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| Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities:
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| TVA Awards 53-MW Solar Facility PPA to Nashville-based Silicon Ranch
On April 18, TVA awarded Nashville-based energy provider Silicon Ranch Corporation a long-term power purchase agreement for a 53-MW solar project at the Navel Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, TN. This solar array will be the largest in the state and will provide power to TVA customers at cost-competitive rates for the next twenty years. The project will occupy over 400 acres and will incorporate an array that allows an estimated 580,000 panels to follow the sun across its daily arc. The capacity generated on the Navy’s property will contribute to the Navy’s “One Gigawatt” initiative to enhance energy security and resiliency. Project construction will begin in 2017.
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| TDEC OEP Webinar on LED Street Lighting Conversions for Local Jurisdictions: Working with Local Utilities to Facilitate Best Case Scenarios
LEDs are emerging as the technology of choice for street lighting, due to their decreased kW use, improved quality of light, dimmability, and minimal maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the cost of LEDs has significantly declined in recent years, with some jurisdictions realizing payback periods of less than 5 years.
On April 11, TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs and Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. (CESI) hosted a free webinar for local jurisdictions, local cooperatives, and utility boards to discuss the challenges and solutions associated with financing an LED street lighting conversion. This webinar provided information on how to compare the cost and quality of LED technologies, calculate projected kWh and maintenance savings, and facilitate tariff modifications that produce economic benefits for both the local jurisdiction and the local utility provider. The webinar also introduced the U.S. Department of Energy’s Outdoor Lighting Accelerator, which offers free technical assistance to participating jurisdictions. Guest speakers included U.S. DOE Project Officer Crystal McDonald, Director of Sustainability for the City of Knoxville, Erin Gill, and Steve Morgan and Kyra Hoskins of Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. To view the webinar and accompanying slides in video format, click here.
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| PHG Energy, Clean Energy Technologies to Collaborate on Tennessee Waste-to-Energy Plant
On April 5, Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETI) announced that it would collaborate with PHG Energy and the City of Lebanon in the completion of a waste-to-energy system set for completion later this year. By converting 8,000 tons of waste material diverted from landfills each year, the equipment to be provided by CETI will generate over a million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity over the 20-year life of the project. Other benefits include a carbon emission reduction of 2,500 tons annually. The City of Lebanon is utilizing $3.5 million in Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) to finance the project, as well as a $250,000 Clean Tennessee Energy Grant, awarded by TDEC. To learn more about the State of Tennessee’s QECB Program, which is managed by TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs, click here.
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| Composites One & IACMI Training Session on Advanced Composites Processes and Materials
On April 5-6, Composites One and the Knoxville-based Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) held a two-day training session at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility for over 150 students, academics, technicians and entrepreneurs from 23 states. The training focused on advanced composites processes and materials and featured live demos of light resin transfer molding, prepreg and high temperature compression molding, and presentations on vacuum fusions and carbon fiber design. The training served to further IACMI’s mission to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing by helping to prepare the next generation of composites professionals and ensuring that the existing workforce is up to speed on the latest technologies.
Three more training workshops will be held throughout the year. For more information, click here.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Tennessee Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
As of May 2, through the “Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee” rebate program, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition is making grant funding available to fleets in Tennessee to replace older, diesel vehicles with new alternative fuel replacement vehicles that can run on propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), electricity, or that are hybrids. A total of $200,400 is available, and a maximum of $16,700 is being offered per vehicle to cover all or part of the incremental cost of the vehicle over the cost of a new, same year diesel vehicle of the same type. No greater than 100% of the incremental cost can be provided, and any one entity may apply for funding to be applied to a maximum of 15 vehicles. For more information, and to view the RFP, click here.
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| U.S. DOE Announces $25 Million to Accelerate Integration of Solar Energy into Nation's Electrical Grid
On May 2, U.S. DOE announced a funding program to develop distribution planning and operation solutions to enable dynamic, automated and cost-effective management of distributed and variable generation sources. The funding opportunity will make $25 million available to software developers, solar companies, and utilities to accelerate the development of next-generation hardware and software solutions. The funding opportunity has two topic areas: - Area 1: Near-term projects that develop commercially-ready, scalable distribution system planning and grid operation solutions to enable the addition of solar at 50% of the peak distribution load by 2020.
- Area 2: Projects that take a long-term view of developing transformative and scalable technologies to enable solar at 100% of the peak distribution load by 2030. For this area of interest, large scale simulation is required to demonstrate performance.
U.S. DOE expects to make between 10-15 awards ranging between $500,000 and $4,000,000 for Area 1 projects and between $500,000 and $2,000,000 for Area 2 projects. An informational webinar will be held on May 19. To register for this webinar, click here. Concept papers are due on June 17 and full applications are due on August 26. For more information, and to view the funding opportunity, click here.
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| Ph.D. Recipients Sought for Solar Energy Research
U.S. DOE’s SunShot Initiative is accepting applications from recent Ph.D. graduates for postdoctoral research awards in solar energy. This program, which is part of the EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards Program, will offer up to five recent Ph.D. recipients $65,000, along with the chance to conduct applied research to advance solar energy technologies at universities, national laboratories and other research facilities. Researchers from a broad array of disciplines are encouraged to apply, including social science and computer science experts, in addition to electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, and material science researchers. Research topics include applying behavioral science insights to solar energy deployment, using big data to solve solar’s biggest challenges, and conducting innovative research in materials science, focused on photovoltaics (PV) or concentrating solar power. Applications are due by May 20, 2016. For more information, and to apply, click here.
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| TVA Electric Forklift Incentive
Electric forklifts have lower operating costs, less emissions, less maintenance, and quieter operation. As part of its EnergyRight Solutions for Business and Industry program, TVA is offering limited-time only cash incentives for the purchase or lease of all-electric forklifts. All TVA directly served customers, Local Power Company (LPC) customers, and LPC-served customers who have an existing qualifying forklift are eligible. This incentive will increase to $5,000 for the replacement of internal combustion Class 4 (cushion tire) and Class 5 (pneumatic tire) forklifts with electric-powered Class 1 (counter-balance) or Class 2 (narrow aisle) forklifts for applications received March 8, 2016, through August 31, 2016. This incentive is designed to increase participation and further reduce the gap between the cost of internal combustion and electric forklifts. During the same period, a $3,000 incentive will be extended for the purchase of new Class 1 and Class 2 electric forklifts. For more information about the electric forklift program, please click here.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| 2nd Annual TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards & Forum
The second annual TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards & Forum will take place on May 12-13 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The forum will cover a diverse array of transportation-related topics, including infrastructure, planning, fleets, and fuels. The keynote will be delivered by Proterra, the nation’s leading provider of battery all-electric transit buses. The morning address on May 13 will be delivered by Kevin Triplett, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. To register for the event, click here. An awards luncheon will be held on the second day of the forum, and will include remarks from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau and Tennessee Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Toks Omishakin. The awards recognize outstanding initiatives within the State of Tennessee to reduce transportation-related energy and emissions, in line with an overarching effort to save natural resources, improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans, and create efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services. 2016 forum panel topics will include: - Innovation in fleets and fuels
- Cleaner technology for off-road, nontraditional transportation
- One Big Idea – overviews of winning projects and ideas to move toward a more environmentally friendly future for all things transportation
- Sustainable Transportation Research and Development
- Local Government Planning (greenways, bike share programs, etc.)
The forum will also feature a roadshow of alternative fuel vehicles, as well as the launch of the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition Tennessee Green Fleets certification program. This program is a new opportunity for any Tennessee-based fleet to receive certification for its efforts toward reducing petroleum consumption, improving air quality, and increasing the use of alternative fuels or advanced vehicle technologies. For inquiries related to the Tennessee Green Fleet program, please contact Jonathan Overly at jonathan@etcleanfuels.org.
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| Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions & K-12 School Districts: Workshop on Technology, Procurement, and Financing
On May 19, TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs and Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. (CESI) will host a workshop in Franklin, TN on energy efficient technologies and facilities management strategies. The first portion of the workshop will be dedicated to exploring and financing energy conservation measures for local governments, school district facilities, and wastewater treatment plants, with guest speakers from the TDEC Office of Energy Programs and the Pathway Lending Energy Efficient Loan Program. The second portion of the workshop will focus on one of the most in-demand topics for local jurisdictions: LED streetlights. This portion will build off of an April 11th Webinar hosted by TDEC & CESI, "LED Street Lighting for Local Jurisdictions: Working with Local Utilities to Facilitate Best Case Scenarios." A recording of this Webinar is available at https://vimeo.com/163466302. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with expert consultants and receive one-on-one technical assistance at the end of the presentation session. Lunch will be provided. Who Should Attend? - City & Town Administrators
- School System Facility and Energy Managers & Financial Officers
- Public Works Directors & Street Lighting Managers for Local Jurisdictions & Utilities
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
- Lenders
- ESCOs
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| The Solar Power Southeast Conference, powered by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), will take place on May 25-26 in Atlanta, GA. The inaugural 2015 event featured nearly 200 solar companies and over 500 industry leaders. Attendees gathered to network, share ideas, and discuss best practices for expanding the Southeast’s solar energy market.
Solar Power Southeast is a great opportunity to connect with other solar professionals and learn about the policies impacting the southeast region of the United States. Education sessions will cover customer-sided and utility-scale solar with topics including:
- Interconnection, behind-the-meter hurdles, and improving utility partnerships
- Consumer protection and customer performance expectations
- Utility of the future and forecasting
- Avoided cost proceedings
- State policy updates
- Rate design and value of solar
- Renewable energy and reliability, smart grid, and energy storage
- Modeling with carbon constraints and IRP planning
- Low-income communities
- Investor's perspectives
TenneSEIA members get a special discount. Use the unique member promo code SPSE16TENN to get a 15% discount on full-conference registration. For more information, and to register, click here.
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| 100 Best Fleets in Memphis & Nashville
The 100 Best Fleets program recognizes and rewards peak performing fleet operations throughout North America. Currently in its sixteenth year, 100 Best Fleets identifies and encourages ever-increasing levels of performance improvement within the fleet industry. On May 24, 100 Best Fleets and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow TM will host a workshop at the FedEx Institute in Memphis, TN, to discuss best practices and lessons learned from the 100 Best Fleets, as well as topics such as integration of big data into fleet operations, recruitment and training of technicians, and emerging vehicle technologies. The event will also feature an alternative fuel vehicle showcase. For more information, and to register, click here. On May 25, the same event will travel to the Nissan North America EV Battery Plant in Smyrna, TN, and will include a tour of the state of the art facility that produces Lithium Ion Batteries for the Nissan Leaf. To find out more, and to register, click here.
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| From May 30-June 10, 2016, the American Public Gas Association and NGV America will present the CNG USA Rally. The Rally will start in Long Beach, California and will end in Washington, D.C., with 13 media stops incorporated along the way. Within the State of Tennessee, the Rally will stop in Memphis, Trenton, Dickson, and Sevierville. The intent of the rally will be to raise public awareness as to the benefits of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel, as well as to the abundance of natural gas refueling stations. For more information, contact Pat Riley at pat@gcud.net.
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