Delaware Governor Jack Markell on Thursday announced the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act, which he said will help homes and businesses secure locally-generated power and expand emerging industries such as wind and solar power in Delaware to create new careers for the state’s citizens.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act would facilitate the potential installation of approximately 300 megawatts (MW) of new solar photovoltaic systems by 2029, resulting in the creation of hundreds of secure, quality clean energy jobs. The Act also would facilitate the potential installation of over 1000 MW of utility-scale generation, likely in offshore wind power. Additional jobs would be created by prioritizing Delaware renewable-energy projects and incentivizing the use of locally manufactured systems.
The legislation would create a longer-range target for the existing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), putting Delaware course to receive 30% of its energy supplies from renewable sources by 2029. It would also seek uniformity in the RPS and include a local generation component to maximize the economic development potential from solar and wind.
Markell made the announcement at Motech Americas, a solar company in Newark. Motech Americas currently employs more than 70 people and is in the process of expanding manufacturing capacity. They are expected to add 75 more jobs before the end of the year.
At the event, the Governor highlighted some of the great work being done by Delaware businesses to move technology and the state’s economy forward. For example: DuPont is emerging as a leader in solar technology components; WL Gore is developing next-generation fuel cells; White Optics has an innovative high-efficiency lighting solution; PTM Manufacturing is producing innovative, green-building materials; Sanosil manufactures green cleaning products; Innospec is working on alternative fuels; Autoport is doing electric vehicle conversions and potentially ground-breaking vehicle-to-grid power; IonPower is designing fuel cells; Ashland is developing green chemistry and water technology; Fisker said it expects to employ thousands of Delawareans, and NRG recently acquired Bluewater Wind.
In Other State News…
Solar and wind power can supply 94% of North Carolina’s electricity needs, according to a report released last week. Combined with generation from hydroelectric and other renewable sources, such as landfill gas, only 6% of electricity would have to be purchased from outside the system or produced at conventional plants.
"Even though the wind does not blow nor the sun shine all the time, careful management, readily available storage and other renewable sources, can produce nearly all the electricity North Carolinians consume," explained Dr. John Blackburn, the study’s author. Dr. Blackburn is Professor Emeritus of Economics and former Chancellor at Duke University.
"Critics of renewable power point out that solar and wind sources are intermittent," Dr. Blackburn continued. "The truth is that solar and wind are complementary in North Carolina. Wind speeds are usually higher at night than in the daytime. They also blow faster in winter than summer. Solar generation, on the other hand, takes place in the daytime. Sunlight is only half as strong in winter as in summertime. Drawing wind power from different areas–the coast, mountains, the sounds or the ocean–reduces variations in generation. Using wind and solar in tandem is even more reliable. Together, they can generate three-fourths of the state’s electricity. When hydroelectric and other renewable sources are added, the gap to be filled is surprisingly small."
Jim Warren, Executive Director of the North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (NC WARN), added, "Utilities and their allies are pressing policy-makers to allow construction of expensive and problem-ridden nuclear reactors–with ratepayers and taxpayers absorbing enormous financial risks. Prof. Blackburn’s study demonstrates that such risks are not necessary. Solar, wind and other renewable sources can meet nearly all of North Carolina’s energy needs."
Dr. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), explained why his center published Dr. Blackburn’s report. "This is a landmark case study of how solar and wind generation can be combined to provide round-the-clock electric power throughout the year. North Carolina utilities and regulators and those in other states should take this template, refine it, and make a renewable electricity future a reality."
Dr. Blackburn’s report, "Matching Utility Loads with Solar and Wind Power in North Carolina: Dealing with Intermittent Electricity Sources," is available at the link below.
Loading...