Save the Date: September 28, 29, 30, 2012 Fredericksburg, TX |
Save the date: December 10 - 12, 2012 Bastrop, TX |
|
DATES TO REMEMBER
| |
6th Annual Texas Power Markets Conference
Houston, TX
June 12 & 13, 2012
InterSolar North America 2012
San Francisco, CA
July 9 - 12, 2012 TREIA Board Meeting Austin, TX Thurs. July 26, 2012
Austin, TX August 28 - 30, 2012 |
|
NEW MEMBERS
| |
Enrique Espinoza
Tom Stringfellow Halcrow, Inc., a CH2M Hill Company Englewood, CO Lloyd Lee Hill Country Ecopower Austin, TX Logan Harkness Individual Member Austin, TX Julie Ohnstad OCI Solar Power Atlanta, GA Jason Shaw Renewable Energy Student Association (RESA) Austin, TX Andrew Knutson SolarCity Denver, CO George LePoris SolarCity Dallas, TX Deacon Taylor SolarCity Denver, CO |
|
TREIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| |
President: Steve Wiese, Clean Energy Associates
Vice President: Hala Ballouz, Electric Power Engineers, Inc.
Secretary: Mark Walker, NRG Energy
Treasurer: Richard Amato, Venti Energy
Members:
Kevin Gresham,
E.On Climate &
Renewables
Andrew McCalla,
Meridian Solar
Colin Meehan,
Environmental Defense Fund
John Pitts,
SunPower Corporation
Mike Sloan, Virtus Energy
Research Associates
Billy J. "B.J." Stanbery,
HelioVolt Corporation
Carol Tombari,
Carol Tombari Consulting
|
|
TREIA STAFF
| |
Executive Director:
Russel Smith
Director of Finance: Kathryn Houser
Manager of Operations: Scott Kornfeld
|
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome to the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association newsletter. This newsletter is sent to you as a member or Friend of TREIA. If you've got suggestions please let us know by hitting reply and giving us your feedback. Thanks for staying in touch!
|
|
|
Standing Room Only For TREIA Power Adequacy Forum At Capitol
In May Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, TREIA hosted the Electric Generation Adequacy & Reliability Forum (PPT Archive Link) at the Texas State Capitol where Texas PUC Commissioner Pablos and industry leaders spoke to a standing room only audience about issues facing energy industries in Texas.
TREIA President Steve Wiese set the stage for the forum by placing renewable energy resources within the context of Texas' competitive electricity market and the current resource adequacy concerns. He called on all stakeholders to approach the questions around resource adequacy as broadly as possible, noting that "the benefits of a diverse portfolio of resources - including traditional and renewable generation, distributed generation, conservation and demand response, improved efficiency and storage - accrue over the long term for all Texans."
Keynote speaker Public Utility Commissioner Pablos addressed the audience, agreeing that, "generation adequacy is the most important issue facing the Commission. The Commission is taking an 'all of the above approach' to address this critical issue and the integration of renewable generation needs to be part of the discussion."
Since the forum the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ERCOT reported that the state's generation of renewable energy increased by 13 percent between 2010 and 2011, from 28 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2010 to 31.7 million MWh in 2011, with the fastest rate of gain coming from solar energy.
More>
|
|
TREIA Members Shine At IEEE PV SC/Austin Solar Day
TREIA member companies were prominent at the Austin Solar Day exhibit held on June 3, 2012 at the Austin Convention Center in conjunction with the IEEE PV Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. The event drew several hundred folks including some registrants for the IEEE PV SC conference who arrived in Austin early.
TREIA members Austin Energy, HelioVolt, Imagine Solar, and Pflugerville Community Development Corporation constituted four of the five top level sponsors of Austin Solar Day. The second level of sponsors included TREIA itself and members SolarBridge and Solar Community. All were present as exhibitors, and members Hill Country EcoBuilders (Hill Country EcoPower), Lighthouse Solar and TXSES exhibited as well. The event included close to 30 exhibitors, eight of which were area high school groups entered in the IEEE High School PV Competition, plus thirteen Speaker's Corner presenters.
IEEE PVSC, Austin Solar Day featured a solar engineering competition among Central Texas high schools. The winning team from Taylor High School, the B.L.A.D.E., received the 1st place award for converting a 1999 GMC Safari van into an Alternative Energy Vehicle, AEV.
"Texas is home to one of the sunniest climates in the U.S. and is ripe with opportunities for home and business owners to alleviate electricity costs through renewable energy. Although interest in 'going solar' is growing in the Austin area, many residents are unsure of where to begin the process," said B.J. Stanbery, Conference General Chair for the 38th IEEE PVSC. "Austin Solar Day offers an unparalleled opportunity for our community to learn about solar energy from the people who know it best. We're excited to share our expertise with our neighbors and to showcase the solar innovations of Austin's young PV scientists."
 | |
The winning team from Taylor High School takes the stage.
|
|
|
TREIA Brings Back Texas Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair
A Texas Fall Favorite Returns with New Green Gusto
Now in its 12th year, The Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair returns to Fredericksburg's Market Square the last weekend in September. The Roundup kicks off Friday, September 28th with a student environmental program followed by the Grand Opening Party. Gates at The Roundup, largest green event in the south, officially re-open Saturday & Sunday, September 29th & 30th after taking a year off to reorganize and revitalize. People from across Texas; from Dallas to Houston; from Austin to San Antonio; and from Texas communities large and small will find old favorites, new events and return to the growing community of long time friends and businesses. Mona Aclin from Donie, Texas said, "The Roundup is unique and so much fun. We've been coming for four years." Texans seeking green lifestyles and concerned about drought and the environment have come to the Roundup yearly to hear national leaders and experts; to participate in workshops; and to enjoy races and creative events.
.
Date: Grand Opening Party, Friday, September 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Gates Open Saturday & Sunday, September 29 & 30, 2012
Time: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Market Square, 126 West Main, Fredericksburg, Texas
Cost: Grand Opening Party $50, advance tickets only
Early Registration: $12 per day or $20 two-day pass
On site Gate Registration: $15 per day or two-day pass $25
More>
|
|
PUC Adopts Rule Implementing SB 981 (DRG 3rd Party Ownership)
On Friday, May 18 the Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted modifications to existing rule implementing SB 981, often referred to as the 3rd Party Ownership bill, 1) clearly establishing the non-utility status of Distributed Renewable Generation (DRG); 2) defining a Distributed Renewable Generation Owner to include whomever owns the system or the energy produced from it on the customer side of the meter; and 3) affirming that the rule applies not only to the still regulated T&D utilities in the vast competitive areas of the state, but to the regulated utility territories outside of ERCOT as well. In other words, it does not apply to municipal utilities or electric cooperatives. Click here for the Order Adopting Amendment. More>
|
|
|
|
|
Texas Posted Significant Renewable Energy Production Increases In 2011
Texas posted a 13 percent increase in energy generated by renewable sources in 2011, according to the state's renewable energy credits registry administered by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), grid operator for most of the state.
The renewable energy recorded in the state's renewable energy credit program was 31.7 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2011, compared to 28 million MWh in 2010 - a 13 percent increase - as reported in the Texas renewable energy credit program annual report, filed today at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC).
Wind generation represented the largest share at nearly 30.8 million MWh. Due to the ongoing drought in most of the state, generation of hydroelectric power decreased by more than half, while solar power generation more than doubled. More>
|
|
Texas LoanSTAR Energy Loan Program Now Open To Houses Of Worship & Non-Profits
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) has completed its implementation of HB 2077 which passed in the 2011 legislative session. Under the new law, the state's LoanSTAR energy cost saving revolving loan program was opened to community based non-profit organizations and Houses of Worship. Previously it was restricted to loans to public institutions.
SECO has structured a pilot program, and issued its initial Request for Applications. The current deadline for non-profit organizations and Houses of Worship to submit an application is Monday, June 18. More>
|
|
New NERC Report Highlights Texas Electric Adequacy Challenges
Projected Role of Renewables in Mix Addressed
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued its Summer Reliability Assessment 2012 report which assesses the reliability and adequacy of the bulk power system of North America. A significant portion of the report deals with Texas related data, projections, and issues.
The report reinforces what ERCOT has already signaled - Texas could be facing rotating outages or worse this summer. "With the ERCOT ISO reserve margin below the NERC Reference Margin Level, ERCOT does not appear to have sufficient resources to maintain required resource adequacy levels. This may result in an increased probability of interruptions of firm load to maintain reliability."
It summarizes the expected contribution of renewable energy generation to the grid this summer in the following manner: More>
This report, along with the presentations from the TREIA Electric Generation Adequacy and Reliability Forum (linked from the TREIA web site Home Page) in early May, provide a wealth of data and insight for anyone needing a clearer understanding of the complex electricity system in Texas and how it might benefit from increased renewable energy generation.
Electric Generation Adequacy and Reliability Forum Public Archive >
|
|
David Martin Home Gains Top Green Rating - Spot In Austin Cool House Tour
Austin, TX (June 3, 2012)
 David Martin, architect, builder, developer, and solar installer located in Austin, is a member of TREIA as Green Solution Systems. David has announced that a home of his built through his D. Martin Homes business, and recently completed in the Las Casas Verdes Solar Subdivision in Austin, has received the highest 5 Star point rating of any home in Austin. The statement is attributed to Bryan Bomar with Austin Energy's Green Building Department, with the rating having been established under the Department's 2011 guidelines. Martin is the exclusive builder in the Las Casas Verdes subdivision, which he calls the "first true all-solar subdivision in Austin and the Southern U.S." More>
|
|
AREVA Books Arizona CSP Booster Project, Sees Similar Texas Opportunities
 Amidst new EPA regulations and existing federal emission standards, some utilities are choosing solar power augmentation projects that integrate concentrated solar power (CSP) "boosters" into the steam cycle of existing fossil fuel, geothermal and biomass-powered plants.
In Arizona, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) recently announced that it is partnering with AREVA Solar on a CSP booster project slated to go online in 2013 that will provide a 5 MW solar addition to its 156 MW Unit 4 at its Sundt Generating Station in Tucson, Arizona. According to AREVA Solar, this Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar booster project will allow Sundt's dual-fueled unit to reliably produce the same amount of electricity during peak daylight periods as it does now, while reducing the use of up to 3,600 tons of coal per year or up to 46 million cubic feet of natural gas.
"Solar power augmentation utilizing CSP technologies can offer Texas utilities cost-effective and quick-to-market opportunities to increase their fossil-fuel power plant output without added emissions," said John Robbins, Senior Director of Sales, Americas, at AREVA Solar. "And, because these projects can be deployed rapidly, they are the next important leap forward for the CSP industry in bridging the carbon gap."
More>
|
DISCLAIMER: Reference to a specific company, product, or service, in TREIA's Renewable Energy Record, does not constitute or imply recommendation or endorsement by TREIA. TREIA is not legally responsible or liable for claims by third parties expressed herein or in links from this publication. We hope the information in this newsletter was of value and easy to read. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for timely topics!
Sincerely, |
Russel Smith, Editor
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association
Debrah Dubay, Layout & Design
Dubay Communications |
|
|
|
