Mayor Announces Plans for Wind Turbines
1/14/2008 - Released by Mayor's Office For more information contact press office
Mayor announces plans for wind turbines at Boston Public Schools and City Hall
Wind power development will boost economic development and the City’s renewable energy contribution
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced today new steps that the City of Boston is taking to advance wind power development in the city and the region, further advancing Boston’s leadership in climate action and clean energy development. The Mayor announced that the City will install a small-scale wind turbine on the roof of Boston City Hall, examine the feasibility of larger turbines at up to six Boston Public Schools, and develop new wind energy zoning for private project proponents.
“Renewable energy projects in Boston are good for our environment and will create good ‘green collar jobs’ for local residents,” said Mayor Menino. “Boston’s focus on renewable energy, green buildings and energy efficiency has the potential to create 2,500 new jobs to serve this massive new market for people who provide clean technology services.”
Last April, the Mayor issued an executive order calling on City departments to devise plans for greater use of renewable energy sources. The Boston Public Schools is examining the feasibility of developing one or more wind turbines, with six schools in various neighborhoods under consideration as preliminary sites. The City and school district will embark on an extensive community process to select the best sites to advance these wind power projects.
Among the sites under consideration are the following:
•Charlestown High School, Medford Street
•Dever Elementary and McCormack Middle Schools, Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester
•Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School, Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury
•Ohrenberger Elementary School, West Boundary Road, West Roxbury
•Umana Middle School Academy, 312 Border St., East Boston
•West Roxbury Education Complex (formerly West Roxbury H.S.), VFW Parkway
The school district has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for firms to study, design, construct, install and maintain turbines in high-wind locations to generate energy and provide learning opportunities for students. Officials emphasized that residents and neighbors of sites under consideration would be informed and engaged through an extensive community process before any decision is made about locating the turbines.
Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools, commented on the educational value of the turbines. She hopes that teachers will take advantage of the turbines on site, incorporating them into the curriculum to bring science lessons to life. The projects would include installation of meters and educational kiosks in schools to track the energy harnessed by the turbines.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to see up close on a daily basis the power of new technology in creating a cleaner, greener environment,” she said. “These turbines will serve as outdoor classrooms for our students and help prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow in the fast-growing field of renewable energy.”
Dr. Johnson added that BPS has been a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy, citing the use of solar panels at three schools, co-generators for better energy use, and low-energy lightbulbs, among other measures.
The City’s decision to install a 1.8KW Skystream wind turbine at Boston City Hall as a small-scale wind power demonstration project, is a result of the Mayor’s interest in showcasing wind power technology at the seat of City government. Since October, the City has been collecting wind data on the roof of City Hall through the pro-bono services of Second Wind, a Boston-area wind consulting firm. Officials said that while the wind quality at City Hall would not support the installation of a commercial grade turbine, a roof-mounted turbine is feasible and more appropriate. Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, Arizona is donating a 1.8KW Skystream wind turbine for City Hall, which will be installed pro-bono by IBEW Local 103 this spring. This type of installation will be the first of its kind in the country.
Lastly, the City and the Boston Redevelopment Authority are working on a Wind Energy Zoning provision for the Boston Zoning Code. The provision will govern the siting of (1) “large wind facilities” – turbines (minimum 100kW, the size of IBEW Local 103’s turbine in Dorchester); (2) “small wind facilities”; and (3) “building-integrated facilities.” The Wind Energy Zoning proposal will be available to the public at the end of January, and public hearings will follow in February prior to submission to the Boston Zoning Commission.
“This commitment to wind power is yet another example of how Mayor Menino is having Boston lead by example when it comes to clean energy and sustainability,” said James W. Hunt, Boston’s Chief of Environment and Energy. “The wind power demonstration project on City Hall and the potential for turbines on school grounds will showcase the tremendous promise that renewable energy holds in Boston and beyond.”
About Second Wind:
Second Wind has an industry-wide reputation for innovative, reliable technology and excellent customer support. Its steady clients include the largest developers and operators in the industry, and it has maintained a double digit annual growth rate over the last five years. About half of all wind turbines installed in the United States in the last decade with non-manufacturer supplied SCADA systems use Second Wind software. That is approximately 15% of all turbines, and about 4 gigawatts of installed capacity. In total, Second Wind systems monitor more than 6,000 turbines and four gigawatts of wind generated electricity worldwide. Second Wind is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts.
About Southwest Wind:
Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading producer of small residential scale wind turbines. The 20 year old company has shipped well over 100,000 machines around the world. Recently, they received an equity investment to expand the business by Boston based Rockport Partners. The company’s newest machine, Skystream is considered to be the first residential wind energy “appliance” for homes and small businesses. The company has shipped approximately 1500 Skystream’s including one to former President Bush’s Kennebunkport, Maine home.
Southern California Edison RFPSouthern California Edison (SCE), has issued a request for proposals (RFP). Proposals for all renewable technologies in all locations are welcome.
SCE's solicitation seeks out short-term and long-term contracts for projects powered by solar, wind, biomass, biogas, oceanic and geothermal fuels. SCE is particularly looking for viable projects that will begin prior to January 2014. By seeking contracts in the Tehachapi and Sunrise transmission regions, SCE hopes to utilize most of the untapped renewable potential the areas have to offer. SCE expects to submit completed contracts to the California Public Utilities Commission for approval by April 30, 2010. Deadline: Aug. 14. For more information, visit sce.com. SOURCE: Southern California Edison |
Ohio Renewable RFP Starting Announcement
FirstEnergy Corp. announced that a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be conducted to secure renewable energy credits for customers of its Ohio utilities – Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and The Toledo Edison Company for 2009 and/or 2010 and/or 2011. FirstEnergy Ohio utilities Renewable Press Release 07/15/09 (07/22/09) |
Public Service Co. of New Mexico
Public Service Co. of New Mexico has issued a request for proposals for renewable energy projects to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and meet the state's renewable portfolio standard.
Under the new portfolio standard, PNM is required by state mandate to generate 6 percent of its retail energy from renewable sources. That total increases to 10 percent in 2011, 15 percent in 2015, and 20 percent in 2020.
The RFP seeks multiple proposals for wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel to help PNM diversify its portfolio, said Evelin Wheeler, PNM's director of strategy, planning and analytics, in a news release.
"We are not just trying to meet the renewable portfolio standard, we are also trying to find cost-effective energy sources that are also good for the environment," Wheeler said.
Diversification of energy sources is important, she added.
"Renewable energy sources operate in varying conditions, such as wind or sunlight," Wheeler said. "We need to ensure we are able to meet the needs of our customers, regardless of the conditions."
PNM also is seeking biofuels that can offset dependence on natural gas in existing generation facilities.
The company hopes to receive a large number of proposals. Interest in an RFP jointly issued by PNM and other companies in June for construction of a parabolic solar trough generation facility has been high, Wheeler said.
PNM is seeking renewable resources that can become available in 2009 and no later than 2011. Depending on its complexity, it could take between six months and two years to develop a renewable energy facility.
Deadline for submissions is Oct. 15, 2008. For more information, visit PNM's Web site at www.pnm.com/rfp.
Under the new portfolio standard, PNM is required by state mandate to generate 6 percent of its retail energy from renewable sources. That total increases to 10 percent in 2011, 15 percent in 2015, and 20 percent in 2020.
The RFP seeks multiple proposals for wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel to help PNM diversify its portfolio, said Evelin Wheeler, PNM's director of strategy, planning and analytics, in a news release.
"We are not just trying to meet the renewable portfolio standard, we are also trying to find cost-effective energy sources that are also good for the environment," Wheeler said.
Diversification of energy sources is important, she added.
"Renewable energy sources operate in varying conditions, such as wind or sunlight," Wheeler said. "We need to ensure we are able to meet the needs of our customers, regardless of the conditions."
PNM also is seeking biofuels that can offset dependence on natural gas in existing generation facilities.
The company hopes to receive a large number of proposals. Interest in an RFP jointly issued by PNM and other companies in June for construction of a parabolic solar trough generation facility has been high, Wheeler said.
PNM is seeking renewable resources that can become available in 2009 and no later than 2011. Depending on its complexity, it could take between six months and two years to develop a renewable energy facility.
Deadline for submissions is Oct. 15, 2008. For more information, visit PNM's Web site at www.pnm.com/rfp.
AEP Issues for 1,100 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Resources
Jun 1, 2009
AEP Issues for 1,100 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Resources American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking long-term purchases of up to 1,100 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy resources.
Proposals must include commercially proven renewable energy technologies such as wind, certified low-impact hydro, commercial-scale solar, geothermal, biologically derived methane gas and certain biomass and biofuels energy projects. The generation must be interconnected to PJM Interconnection (PJM) or Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and be operational no later than Dec. 31, 2011.
Pre-bid webinars for potential bidders will be conducted June 16 for bidders in PJM and June 18 for bidders in SPP. RFP information can be found at http://www.AEP.com/go/rfp.
The renewable RFP is part of AEP’s goal to add 2,000 MW of new wind or other renewable energy by the end of 2011 as part of the company’s strategy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
“Continuing to diversify our fuel mix with additional renewable generation resources allows us to support expanded development of renewable energy resources, meet our customers’ energy needs and reduce our environmental impact,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. AEP is advancing a less carbon-intensive energy future by increasing deployment of renewable resources where they are most viable, driving the development of extra-high voltage transmission to most efficiently deliver energy, and developing advanced clean-coal technologies, including carbon capture and storage.
“Expansion of renewable power will require significant investment in transmission infrastructure to transport renewable energy from where it can be viably produced to population centers. On a national level, we must move forward with legislation that will support construction of a national extra-high voltage transmission system. Without significant extra-high voltage transmission investment, our national renewable aspirations cannot be achieved,” Morris said.
AEP’s wind energy portfolio currently is 1,783 MW, including 310 MW of wind generation owned and operated by AEP in Texas and 1,473 MW of wind energy acquired through long-term power purchase agreements.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa McHenry
Sr. Manager, Corporate Media Relations and Policy Communications
614/716-1120
AEP Issues for 1,100 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Resources American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking long-term purchases of up to 1,100 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy resources.
Proposals must include commercially proven renewable energy technologies such as wind, certified low-impact hydro, commercial-scale solar, geothermal, biologically derived methane gas and certain biomass and biofuels energy projects. The generation must be interconnected to PJM Interconnection (PJM) or Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and be operational no later than Dec. 31, 2011.
Pre-bid webinars for potential bidders will be conducted June 16 for bidders in PJM and June 18 for bidders in SPP. RFP information can be found at http://www.AEP.com/go/rfp.
The renewable RFP is part of AEP’s goal to add 2,000 MW of new wind or other renewable energy by the end of 2011 as part of the company’s strategy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
“Continuing to diversify our fuel mix with additional renewable generation resources allows us to support expanded development of renewable energy resources, meet our customers’ energy needs and reduce our environmental impact,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. AEP is advancing a less carbon-intensive energy future by increasing deployment of renewable resources where they are most viable, driving the development of extra-high voltage transmission to most efficiently deliver energy, and developing advanced clean-coal technologies, including carbon capture and storage.
“Expansion of renewable power will require significant investment in transmission infrastructure to transport renewable energy from where it can be viably produced to population centers. On a national level, we must move forward with legislation that will support construction of a national extra-high voltage transmission system. Without significant extra-high voltage transmission investment, our national renewable aspirations cannot be achieved,” Morris said.
AEP’s wind energy portfolio currently is 1,783 MW, including 310 MW of wind generation owned and operated by AEP in Texas and 1,473 MW of wind energy acquired through long-term power purchase agreements.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa McHenry
Sr. Manager, Corporate Media Relations and Policy Communications
614/716-1120