmakers – the end result was an additional $68 million revenue stream in the quarter.

Tesla’s Model S ‘Excites’ Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports was more than happy to add to the fervor this week, announcing that Tesla’s crown jewel, the Model S plug-in car, was deemed “the best car it has ever tested” in its latest edition.  In the report, they said the car “is brimming with innovation, delivers world-class performance, and is interwoven throughout with impressive attention to detail.”  Following all of the tests, the Model S earned 99 out of 100 points – a rating that hasn’t been achieved by any car, gas-powered or otherwise, since the 2009 Lexus LS460.  No car has ever scored a perfect 100 in the magazine’s 77 year history.

“We don’t get all excited about many vehicles, and with this car we really did,” said Jake Fisher, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports.  He added, “If it could recharge in any gas station in three minutes, this car would score about 110.”

For a brief recap of additional Tesla’s Model S achievements, check out our story on EVs from back in February.

Talks with Google to Aid in ‘Autopilot’ Technology

“I like the word autopilot more than I like the word self-driving,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained when discussing the technology that they’ve discussed to coordinate with Google.  Musk is quick to dismiss the notion of a vehicle that would not need any human assistance, but rather a driver aid – in case of a medical emergency, for example.  Google, no stranger to the green energy industry, has been testing driverless car technology for some time.  As USA Today indicated earlier this week, the Tesla CEO not only wants to take advantage of Google’s current innovations, but he wants to make the system even better by using upgraded optical equipment to monitor traffic and potential hazards.  Musk believes the cameras and software would be cheaper this way.

In addition to the news announced this month, Tesla also announced earlier in the year that they intend to pay back the $465 million loan awarded from the US Department of Energy ahead of schedule.  All in all, 2013 appears to be emerging as a banner year for Tesla Motors.

For additional electric and energy related information, including ways on how your business can sign up for energy reducing services and programs, click here or visit this link.

Kristopher Settle
Energy Curtailment Specialists

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Free Energy Education Workshops

Do you have questions about BidURenergy or the comprehensive energy services it provides?

Wonder how energy procurement works?  Curious about how we can make a difference for your company, either as a customer or as an affiliated consultant?  Or maybe you’re one of our customers and you’d like a refresher on the ins-and-outs of the industry?

Well look no further!  We’re pleased to announce that BidURenergy is offering free monthly online energy educational workshops to aid in sharing our wealth of energy knowledge to you.  The workshop schedule is conveniently broken into two groups; one for ‘regular’ businesses, and another for our PowerConnect channel partner program.

On the first Wednesday and Thursday of each month at 1p Eastern Time, we will feature workshops featuring the latest energy market information and elements of our successful PowerPit procurement auction platform.  A thirty minute presentation from one of our energy experts will be followed up by a comprehensive question-and-answer session, giving you the opportunity to have your energy questions answered right on the spot!  Other notable topics addressed during the workshop will include, but not be limited to, the availability of renewable energy suppliers, the advantages of bill auditing and the benefits of participating in a demand response program.

The first Tuesday of every month (also at 1p) showcases our PowerConnect channel partner program.   The PowerConnect sessions are designed to focus on the ins-and-outs of acquiring and maintaining referrals into our programs.  By taking part in the workshop, we can ensure that you will be able to quickly garner confidence in our programs, establish trust with your referrals, network your way to a broadened client base, and create a sizable additional revenue stream for your company, all at once.  The top five members in our PowerConnect program generate an average of $32,000 every quarter in supplemental income – don’t miss out!

Don’t hesitate on the chance to participate in either workshop – space is limited for each so take advantage.  Sign up online today or call 877-669-8243 to reserve your spot.

Kristopher Settle
bidurenergy.com

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.

Garbage Industry Booms in Europe

Oslo, Norway is known for many different characteristics; being Norway’s government capital, for one, along with being the economic hub for trade and home to over 1.4 million citizens.  One thing most people don’t know about Oslo however, is how much they really want your garbage.

“I’d like to take some [garbage] from the United States…sea transport is cheap,” said Pal Mikkelsen, mechanical engineer and managing director of Oslo’s waste-to-energy agency.

Sound a little weird?

It’s really not as bizarre as it seems.  Norway, along with many other northern European countries, has built a network of cogeneration plants that produce heat and electricity from recycled waste.  Referred to as waste-to-energy facilities, the process is relatively simple.  Garbage is burned in a portion of the facility, creating steam, ash and flue gases.  The facility collects the steam and uses it to turn turbines, which generates the electricity used throughout much of the country.  The ash is trucked away to a landfill, while the remaining gases are either filtered and dispersed into the atmosphere, or collected and used for additional products like biofuel.

Below is a great visual example of how a garbage burning plant processes waste.  (via industrytap.com)

‘It’s a commodity’

And this is no rinky-dink side project that spits out a few megawatts and creates some strong PR.  No, the Oslo waste-to-energy projects mean business, literally.

”There’s a European waste market – it’s a commodity,” states Hege Rooth Olbergsveen, senior advisor for the program.  Mikkelsen concurs, “Northern Europe has a huge generating capacity.”

This process of generating power, along with the prevalence of factories within the region, is quite common.  Many other northern European countries have done the same for decades, which has actually spurred competition within Scandinavia.  Stockholm, Sweden, for one, has lured several municipalities to truck in an abundance of waste from many locations, including Norway, for their benefit.

Collectively, Oslo residents rely on over 400 incineration facilities in the region for many elements of their daily lives.  For one, half of their residential heat and energy needs come from a consistent supply of waste-to-energy plant output.  They heat most of their local schools using the same energy.  And even the city’s Metro bus system relies on recycled gas fumes from the facilities to create the biofuel they use, increasing energy efficiency between seventy-five to one hundred percent.  As odd as it may sound from an American perspective, the necessity of collecting waste to thrive in Norway is as vital as ever.

Even after importing garbage from countries like England, Ireland and Sweden, the agency operates at a fraction of its incinerating capacity, according to Mikkelsen.  Despite receiving over 150 million tons of waste to process every year, their factories are able to handle upwards of 700 million tons.

US Potential to Participate Overseas

The prospect of bringing in garbage from the United States is still an option, but stumbling blocks remain in the process.  In Norway, the garbage industry is highly organized and technologically savvy; free garbage bags are offered at local grocery stores and they’re color-coded depending on what’s being discarded.  Blue bags denote plastic materials, green bags are for food waste and other recyclable materials are disposed elsewhere.

Conversely, a sizable portion of American garbage is considerably less organized, which could pose an additional environmental hazard for the incineration process, as well as potential complications that could arise from either sorting through the garbage or choosing to burn it as is and wasting recyclable materials.  The concern is notable, but the opportunity certainly appears viable based on Mikkelsen’s interest mentioned earlier.

US Potential to Participate at Home

Similar concerns about environmental hazards have affected the livelihood of waste-to-energy facilities in the United States.  While there are 89 facilities that still function today across the country, almost none of them were built within the last 15 years.  The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges “economic factors” being the main culprit of limiting new construction, although a considerable level of concern among certain environmentalist groups has also played a role in the discussion.

At least one US company has achieved success with working to create an alternative template for operating a waste-to-energy facility with newer technologies.  The big difference however, is that they doesn’t use incineration to do so.  Maryland-based Fiberight converts up to 20 tons of garbage an hour by running trash through a processing center which keeps temperatures low, rather than the conventional high-pressure, high-temperature method.  The end result is a sterilized, odor-less pulp that is made into sugars and biofuels, along with clean, unharmed plastics and metals which can be sorted easily in the process.  Although there is more physical ‘waste’ at the end of the process compared to incineration, there’s also less risk (and less money spent on the filtering) of airborne toxins to consider.

Perhaps the answers for long-term waste-to-energy solutions can be found with methodology similar to Fiberight, but if one thing’s certain, burning garbage isn’t going anywhere any time soon in Oslo.  Although the industry will continue to evolve over time, their reliance on the resources being generated from it is too strong to change much for now.

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Kristopher Settle
ECS

Kris can be found on Twitter and Google+.