Brownfields to Renewable Energy

Michigan State University FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dr. Soji Adelaja January 27, 2009 517.432.8800 Heidi Charron 517.432.8800 Ext. 109 REDEVELOPING MICHIGAN BROWNFIELDS TO GENERATE RENEWABLE ENERGY COULD LAND THOUSANDS OF JOBS, BILLIONS IN INVESTMENTS

East Lansing, MI--Connecting the redevelopment of brownfields in Michigan to renewable energy offers great potential for the state, according to a new case study released by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University. The study estimates the renewable energy potential of brownfield sites in Michigan, concluding that an estimated 4,320 megawatts (Mw) of plate capacity could be generated and another 1,535 Mw if photovoltaic solar arrays are placed on the brownfield lands. The combined estimate of 5,855 Mw of plate capacity is equivalent to what it would take to power 1.8 million homes, or almost 50 percent of Michigan homes. Estimated positive economic impacts include the creation of over 17,500 construction, maintenance and operation jobs and more than $15 billion in new investment dollars. Michigan, which ranks high in its potential to generate renewable energy, adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) last year. The RPS calls for 10 percent of Michigan's energy to come from a combination of efficiency gains in energy use (1 percent) and renewable energy sources (9 percent) by the year 2015. "The large number of brownfield sites, combined with the state's generous incentives for brownfields redevelopment, create a prime opportunity to expand Michigan's renewable energy capacity," said Dr. Soji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and director of the Institute. "Adapting such sites to renewable energy development does not require the costly environmental remediation necessary for other uses." The report, titled "Potential Application of Renewable Energy on Brownfield Sites: A Case Study of Michigan," is the outcome of a joint project between the Land Policy Institute and the National Center for Neighborhood and Brownfields Redevelopment at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The project was supported by funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation under the People and Land Program and by the Hannah Professor Research Endowment at MSU. It is intended to inform policy in the state about Michigan's wind and solar power potential from brownfields and offers recommendations on guidelines, training, education and technical assistance for economic development officials and brownfield authorities. Download the report from the Land Policy Institute website. Click on Downloadable Research for publications on Renewable Energy, Green Infrastructure, New Economy, Viable Agriculture and other studies, or learn more about the Institute at www.landpolicy.msu.edu. The MSU Land Policy Institute focuses on research and outreach related to land use and strategic growth in the New Economy. The Institute delivers innovative solutions, transitioning knowledge from land use experts to the community. The Institute was founded in 2006. ###

Green-e Marketplace program in 2008.

San Francisco-based Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) says there were a record number of voluntary purchases of Green-e Energy certified renewable energy by businesses in the Green-e Marketplace program in 2008. These purchases were led by Intel Corp., PepsiCo and Mohawk Paper. Intel made the largest purchase of renewable energy, with a 1.3 MWh purchase in January 2008.

The growth in the overall voluntary market for renewable energy has been driven by large commercial purchases of renewable energy certificates (RECs). Green power sales increased over 50% in 2007 over the previous year, with REC sales up 55%, according to the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The third-party nonprofit certification program Green-e Energy certified 69% of the overall voluntary renewable energy market in 2007, and companies that buy a qualifying amount of certified renewable energy are eligible to join Green-e Marketplace and display the logo. These organizations voluntarily support energy generated from renewable sources, which displace other non-renewable sources from the electric grid. Total purchases by Green-e Marketplace participants exceeded 2.8 million MWh in 2008.

SOURCE: Center for Resource Solutions

20,000 MW Baby!

The U.S. wind industry has raced past the 20,000 MW installed capacity milestone, achieving in two years what had previously taken more than two decades, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports.

Wind now provides 20,152 MW of electricity generating capacity in the U.S. But a delay in extending the production tax credit (PTC) could place 2009 projects on hold and discourage manufacturing investment, according to AWEA. The PTC is currently set to expire at the end of the year.

"Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20% of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy," says Randall Swisher, executive director of AWEA. "However, the looming expiration of the federal renewable energy PTC less than four months from now threatens this spectacular progress. The PTC has been a critical factor in wind's very rapid growth as a part of the nation's power portfolio."

While Germany has more generating capacity installed - about 23,000 MW- the U.S. is producing more electricity from wind because of its much stronger winds. AWEA expects over 7,500 MW of new wind capacity to be added this year, expanding the U.S.'s wind energy fleet by 45% and bringing total capacity to 24,300 MW.

SOURCE: American Wind Energy Association

Check the web site out

http://www.alternativeenergy.com/

Check the site out it is a Ning site interesting what the owner did with it.
The Redhead on Girls Gone Green is great.

Wind Power as econmoic tool

Check this out, if you want to see what a HUGE impact Wind Power can have for an area.
Much more then a renewable energy source.

http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/jedi/

Green Racine to Renewable Energy Summit!

I will be attending the 2008 Renewable Energy Summit. in Millwaukee next week! I am realy looking forward to the trip.
We are looking to make connections and find great resources to share.
This is just HUGE! Our sponsor wishes to be unnamed but I have thanked him off the record.
Sigh If I only had a host this would be a great opening show for Green Racine CATV show.

http://renewableenergysummit.org/EventOverview/tabid/54/Default.aspx