Green Energy News | December 16, 2001

December 16, 2001 – Vol.6 No.38

ENERGIES... week of December 16, 2001

SELF-SUFFICIENT SCOTLAND. Scotland could power itself completely from renewable resources - and then some. A new report - the Scottish Renewable Resource 2001 - commissioned by the Scottish Executive finds that Scotland could be energy self-sufficient and be a major supplier of green power to the rest of the U.K. Renewable energy resources, mostly from onshore and offshore wind, as well as wave and tidal energy, could produce nearly 60 gigawatts of electricity.

To put this green powerhouse in perspective, the current installed generating capacity of all of the U.K. (including Scotland) is around 80 gigawatts. There is enough potential onshore wind energy alone to meet Scotland’s peak winter demand for electricity two times over. Renewable energy potential equals 75 percent of the total existing generating capacity in the U.K.

The study, prepared by wind energy consultants Garrad Hassan, was announced at the opening of Green House, the new offices of renewable energy developer Natural Power. Green House consumes only 30 percent of the energy of a conventional building of similar size. All power provided for the building comes from locally generated renewable power. Visit Natural Power at http://www.naturalpower.com/ , Garrad Hassan at http://www.garradhassan.com/ and the report at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ (click Publications).

SMART TRANSPORTATION. Whether people live in the country, the suburbs, or in the heart of a city, personal motorized transportation has become a part of life that, it’s safe to say, few are ready to give up. But does the personally-owned vehicle have to be the one used for commuting to work as well as the family vacation? Wouldn’t it make more sense to rent vehicles on a trip-by-trip basis for mundane travel and save the pride and joy for more pleasurable trips?

The first step has been taken to create a new form of personal transportation for Atlanta, Georgia. eMotion Mobility and the Metro Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA) have agreed to develop a plan to begin a station car program in the metropolitan area. If the plan is approved by MARTA directors, the program should be in operation by the end of next year with over 100 vehicles in operation.

The station car program will allow subscribers access to short term, pay-per-trip use of electric vehicles stationed at MARTA rail and bus stops, as well as selected shopping malls and office complexes. Those pick-up and drop-off locations will also become charging points for the battery electric vehicles.

Subscribers will be able to reserve a car using the Internet or through the eMotion Mobility call center. In new facilities just opened, eMotion will install a battery electric drivetrain to DaimlerChrysler MCC smart cars. eMotion will purchase the smart cars semi-completed, without engines.

Beyond Atlanta, the company is already planning expansion of its station car program to include 2500 vehicles in Atlanta along with more programs developed in the U.S. northeast and California to build a total fleet of 16,000 vehicles in five years.

HONDA’S SECOND HYBRID. Honda will unveil its Civic Hybrid to the U.S. public at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show beginning the day after Christmas. The 2003 Civic Hybrid, expected to retail for about $20,000 should get about 50 miles per gallon in both city and highway driving. The car uses an upgraded version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system along side a 1.3 liter combustion engine.

The Civic Hybrid is spiffed-up with a full load of standard equipment and will be available with a continuously variable automatic transmission or manual shift.. Honda expects about 2000 sales per month. Visit Honda at http://www.honda.com/ .

WORLD WIND WATCH. CHI Energy, the North American subsidiary of Italy’s Erga Spa (it a subsidiary of Enel Spa) has announced the completion of the 30 megawatt Fenner Wind Generation Project in New York State. Fenner, now selling wind generated power as a New York Independent System Operator (ISO), is the single largest windpower project east of the Mississippi River. Fenner, built for $34 million, has 20, 1.5 megawatt Enron Wind turbines. Visit CHI at http://www.chienergy.com/

Announced early this year at the American Wind Energy Association conference, Valmont has developed an operating prototype of its Wind Energy Structure. The Structure, a modular design which pieces can fit into a standard 40 foot shipping container, is self-erecting through the help of the company’s Turbine Lifting Platform (TLP). TLP eliminates the need for a large crane at the site to install the generator and rotors. The elimination of the oversized crane also eliminates the need to construct a wide roadway and support pad to accommodate it. The TLP can be moved from site to site.

The Structure is designed to reduce the cost of wind turbine installation. Reducing the cost of installation ultimately reduces the cost - or increases the profits - of wind generated power.

Valmont, which manufactures support structures for infrastructure such as power transmission and lighting, has sold products in more than 100 countries. The 200-foot prototype has a 660-kilowatt Vestas V-47 turbine installed at its peak. Visit Valmont at http://www.valmont.com/ (click Poles, What’s New)