Past Decade was Warmest on Record
The Earth has been growing warmer for the past 50 years, and the past decade was the warmest on record, according to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
State of the Climate in 2009, released on July 28, draws on the contributions of more than 300 scientists from 160 research groups in 48 countries. The report examined 10 key climate indicators, which all indicate the world is warming.
Seven indicators are rising: air temperatures over land, sea-surface temperatures, air temperatures over oceans, sea levels, ocean heat contents, humidity, and temperatures in the troposphere, the active weather layer of the atmosphere that is closest to the Earth’s surface. The three declining indicators are arctic sea ice, glaciers, and spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere.
The report finds not only that the 2000s was the hottest decade on record but also that each of the last three decades was much warmer than the previous decade. The report concludes the world is moving toward a new climatic state that is consistently warmer, making it more likely for some areas to see more extreme events like severe drought, torrential rain, and violent storms. See the NOAA press release, the 2009 State of the Climate report Web site, and the NOAA Climate Services Web site.
Meanwhile, a report from Stanford University finds that heat waves and extremely high temperatures could be commonplace in the US within 30 years. The study drew on two dozen climate models to project what would happen in the US if increased CO2 emissions raised the Earth’s temperature by another 1.8°F, to 3.6°F hotter than the pre-industrial era, a scenario considered likely by the International Panel on Climate Change.
The study projects that from 2030-2039, most areas of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah could endure at least seven seasons equally intense as the hottest season ever recorded between 1951-1999. The climate modeling, which used unprecedented high-resolution simulations, found that an intense heat wave was likely to occur as often as five times between 2020-2029, and that the following decade would be even hotter. The study found persistent hot, drier conditions over most of the United States by the 2030s, posing serious risks to human health and agriculture and leading to more droughts and wildfires. DOE provided partial support for the study. See the Stanford University press release.
DOE Awards $188 Million to Small Businesses for Clean Energy
On August 2, DOE announced it will award $188 million-including $73 million in Recovery Act funds-to small businesses in 34 states to develop clean energy technologies with potential for commercialization.
Funded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR), the selections are for Phase II work. 201 awards in 76 targeted topics will support development of prototype or pilot operations for innovative technologies that have successfully passed the proof-of-concept stage. Targeted technology topics include smart grid, energy efficient buildings, industrial energy use, and high performance computing.
Smart grids will reduce energy use and thereby mitigate the need for new power plants, but system devices from utility control systems to household appliances need to communicate. One such Phase II project, led by Infotility in Colorado, will develop a "Smart Controller" that enables communication among distributed energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels, plug-in electric vehicles, and residential demand response devices.
In the solar sector, DOE seeks to develop novel but commercially feasible solar concepts and devices. A project led by Luminit, LLC, in California will build a unique sun-tracking holographic concentrator that separately uses visible light for PV power and infrared light to provide heat and hot water for a building. In keeping with Recovery Act goals, DOE’s SBIR efforts have incorporated a fast-track process for applications and provided business incubator funding. See the DOE press release and the SBIR/STTR Programs Office Web site.
U.S. Wind Installations Fall to 2007 Levels in Q2
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported on July 27 that only 700 MW of wind was added in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010, and painted a cloudy picture overall.
Q2 wind installations dropped 57% and 71% from 2008 and 2009 levels, respectively. The total installed U.S. wind capacity is now over 36,300 MW. Manufacturing investment also lags below 2008 and 2009 levels.
The 700 MW that was installed brought the first half U.S. total to 1,239 MW, a capacity level similar to 2007. Even with over 5,500 MW now under construction, AWEA projects that 2010 installations will likely be 25%-45% lower than 2009 installations. Beyond 2010, the amount of construction in the pipeline also drops off.
Texas installed the most new wind power-202 MW-in Q2 with the Penescal II project for Iberdrola Renewables, providing power for San Antonio and the South Texas Electric Cooperative. Delaware added its first utility-scale project in the second quarter, a one-turbine project built by the University of Delaware, bringing the number of states with utility-scale installations to 37.
One bright spot was that wind turbine orders saw a slight uptick in Q2, mostly for 2010 delivery. However, only two new wind manufacturing facilities came online in the first half of 2010, compared to seven in 2008 and five in 2009. See the AWEA press release and the AWEA Mid-Year 2010 Market Report (PDF 541 KB).
$17 Million Loan for Energy Storage in NY State
On August 2, DOE offered AES Energy Storage, LLC a conditional commitment for a $17.1 million loan guarantee to support construction of a 20 MW energy storage system using advanced lithium-ion batteries. This is the first battery-based energy storage system offered a DOE loan guarantee. The project, located in Johnson City, New York, will help provide a more stable and efficient electrical grid for the state’s high-voltage transmission network.
Power plants typically maintain the "grid frequency regulation" needed to balance generation and consumption by burning more fossil fuels. The AES project eliminates the need to burn fossil fuels by using battery technology and software to provide the same grid frequency regulation at a lower price. This advanced frequency regulation capability will allow renewable electricity generation to play a larger role in New York’s transmission network. The AES technology reduces carbon emissions by 70% compared to frequency regulation provided by fossil energy suppliers.
DOE has now offered conditional commitments for loan guarantees to support 14 clean energy projects. See the DOE press release and the DOE Loan Guarantee Program Web site.
$117 Million Loan Guarantee for Hawaii Wind Project
On July 27, DOE announced it finalized a $117 million loan guarantee for Kahuku Wind Power, LLC, and its 30 MW Kahuku Wind Power project in Hawaii.
The project includes development of an innovative wind plant that will supply electricity to about 7,700 households a year. According to company estimates, the project, located on Oahu’s North Shore, will create more than 200 wind jobs on the island. The project will be the first to meet reliability requirements for wind and solar energy set by Hawaiian Electric Company, the only electric utility operating on Oahu.
The project, which began construction in July, uses 12, 2.5 MW Liberty wind turbines manufactured by Clipper Windpower and a 10 MW battery energy storage system that will modulate and smooth fluctuations in power output caused by changes in wind levels.
First Wind Holdings, LLC, the project sponsor and an independent U.S.-based wind developer, built and operates Hawaii’s largest wind facility, the 30 MW Kaheawa Wind project on Maui, which generates 9% of the island’s electricity needs. See press releases from DOE and First Wind, and the DOE Loan Guarantee Program Web site.
GM Boosts Output of Chevy Volt
The buzz about electric vehicles (EVs) recently grew louder, as General Motors announced on July 30 that it will increase U.S. production capacity of its Chevy Volt by 50% next year.
Citing strong interest, GM says it will boost the number of units from 30,000 to 45,000 in 2012. The announcement came as President Obama toured the Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the Volt is assembled.
Earlier in the week, GM confirmed the 2011 Volt will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $41,000. The extended-range EV can qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. Chevy dealers have begun taking sales orders and 36-month leases that could cost $350 per month with a $2,500 down payment.
The Volt has 340-mile range, using electricity stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to power it for the first 40 miles, and one tank of gasoline for the remaining 300 miles. The Volt will be available later this year in California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and the Washington D.C. area. See the GM press releases on Volt production and Volt pricing, and the Volt Web site.
Also on July 27, Nissan revealed the first U.S. states to get the Leaf EV. The vehicle, designed to travel 100 miles on a battery charge, carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $32,780.
In December, it will be available to customers in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. The Leaf will then roll out to additional states in January and April of next year before becoming available in all markets nationwide by the end of 2011.
DOE closed a $1.4 billion loan to Nissan in January to allow Nissan to expand its factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, for the production of the Leaf and the battery packs it uses. Eventually, Nissan plans to produce 150,000 EVs a year. See the Nissan Leaf press release and the Leaf Web site.
Nine Cars Advance in $10 Million Automotive X Prize
The Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize organizers announced on July 27 that nine vehicles-from what began as a field of 136 super-efficient vehicles-are finalists for $10 million in prizes following on-track competition at Michigan International Speedway.
The innovative cars, representing seven teams from the US, Switzerland, Finland, and Germany, now move into the validation stage at DOE’s Argonne National Lab. Argonne will perform dynamometer testing before prize money is awarded at a ceremony on September 16 in Washington, D.C.
Surviving competitors proved their vehicles could meet the prize requirements, including getting 90 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) on the way to the final threshold of 100 MPGe, as well as passing dynamic safety and range tests. For the final on-track event, cars had to navigate 50 laps as fast as possible without exceeding 70 mph or slowing to less than 45 mph.
The finalists include two internal combustion engine cars from the Edison2 team in the mainstream class; two battery electric cars from the X-Tracer team in the tandem class; and five battery electric cars in the side-by-side category from five teams: Aptera, Li-ion Motors, RaceAbout Association, TW4XP, and Zap. See the X Prize press release, the X Prize standings Web site.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
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