|
|
| Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities:
| |
| UT, TDEC & TVA Forum on Energy Efficiency, Conservation & Low-Income Households
Low-income families spend a greater proportion of their incomes on utility bills, fuel, and energy, and could benefit greatly from the savings provided by more efficient homes, appliances, and cars. However, these groups are often the least likely to be able to afford investments in more energy efficient measures and technologies. On March 31, UT, TDEC & TVA hosted a forum that featured several panel discussions targeting the topic of Energy Efficiency, Conservation & Low-Income Households at the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. The forum highlighted key aspects of the topic from the viewpoint of consumer behavior / economic researchers, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, transportation specialists, and utilities through panel discussions, keynote presentations, and open dialogue. To view the presentations from the forum, click here.
| |
| TVA and TVPPA Award Four Distributed Solar Solutions Projects Totaling 16.7 Megawatts
On March 29, TVA, in partnership with TVPPA, announced that it would be awarding 16.7 megawatts of carbon-free, solar capacity to four local power companies (LPCs) who submitted Distributed Solar Solutions (DSS) applications. Once completed, these projects, awarded to Chickasaw Electric Cooperative, the East Mississippi Electric Power Association, Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation, and the Johnson City Power Board, will generate enough solar energy to power more than 1,300 homes. Of note, Chickasaw Electric Cooperative, a key project development partner for the West Tennessee Solar Farm, has proposed a 2.7 MWdc solar facility atop a closed 37-acre landfill in Fayette County. The new Somerville Solar Center will showcase how an LPC can develop an innovative distributed energy project on a capped landfill site. Sited on otherwise unusable public property, the Somerville Solar Center will provide additional revenue to Fayette County through a land-lease agreement with Hexagon Energy, the project developer and holder of the power purchase agreement with TVA, while avoiding the use of prime agricultural land for energy projects. Furthermore, Chickasaw Electric proposes to use 100 kW of the array for a pilot community solar project, enabling customer participation and building experience for future programs, both at Chickasaw Electric and other LPCs. Once completed, the Somerville Solar Center will be the largest solar landfill project in Tennessee and the third such project in the state, joining two 200 kW facilities constructed atop closed landfills in Bristol and Hermitage in 2012.
| |
| Small Business Voucher Pilot Selects 33 Businesses
On March 10, U.S. DOE announced the names of 33 businesses that were selected to work directly with the National Labs to accelerate the transformation toward a clean energy economy. These partnerships will help promote economic development by pairing U.S. DOE’s unparalleled laboratory resources and expertise with small business creativity and entrepreneurship. Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Lab will work with nine of the selected businesses in the realms of advanced manufacturing, building technologies, fuel cells, geothermal technologies, and vehicle technologies. For more information on the selected projects, click here.
| |
| Vanderbilt Research on Batteries to Reduce Carbon
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a process to replace graphite electrodes used in electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries with carbon material recovered from the atmosphere, transforming the harmful gas into a valuable product and providing emission-free alternatives to today’s industrial and transportation fossil fuel uses. The process utilizes solar thermal electrochemical processes (STEP) to break down carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen and to produce carbon nanotubes that are stable, flexible, conductive and stronger than steel. In lithium-ion batteries, the carbon nanotubes give a small boost to the performance of the battery, and drastically reduce the cost. To read more about the research, click here.
| |
| U.S. DOE Issues Record of Decision on Plains & Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project
After nearly six years of study and evaluation, on March 25, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced a Record of Decision to participate in the development of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project, a major clean energy infrastructure initiative. This announcement concludes U.S. DOE’s NEPA review of the project. The project proposes to deliver 4,000 MW of low-cost, clean energy from wind farms in Oklahoma to consumers in the Mid-South and Southeast United States. The $2.5 billion project is expected to deliver the energy equivalent of four times the output from the Hoover Dam annually—enough power for more than one million American homes. For more information about the project, click here.
| |
| EPA Recognizes Eastman with Energy Star Award
For the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Tennessee-based Eastman Chemical Company with a 2016 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. The company has improved energy intensity by 9 percent since 2008, avoiding $30 million in energy costs in 2015 alone. Eastman also works with universities to advance new energy-savings technologies, and trains process improvement engineers to optimize the operations of existing units. For more information, click here.
| |
| City of Knoxville Adds Nine Propane-Powered Mowers to Their Fleet
The City of Knoxville recently purchased nine propane-powered lawn mowers for its Public Service Department to use on 400 acres of parks mowed regularly by the City. East Tennessee Clean Fuels, a U.S. DOE Clean Cities Coalition, encouraged the City to purchase the mowers based on their reduced carbon footprint through decreased carbon dioxide emission and a closed-loop fuel system, which prevents gas leaks.
| |
|
| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
| |
| Increase in 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 new 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 or contact Brandie Jones at nrevforklifts.tva@lmco.com or 615-248-0236.
| |
| Funding for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
In fiscal year 2015, USDA Rural Development invested $35.5 million in Tennessee's rural businesses, supporting 112 projects. USDA Rural Development’s REAP creates economic development opportunities for agricultural producers, rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers by supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. REAP grants provide a 25% reimbursement of the total system costs, with a maximum grant of $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency systems. Within the State of Tennessee, rural small businesses already benefit from over $2 million in USDA grants.
| |
| U.S. DOE's High Performance Computing for Manufacturing Program Seeks to Fund New Industry Proposals
U.S. DOE’s High Performance Computing for Manufacturing Program is seeking concept proposals from qualified U.S. manufacturers to participate in short-term, collaborative projects alongside experienced national laboratory staff. The collaborations will address key challenges in U.S. manufacturing through modeling, simulation, and data analysis. Projects must demonstrate potential impact to energy efficiency in manufacturing and/or the development of new clean energy technologies with a potential for broad national impact. U.S. DOE will award up to $3 million, to fund the research and work of approximately 8–10 projects. Concept papers are due by April 21, 2016, and full proposals will be due in mid-July. For more information, click here.
| |
| 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.
| |
| Next Generation Electric Machine FOA
On March 11, 2016, U.S. DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) announced up to $25 million in funding for applied research and development toward innovative technologies that increase the efficiency of electric motors, which use 70% of the electricity consumed by U.S. manufacturers and nearly a quarter of all electricity consumed nationally. In particular, this funding opportunity targets four technology areas to drive cost-effective efficiency enhancements: manufacturing of high performance thermal and electrical conductors, manufacturing of low-loss silicon steel, high temperature superconducting wire manufacturing, and manufacturing of other enabling technologies to increase performance. Approximately 8-12 projects will be selected to receive funding. Concept papers are due by April 12, 2016, and full applications will be due by June 7, 2016. For more information, and to view the funding opportunity announcement, click here.
| |
| As of today, over 20 global auto manufacturers are making or have planned to make electric vehicle models. Workplace charging for electric vehicles (EVs) is offered by more than 250 major employers and more than 12,000 charging stations are publicly available. EV Everywhere is U.S. DOE’s campaign to further increase the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, in order to expand upon a wider goal for the U.S. to become more energy secure and environmentally sustainable. Announced in 2012, the initiative has the technical goal of the U.S. becoming the first nation in the world to produce EVs that are as affordable for the average American family by 2022 as a 2012 baseline gasoline-powered vehicle. U.S. DOE has created an “EV Everywhere Decal” to spread awareness of this initiative, and is making this decal available to everyone, free of charge. U.S. DOE encourages interested parties to place the decals on charging stations, cars, and elsewhere as a way to mark endorsement for increased use of EVs. Click here for an example of the decal or to access the decal order form. If you would like to order decals, please send a completed order form to natalie.committee@ee.doe.gov.
| |
| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
| |
| 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. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Energy Programs and Clean Energy Solutions are hosting a free webinar for local jurisdictions, local cooperatives, and utility boards on April 11, 2016 from 10-11:30 am CDT to learn about and discuss the challenges and solutions associated with financing an LED street lighting conversion. This webinar will provide 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. This webinar will also introduce the U.S. Department of Energy’s Outdoor Lighting Accelerator, which offers free technical assistance to participating jurisdictions. Guest speakers include 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 register for the webinar, click here.
| |
| TREEDC - Memphis Luncheon Forum
The Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC) will host a free luncheon forum at Christian Brothers University in Memphis on April 22nd. The forum will touch on energy efficiency and solar opportunities for Tennessee, and will feature a presentation on the Gibson County Utility District’s state of the art Compressed Natural Gas Station. TREEDC forums are a great opportunity to network with renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation stakeholders in Tennessee. For a preliminary agenda and to RSVP, visit http://www.treedc.us/forum_registrations/lunch_forum.html before April 20th. Seating is limited.
| |
| Environmental Show of the South
The Environmental Show of the South is the largest and most comprehensive environmental conference and tradeshow in the region. Its goal is to provide high-quality, low-cost environmental training as well as updates on government/industry developments and trends, with a particular focus on solid and hazardous waste issues. The 45th annual event will be held on April 20-22, 2016, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This conference will feature speakers from leading environmental agencies, industry partners, law firms, and service providers. Learn about compliance from regulators and the regulated community alike, and speak one on one with your favorite permit writer. The exhibit hall will also showcase vendors offering a full spectrum of environmental goods and services. For more information, click here.
| |
| Mayor Berry's Citywide Spring Clean
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is encouraging neighborhood groups to participate in a citywide spring cleaning event on April 23, 2016. Neighborhood groups can register their clean-up here. Volunteers may also click here to find clean-ups to participate in. Public Works will be tracking how much trash is collected and will reward the community group that collects the most trash and/or compltes the best beautification project.
| |
| 2016 Better Buildings Summit
The Department of Energy (DOE) will host the 2016 Better Buildings Summit in Washington D.C. on May 9-11, 2016. The Summit is a national meeting where leading organizations across key sectors showcase solutions to cut energy intensity in their buildings portfolio-wide by 20% over the next ten years. The Summit is designed for partners and stakeholders to exchange best practices and highlight demonstrated market solutions with an equal emphasis on discussing future opportunities for greater energy efficiency in America’s homes and buildings. Attendees will benefit by learning first-hand from other organizations what energy efficiency strategies are proving most successful for reducing their energy use. Speakers from the commercial, industrial, public, and multifamily sectors are invited to share how they draw on energy efficiency technologies, business practices, and partnerships to save money on utility bills, create new jobs, and improve their organization’s competitiveness. Click here to learn more and to register for this event.
| |
| 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 an exhibit 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.
| |
| 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.
| |
|
|
|
|
