Sustainable Green Communities now seeking Reseliency for Climate Change adaptation

Tweet

Solar energy is now the fastest growing Solution with potential to make power at same cost as other power sources. Therefore future power plants are more likely to be solar or Wind farms as compared to traditional designs.

Utility companies need base load power combined with peak load power such as solar to meet the grid demand. The management of the Grid and distributed generation is key to meet variable demands of the day.

Lower cost energy storage would be the game changer, where many Energy Storage companies will create a huge market in coming decade, as the unit cost of storage goes down. This is similar to what  happened to the price of solar PV panels in past 8 years.

Combining solar PV  with storage and controls would be the ideal solution where the energy production can match the usage and reduce the need to transmit power from remote power plants.

An added benefit to the communities would be their ability to create small micro-grids where power never fails when grid goes down. Without the storage, the Green power generation system must be turned off when power fails.

Better energy solutions are around the corner for planning sustainable Green communities seeking energy independence and resilient future for economic growth.

New York State DEC Agency Honors Town of Williamson in Upstate NY as Energy Independent Sustainable Community

Tweet

Looking for a small Town reaching the goal of Energy Independence in America?
Well! Town of Williamson in Wayne County New York achieved it in 2014 and was honored with Environmental Excellence Award on November 17, 2015 by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Check out this award at the following link;

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-recognizes-seven-innovative-programs-resulting-healthier-environment-and
Larsen Engineers was also recognized for assisting the Town of Williamson in providing guidance and engineering services to build 1.5 MW solar power system at their closed landfill which produces as much power as the Town owned facilities consumes per year.

Sustainable Climate Change Solutions - Based on Solar and Battery Storage

Tweet

Innovation and new technologies are racing to bring the cost down for the customers.
Solar PV system installed costs have reduced by 75% and battery storage technology is also showing similar reduction in cost.

As climate changes we will need to implement energy security measures so we have power and quality of life when our Utility grid is out of service. The best defense is to make power where you use it and have provision to store on site so our critical needs can be met during the power failure.

It is now possible to project that very soon in New York State, we can make Solar  power for same cost as current cost of electricity ranging from 7-9 cents per kWh. Once the investment is made this cost does not change for the 30 year + life of the system as compared to about 3% escalation each year by the Utility.
With affordable battery storage systems we will be able to charge the batteries with night power and then use it along with the solar power production to meet the daytime needs.

Energy supply reliability is now a concern because of extreme climate change events taking place more frequently, What to do now? Our choices are to pay much higher amount to Utility company as they invest Billions in upgrading the power plants, old transmission and distribution system and pass on the cost to consumers. Alternatively we can act and seek independence by investing in generation and storage technology.

Hope the innovations and cost reductions in both solar and energy storage technology makes this dream possible.

Strategy for Faster Implementation of Solar PV projects in Sustainable Green Communities

Tweet

An Year has gone by as we tried to find a way to help our small communities to find Energy Independence with Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a Private Developer who would finance, build and operate the solar PV system. 

This is a great  idea but with no risk comes the delays and uncertainties. Some of the host communities found out that Developer was unable to complete the projects in time due to weak financial support where the investor just backed off from the deal. What should the community do to assure faster and more assured implementation?

We are now following a two step procurement approach that can save money and get better outcome for all parties. It all starts with community education to first build the buy in and desire to go green and make your own power at a suitable site. Study of all of the municipality owned facilities energy consumption is necessary to estimate the current energy use and size the Solar PV system and a site with adequate electrical service to be able to supply excess power to the grid.

The second step is to present the opportunity to financing Companies and get a commitment from them as Proforma PPA based on a projected capital cost of the system. Once the terms of the power purchase agreements are executed then we issue a Request for Proposal to design and build the system from local developer -solar installers. These proposals are evaluated to select the contractor to submit the bid proposal to NYSERDA and get the grant commitment.The final PPA is executed after modifications to take into account the actual capital cost and grant amount. This approach takes away the need for solar PV installers to search for financing partner since the Owner makes this choice at the beginning of the project.

This market needs fast track and simpler process to cut costs and get best value for the communities. 

Go Solar Now. The process is now better and many communities now realize that this is the right thing to do.

Thanksgiving to New Year 2014 - a time for Sustainable Green Celebrations

Tweet

Thanksgiving is now over and we quickly move to Christmas Holidays and Welcoming the New Year 2014.
 when you look back we are thankful that the Hurricane season spared the worst for people living along the Ocean front communities.

We are thankful for the largest growth in Solar PV Renewable energy installations in America and rest of the World. New York State plans to install $500 million dollars worth of solar PV in 2014.

We are excited about the prospects of New York leading the Green Projects as the State supports the use of Green fuels such as BioCNG or RNG in transportation sector.

We look forward to communities partnering with Farm businesses to convert cow manure and food waste into bio-gas and converting this gas in to Compressed natural gas for use on Trucks and fleets with huge savings by replacing diesel fuel and cleaning the air.

The holiday lighting will see lot more use of LED lights that saves money and lasts a lot longer.

Well! Green is now more accepted as we point out the monetary savings and mention environmental benefits as frosting on the cake for the conservative thinkers.

Better days are ahead. Let us celebrate what has been achieved and seek higher levels of success in building sustainable Green Communities and gain Energy Independence.

Happy Holidays!

March forward with Renewable Energy under NY Sun Rising program

Tweet

 NY State passed the budget last week and it contains the funding and investment incentives to help implement energy conservation and green power generation projects.

Sustainable Green Communities will take advantage of this opportunity.
As the earth day approaches on April 22, 2013 it is good time for all power consumers to think about what they can do to change and help support energy conservation and switch to green power generation.

Energy independence can be achieved if we make up our mind to do it. Hopefully the future will bring examples of such communities and business leaders that will inspire others to follow and make their own contribution.

Better days are ahead.

New York State planning 400% increase in Solar PV

Tweet

A new chapter is about to begin in New York State as the Governor announced a new program of funding to help large energy consumers to install system of over 50,000 watts to net meter against their usage. Over 100 million will be available over next 12 months for those who are willing to make a commitment to pursue solar power for their communities or facilities.
On first review it looks too good to be true. Imagine a program where a third party can install Million of Dollars of equipment on your site under a power purchase agreement (PPA) and you pay same amount or less to them for 5-7 years. after this period, you own the system for $1.00 and keep free solar power for next 30 years. The facility becomes energy independent, ever one wins. Let us see how many people take advantage of this program.
We hope that Leaders of communities and large facilities will not miss the opportunity and bid their projects ( max. limit per project of $6,000,000 with min. 50% match).
Such programs help bring the cost of solar power down, and  make it possible to dream of energy independence for anyone that has land or roof area to install systems on their property. Sustainable green energy is the best long term solution for America.
Good Luck!

Plug in Hybrid- Buy now or Wait?

Tweet

So why should we buy a plug in hybrid?

Most of the buyers may be doing it because their heart says it is right thing to do. The mind  and most auto review experts say that  you will not get the return on investment for high cost of storage battery.  If it is all about money than stay with old technology and by a regular car that gives 40 miles per gallon. If you crave for energy independence some day than do it for the experience of joy of not using gasoline. With cost of storage batteries high most cars have small range. My Prius" plug in" takes me about 12 miles of pure pleasure of "Zero gasoline" range. I charge the car again at the office and then return home with zero use of gasoline. How do you price this feeling? The money saved from gasoline may only be worth $2.00 each day assuming the 50 miles per gallon for Prius. One has to experience the feeling as you see the gauge and find out that you reached the office in EV range and still have left over miles. Although I must admit that I wish it had the minimum 30 miles per charge range.

Each buyer should be considered as an investor in our future by creating the demand for these expensive cars.Some day the new battery storage technology will give us 300+mile range and filling station that can recharge in 15 minutes. That will be the day when Americans would not have to look at the gas stations price tags and just go past these conventional stations to parking lots, where electric charge station will do the job while you have lunch or shop in the store.

It is this dream that inspires the initial buyers of these hard to justify cars with the decision whether to buy the plug in or EV car?

Some decisions are made with passion in your heart and overlook the money calculations that shows how many years it takes to recover the extra money you paid for the plug in hybrid or EV technology. How do yo measure the Happiness in your heart or value of smile when you experience this new technology. I am loving it. Do not postpone to experience this for future.. It is only the present that counts.
Ram

Energy Independent Farms and Sustainable Communities

Tweet

The thought of National and State debts going up scares me, from our future point of view. What are we giving to the next generation? Our dependence on oil and military interventions to protect oil are costly and too much money is leaving the country giving us trade deficits.

Let us focus on Green Solutions and stop spending borrowed money.
How do produce value at home and keep the money in our local economy? The answer is to think of sustainable green strategies and help develop local businesses. Invest in conservation, finance long term green power generation systems.

New York States is fortunate to have a very large agricultural business base. Many rural Counties have large number of dairy farms, Fruits and vegetable farms which supports the local economy. Most farms have large land areas and potential for wind energy, solar energy and biomass energy. These farms can become an economic engine for the local community if the Community Leaders decide to invest in long term strategy of renewable energy development at these farms. Local green jobs and availability of local grown food with improved environment are key benefits.

As the Nations invests in Green infrastructure we should focus on helping these farms become economically stable, energy independent and provider of green power and bio fuels. There is GOLD waiting to be extracted in this Green Sector.

Urgency for Sustainability.Replace Fear with Hope.

Tweet

I listened to a talk yesterday at RIT given by Mr. Kevin Surace of Serious materials.Here was a graduate of RIT returning to tell the next generation to focus on Green technology as solution to our climate change mega-problem. His message- Innovate with disruptive technologies that can make a world of difference. We were listening to someone who is walking the talk. His company is a living example that you can be financially successful while creating many green jobs and help solve our environmental problem. We need Leaders like Mr. Surace in every community in America.We hope that his message gets to new leaders that will follow his example and innovate in every other field that deals with energy use.

The next generation graduating from our Universities that should take notice of this challenge. This is the "purpose" you are searching for, Creating solutions that can help us be energy independent.

The temperature rising and snow melting on our poles is scary observation, and if you look at actual pictures taken by NASA we may not have as many years to control this problem as we thought earlier. The thought of extreme flooding, displacement of millions of people is very disturbing. More deaths could be caused by environmental consequences as compared to the wars of the past. Now is the time to ACT and be inspired by the possibility of green solutions, new jobs and economic security. It will help and make some difference to the world while give us a great feeling that we did our part to the best of our ability. Each person counts so let us move forward with action.

9/11/2010 Resolution - Net Zero Energy

Tweet

Today is a very special day and requires a commitment on our part to be ready to sacrifice for the sake of our future. America First needs Energy Independence from imported energy. Let us resolve today to be import free by 2020.
With Federal and State tax credits and long term low cost financing, each consumer can achieve " Net Zero Energy Goal". This can be achieved by retrofits to conserve energy and apply new green technology to produce green energy.
Sustainable communities should promote " Net Zero" strategies for their public infrastructure. Imagine Town Halls, Libraries, Fire Halls, Public works Garages, water and waste water plants producing as much energy as they consume. It is achievable in 10-20 years, but needs the Will to do it.
So on September 11, 2010, let us set our goals high and start the journey. Our future economic Development depends on this.
Good Luck