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| TVA Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
On March 9, 2015, TVA released a draft of its 2015 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which aims to decide on the best mix of energy sources that TVA can rely on over the next 20 years to meet anticipated power demands.
Through April 27, 2015, TVA will accept feedback from the public, as it works towards finalizing the draft and producing a completed version of the plan to the TVA board this summer. Public meetings in Tennessee will be held on the following dates: - April 6- TVA West Tower (Auditorium), 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902
- April 15- MLGW Training Center, 4949 Raleigh-LaGrange Rd, Memphis, TN 38128
- April 21- Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (Kirkland/Calhoun Room), 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
All meetings will be held from 7:00-8:30 pm local time. Members of the public may also submit comments to TVA online here.
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TDEC Commissioner Martineau Discusses Jurisdictional Challenges of Power Plan
TDEC Commissioner and President of the Environmental Council of the States Bob Martineau spoke with Environment and Energy (E&E) TV’s OnPoint show on March 23, 2015, to discuss the jurisdictional challenges that exist within states and between air agencies and public utility commissions in determining how best to comply with the U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan.
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| Alcoa Partners with U.S. DOE ATVM to Expand Aluminum Development for Fuel-efficient Cars
The U.S. DOE announced on March 26 that it reached a conditional, $259 million loan agreement with Alcoa to fund an expansion of the Tennessee-based aluminum manufacturer’s Alcoa, TN facility that produces high-strength aluminum used in fuel-efficient cars. The ATVM Loan Program is currently accepting applications. Loans may be made to applicants to finance the cost of: - Reequipping, expanding or establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce ATVs or qualifying components or
- Engineering integration performed in the United States of ATVs or qualifying components.
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Presidential Challenge for Outdoor Lighting Triples Its Initial Goal
In May of 2014, the Obama administration, in conjunction with the U.S. DOE, set an initial goal for the Accelerator to work with local and municipal governments in retrofitting 500,000 light poles. Ramping up its commitment, the Obama administration announced on January 23, 2015 that it would triple its goal to 1.5 million light poles by May of 2016. This initiative is expected to help participating cities and states reduce the cost of their outdoor lighting bills by 50% or more. TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs (OEP) has recently signed on with HPOLA to collaborate with three or more municipalities in developing an outdoor lighting roadmap, which will incorporate a system-wide analysis and replace a significant portion of each municipality’s outdoor lighting portfolio within two years. This work ties in with OEP’s ongoing efforts, under a separate U.S. DOE grant, to provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions, K-12 schools, and public housing authorities, and to support implementation of energy investments in these sectors, including outdoor street lighting improvements.
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Third Sub-allocation for Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) Released
Through the RFP, local governments can once again apply for low-interest bonds to help finance energy savings projects. The Office of Energy Programs, in conjunction with the Tennessee Local Development Authority, will make the remaining funds available for qualifying projects until bond capacity is exhausted. Tennessee’s total remaining allocation for the program is expected to fluctuate due to pending issuances under the previously approved sub-allocations and any additional re-allocations from large local jurisdictions. QECBs were created by Congress in 2008 and expanded in 2009 by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of the State’s total $64.67 million allocation, approximately $40 million has been, or is currently scheduled to be issued for qualifying projects by jurisdictions automatically eligible under the federal legislation or through previous competitive sub-allocation processes. Case Study: Through financing from the previous sub-allocation of the QECB program, PHG Energy and the City of Lebanon, Tennessee have partnered up to engineer and construct a sustainable waste-to-energy gasification plant and electricity-generating solar panel array adjacent to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. By way of a thermo-chemical process, the downdraft gasification plant is expected to convert 64 tons per day of waste into a fuel that will produce up to 300Kw of electricity. For more information on the QECB program, please contact Alexa Voytek in TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs at alexa.voytek@tn.gov or 615-741-2994.
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Next Generation Electric Machines: Megawatt Class Motors Funding Opportunity
The U.S. DOE released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $20 million in available funding to spur development of high speed industrial motors and drives, using high-power density designs and integrated power electronics to increase efficiency. The funding complements the Advanced Manufacturing Office’s (AMO) Next Generation Electric Machines (NGEM) program, which is an RD&D effort to develop a new generation of machines that have more efficient use of electricity, as well as reduced drive system size and weight. This specific Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is focused on developing MV integrated drive systems that leverage the benefits of state of the art power electronics (i.e., wide bandgap devices) with energy efficient, high speed, direct drive, megawatt (MW) class electric motors for efficiency and power density improvements in three primary areas: (1) Chemical and petroleum refining industries; (2) Natural gas infrastructure; and (3) General industrial applications. These application areas represent a significant number of motor installations, a large amount of electrical energy consumption, and significant opportunities for U.S. technology and manufacturing competitiveness. Concept paper submissions are due by 5:00 PM ET on April 16, 2015, and full application submissions are due by 5:00 PM ET on June 3, 2015.
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| Streamlined information on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs
Originally established in 1995, this resource has recently been updated so that users can now filter and search using multiple criteria. The database contains information on more than 2,800 active policies and programs across all 50 states that relate to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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Webinar on the ORNNL Buildings Crowdsourcing Community
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has released a new crowdsourcing website, the ORNL Buildings Crowdsourcing Community, which allows technology innovators to collect, share and evaluate input from customers and other stakeholders on energy efficient next-generation building technologies. U.S. DOE and ORNL will present a live webinar titled “Getting the Most Benefit from Participating in the ORNL Buildings Crowdsourcing Community Online” on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 2.30- 3.30 p.m. EST. To register for the webinar, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6489688527762053633.
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Environmental Show of the South Sponsored by TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management, 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 44th annual event will be held April 22-24, 2015 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. For more information and to register, visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/solid-waste/solid-waste_conference.shtml.
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| TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards
To celebrate Clean Air Month and to honor outstanding advances in the area of transportation, TDEC is hosting a Sustainable Transportation Forum and Awards Ceremony on May 7, 2015 at Memphis Central Station. Winners will be announced prior to the Awards Ceremony in mid-April. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner in this effort. To register for the event, visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eaoncu0yb1e48348&llr=6p8lj9gab.
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| The Clean Power Plan: Health, Energy Demand, and Economic Effects
Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Law School will host a forum on May 18-19, 2015 on the implementation of the U.S. Clean Power Plan, and its impact on human health, economic benefits and innovative demand reduction strategies. The event is targeted towards state regulators, clean energy and energy efficiency business representatives, demand reduction researchers, and clinical health experts. For questions, contact Kacy Rohn: kacy@cleanenergy.org.
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Save the Date for the Tennessee Gas Association’s “CNG Across Tennessee” Rally On May 18-22, 2015, the Tennessee Gas Association (TGA) is holding a statewide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle rally to showcase CNG vehicles and technologies. The rally will hold stops at fueling stations in Memphis, Trenton, Nashville, Athens, and Sevierville. For more information on the “CNG Across Tennessee” Rally as well as other TGA events and resources, visit www.tngas.org.
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