Energy Exchange

North Carolina is well positioned for EPA’s Clean Power Plan

By Greg Andeck / Published: October 8, 2014

A majority of Americans endorse setting limits on carbon emissions from the nation’s power plants, which account for the single largest source of carbon pollution in the U.S. The United States is on the verge of doing just that with EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan.

Nationally, the plan will reduce carbon emissions from power plants 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. However, these carbon-reduction mandates vary from state-to-state, which will cumulatively lead to a nation-wide reduction of 30 percent.

In North Carolina, where I live, the plan requires the state to reduce absolute carbon emissions about 21 percent by 2030 from a 2012 baseline, according to an analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Read More »

Also posted in Air Quality, Clean Energy, Climate, North Carolina, Renewable Energy / Read 1 Response

Live Stream EDF’s Panel Discussions at SXSW Eco Oct. 6-8

By EDF Blogs / Published: October 5, 2014

SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage, and co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit, and a culture of creativity to transform inspiration into action.

EDF will be there in full force, including participating in four panels (CST): Read More »

Also posted in Clean Energy, Texas / Comments are closed

Texas Comptroller’s New Report Should Not Play Favorites

By Marita Mirzatuny / Published: October 3, 2014

Recently, the Texas Comptroller, Susan Combs, decided to come out swinging against renewable energy, specifically wind, in a report entitled Texas Power Challenge: Getting the Most From Your Energy Dollars. It would be easier to take this report seriously if it applied the same pressure and scrutiny to the oil, gas, and coal industries, which have received subsidies and incentives hand over fist. But, no, the attacks seem to focus only on renewables.

What’s worse is the Comptroller’s report is not based in fact. One of the main points of contention is the CREZ transmission lines that were built to ease the bottle-necked energy congestion in West Texas. Yes, this congestion was partly due to more wind energy on the power grid needing to make its way to cities in the East, but natural gas very much benefited from the added transmission lines as well. Even Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman, a Republican ally of Combs’, took her to task for this in a statement to the Texas Energy Report: Read More »

Also posted in Clean Energy, Renewable Energy, Texas / Comments are closed

New Jersey Transit Becomes a Leader in Microgrids

By Mary Barber / Published: September 29, 2014

Source: WallyFromColumbia

Superstorm Sandy crippled much of New Jersey’s critical infrastructure when it swept through the state two years ago. Stuck without power at home, many of the state’s residents also couldn’t get to work because the operations center for New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) flooded, damaging backup power systems, emergency generation, and the computer system that controls train operations.

New Jersey is doing its best to make sure that won’t happen again. After a highly competitive grant process, NJ Transit last week received $1.3 billion in federal funds to improve the resilience of the state’s transportation system in the event of devastating future storms. The funds include $410 million to develop the NJ TransitGrid into a first-of-its-kind microgrid capable of keeping the power running when the electric grid goes down.

Microgrids are different from traditional electric grids in that they generate electricity on-site or nearby where it’s consumed. They can connect to the larger grid or island themselves and operate independently. Read More »

Also posted in Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Grid Modernization, New Jersey / Tagged Energy Storage | Read 3 Responses

EDF Debuts Clean Energy Video and Raises a Glass to Austin and Pecan Street Inc.

By Jim Marston / Published: September 26, 2014

Last night, EDF, CleanTX, Pecan Street Inc., and Google hosted one of the clean energy events of the season.

We brought everyone in the Austin clean energy community – from legislators to cleantech entrepreneurs to EDF members – together to celebrate the tremendous progress our great city has made as a clean energy leader over the years, serving as an incubator and hub for some of the most exciting and innovative companies in the clean tech sector. After all, it is the collective hard work and dedication of everyone that put Austin on the map as a global leader in the clean energy economy.

We also kicked off the evening with a screening of our new video that highlights what the smart grid is doing for American energy. Set in Austin’s Mueller neighborhood, one of the world’s largest green-built communities and Pecan Street Inc.’s testbed for energy innovation, this short film tells the dynamic story of a clean energy future from within the American home. It gives people who live in a connected community a chance to express what clean energy means to them personally, from independence and innovation to health and reliability. The heroes of the film are ordinary people from the community who are part of this quiet revolution.

Also posted in Clean Energy, Grid Modernization, Renewable Energy, Texas / Comments are closed

Policy Change is Key to Meeting UNC Clean Energy Goals

By Marilynn Marsh-Robinson / Published: September 23, 2014

Source: Caroline Culler

Take thousands of people, put them on a college campus – and watch the energy and water usage spike. That’s what happens in the fall at universities across the country when students flood back to classrooms and dorms.

The nation’s oldest public university system is keeping a keen eye on utility meters. The University of North Carolina (UNC) is on its way to reducing energy and water use by 30 percent by 2015.

Also noteworthy is UNC’s goal for 2050, when the university’s 17 campuses aim to be carbon neutral.

Slowing down UNC’s progress are North Carolina statutory restrictions that make it difficult for campuses to finance and use their own renewable energy. Read More »

Also posted in Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, North Carolina, Renewable Energy / Comments are closed