Projects promoting the use of alternative energy Introduction The California Solar Initiative (CSI) The solar energy technologies program Solar America Initiative  DOE’s Biomass Program References

 

Projects promoting the use of alternative energy

 

Introduction

 

Alternative energy sources are abundant and above all renewable. Energy can be taken from the sun, the wind and even from the natural heat below the earth’s surface. In this context America is taking a serious look at its energy policies in order to integrate them with environmental concerns.

A rational energy project management requires a careful evaluation of alternative energy programs. Each area is planning its own programs as these depend on the characteristics of the territory and sometimes on the consciousness of the necessity to safe environment (Lansing Community College, 2006).

Here are some of the most important programs developed in the US which look forward to an increase in the use of alternative energy sources.

 

- The California Solar Initiative;

- The solar energy technologies program;

- The Solar American Initiative;

- The DOE's Biomass Program.

 

 

 

The California Solar Initiative (CSI)

 

South America seems to pay more attention to environmental questions, especially those concerning renewable energy resources, than North America.

 

Since solar energy provides 0.2 percent of all California electricity (in 2005 about 660 gigawatt hours), the challenge Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to win is included in the Million Solar Roofs Program, which aims to create 3000 megawatts of solar electricity by 2017.

This will allow the State to reduce the costs of solar systems for both private and public consumers, increasing the use of clean energy in California.

 

In these years, the California Public Utilities Commission is setting up an incentive-based-system ($350 million project to promote solar energy) for:

- existing and new houses;

- commercial, agricultural and industrial properties.

 

In 2007 the incentive-based-system has changed a lot because specific quality and quantity standards of the panels are required to enjoy financial supports. In fact, this system moved from capacity-based-payments to performance-based-payments, granting incentives in the following cases:

 

• Starting January 1, 2007, incentives for all solar energy systems greater than 100 kilowatts in size will be paid monthly based on the actual energy produced;
• Incentives for all systems less than 100 kilowatts will initially be paid up-front based on expected system performance;
• Starting in 2010, incentives for all systems greater than 30 kilowatts in size will be paid based on actual energy produced (California Public Utilities Commission, 2006).

 

In detail the program presents the following main features.

 

• Facilities, such as incentives and tax credits will be granted;
• Incentives will be reduced according to the number of solar energy systems installed;
• The program will be managed by certain administrators, such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison and San Diego Regional Energy Office;
• In order to monitor and to quantify the production of energy, meters might be installed in the solar energy systems;
• Furthermore, to ensure that California is using its energy in the most appropriate way, all measures included in this project are to be coordinated with the programs of the Public Utilities Commission and the Energy Commission.

 

 

 

The solar energy technologies program

 

The Department of Energy’s Solar Technology Program, managed by the Office of Energy Technology and Renewable Energy is fostering the development of solar technologies as alternative sources of greener energy. This initiative helps to educate the public about the importance of exploiting renewable sources of energy. Solar power has many advantages since it represents a clean and reliable source of energy which also enables to reduce the greenhouse effect. Moreover, the development of solar technologies stimulates the economy and creates new jobs in this sector.

Examples of technologies based on solar energy which have been developed by the Department of Energy and Industry are: photovoltaic cells, concentrating solar power technologies and low temperature solar collectors.

Photovoltaic cells transform sunlight into electricity. These cells are made of special semiconductors such as crystalline silicon or other thin-film materials. Photovoltaic energy can be used for several small consumer items, to large commercial solar electric systems.

(The nation's lead laboratory for renewable energy efficiency technologies is NREL)

 

 Photo Source 

 

Concentrating solar power technologies exploit reflective materials in order to concentrate the sun’s heat energy. This energy is used by a generator for the production of electricity. Concentrating solar power technologies include dish/engine systems, parabolic troughs and central power towers.

The following picture illustrates a solar thermal power plant located in the Mojave Desert in Kramer Junction, California.

 Photo Source 

 

 

 

Solar America Initiative 

 

SAI is an initiative which is aimed at accelerating the development of advanced solar electric technologies such as photovoltaic and concentrating solar power systems. By 2015 it will make solar technologies cost-competitive with other forms of renewable electricity. The proposed budget for SAI is $148 million.

This initiative will bring many benefits:

● the reduction of America's dependence from fossil fuels (PV will provide the US with 5-10 GW of new electric capacity, equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 1-2 million homes);

● the preservation of the environment by avoiding 10 million metric tons per year of CO2 emissions;

● the creation of new places of employment with 30,000 new workers employed in the PV industry.

 

 

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Program (SETP) will achieve the goals of the SAI thanks to partnerships with industry participants, universities, Federal and state government, and other non-governmental agencies.

The development of decentralized PV diversifies the nation’s electricity portfolio as well as enhances grid reliability. Moreover, the domestic production of PV enables the American market to be more competitive in the renewable energy worldwide scenario.

 

 

 

 

DOE’s Biomass Program

 

In the past two weeks the President of the USA George W. Bush discussed energy initiatives and took part in a demonstration of alternative fuel vehicles.

 

 

The increase in the use of these biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) is aimed at not only because it means the reduction of America’s dependence on foreign imported oil, but also because it would reduce toxic air emissions and greenhouse gas buildup and because it would help to support agriculture and rural economies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

• Lansing Community College (2006). Alternative Energy Initiative. Retrieved on 6, March 2007 from http://www.lcc.edu/energy/
• U.S. Department of ENERGY (2006). Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Retrieved on March, 27, 2007 from http://www.eere.energy.gov/
• Solar America Initiative. Retrieved on 27 March 2007 fromhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america/
• U.S. Department of Energy. Clean Energy Technology and a Vision for Victory. Retrieved on 27 March 2007 from http://www.eere.energy.gov/
• The White House. Fact Sheet: Twenty in Ten: Powering Large Vehicle Fleets with Alternative Fuels. Retrieved on 27 March 2007 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/energy/ 
• U.S. Department of Energy. Biomass Program. Retrieved on 27 March 2007 from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/

  The Energy Advocate (1999). The Btu. Retrieved on April 12, 2007 from  www.energyadvocate.com/fw34.htm