Community News

U.S./Japan to Work Together on Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research

Spencer Abraham, United States Secretary of Energy, and Goji Sakamoto, Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, have signed a joint statement of intent to pursue pre-competitive research and development in the field of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The two countries intend to bring together officials and technical experts to participate in workshops and seminars, as well as exchange experts and share information on current polices, technological programs and developments in the area of fuel cells and hydrogen production, storage and transport technologies.

The U.S. and Japan are members of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE). On November 20, 2003, in Washington, D.C., Secretary Abraham, joined by ministers representing 14 nations and the European Commission, signed an agreement formally establishing the IPHE. For additional information, visit www.energy.gov.

Connecticut Fund Issues Request for Proposals for Solar PV Projects

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) has announced its continuing support for solar photovoltaics with a new three-year program for PV installations on commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. CCEF will seek proposals over the next three years and provide funding to projects that demonstrate Solar PV as a viable clean energy resource in Connecticut. Total funding under the program is $3 million.

The Fund is particularly interested in projects that promote uses of photovoltaics that:

• Create awareness, education and promotion of PV to Connecticut residents
• Help build PV infrastructure and create employment opportunities in Connecticut
• Employ innovative approaches that are ideally suited for PV, extracting the maximum value for the installation
• Demonstrate benefits of distributed generation in areas of electrical load congestion and incorporate energy storage that can be employed in the event of a blackout
• Exhibit a high probability of successful implementation and operation
• Promote the environmental benefits of PV

L.A. Solar Installations Obtain Only 45 Percent of Expected Wattage

A recent review of six major solar installations in Los Angeles showed that the L.A. Department of Water and Power (DWP) obtained an average of only 45 percent of the anticipated wattage. Two photovoltaic panels at the Los Angeles Convention Center generated less than 40 percent of design capacity--29 percent from one and 37 percent from the other. The report on DWP's "green" power program also revealed that costs per kilowatt hour on the sampled solar installations were roughly twice the market average of 40 cents. According to DWP, experts are investigating whether the shortfall indicates a broader problem with more than 500 solar installations citywide.

Since June, when the DWP temporarily froze its incentive plan because demand outpaced available funding, the utility has increased funding to $150 million through 2011. DWP has $11 million in confirmed funding to pay off this year and $109 million worth of requests on the waiting list. The DWP is restructuring the solar program to meet customer demand and could reduce the incentive grants that are offered. Customers now get $4.50 for every watt of solar energy generated by panels installed in L.A., but built outside the city. The funding is $6 per watt if the solar panels were built in L.A.

World Trade Center's Freedom Tower to Feature Wind Turbines

Last month, New York Governor George E. Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg revealed plans for the Freedom Tower on the World Trade Center site, including plans to incorporate wind-harvesting turbines that will provide 20 percent of the building's energy. Designed by architects David Childs and Daniel Libeskind, the Freedom Tower will rise 1,776 feet in the sky, becoming the world's tallest building.

The building will contain 2.6 million square feet of office space on approximately 60 stories. Two concourse levels will house retail components and connect to transit hubs. At the top, the building will house both rooftop restaurants and a public observation deck.

Above the occupied spaces, a lacy structure of tension cables that brace the building will rise up to 1,500 feet and will include the wind turbines. The Freedom Tower will incorporate state-of-the-art safety systems, far exceeding New York City's building code requirements. Groundbreaking is expected in mid-2004.

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