Good afternoon Secretary Conner-
Farm energy production are practices that every ag producer and rural community member can review, then select the best one(s) for their situation.
A natural point to start this review is the Energy Types webpage. The links from the types- such as "anaerobic digester"- go to generic splash pages (in this case, to "Welcome to USDA Rural Development's Electric Programs") that are completely disconnected from the "energy type" link. "
"Muddying the water" seems to be the purpose of the "splash pages;" the producer or resident is left to randomly try "headers" on the chance that something relevant is behind them. Information overload" is increased to the point of leaving the page, angry that promised knowledge on the "energy type" became a "bait and switch" tactic.
More frightening is the thought that the mis-direction was intended, that USDA merely is "running farm energy production up the flagpole" to give the appearance of "being on-board" the national energy security bandwagon.
From the Electric Programs "splash page" is a Renewable Energy link which at first glance, holds promise. More links; perhaps Renewable Energy Technology Resources has something on "anaerobic digesters." Ah, another page of links-
Wind, Solar, Biomass, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Energy Efficiency, and Electric Utility Interconnection. There- Anaerobic Digesters - AgSTAR Program- in Biomass. Excellent! (If you notice the logo and page layout change, you'll see we're now at the EPA. Farm energy production and pollution reduction/management go "hand-in-hand," for this technology, anyhow.)
The AgSTAR Program is a voluntary effort jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Which means there are three sources of funds for planning and installing your anaerobic digester, three different set of paperwork, and three different sets of regulations and requirements to comply with. (No one said farm energy production was gonna be easy.)
Naturally there's a link list to provide more information on the AgSTAR Program:
Basic Information
Accomplishments
Experts & Industry Directory
Documents Tools and Resources
Workshops/Conferences and
Guide to Operational Systems.
USDA can develop simple link-lists that carry the farmer, rancher, community leader, or lender, from the "energy type" to a specific description (no more than two paragraphs are needed) of what it is and how it can be used in farm energy production.
From there the method (such as "energy efficiency") or technology is briefly described as well. Slash verbiage to provide only information on what is "on the shelf" now; save the research results and vision and mission statements for the land grant colleges.
Following the "what" and "where" is "how;" tell the producer or the town official the steps s/he should expect to take to be a successful farm energy producer. Most of the steps can be made visible for easy understanding and planning; the remaining few can be made known to extension and/or technical professionals for their implementation guidance.
(Lists of these contacts should be highlighted and linked- {don't "nest" links} for easiest way-finding- in the steps.Their knowledge and time are valuable and has to be focused on only those "nuts that are tough to crack.")
"Energy types" link lists need to eliminate "information overload" by delivering the specific information that has been "headlined." Doing that will enable producers and town officials to transform the "bread basket of the world" into America's "energy basket."
Title IX of the 2002 "farm bill" established the precedent-
--new programs and grants for procurement of biobased products
--support development of biorefineries
--educate the public about benefits of biodiesel fuel use
--assist eligible farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in purchasing renewable energy systems and
reauthorizes and broadens the bioenergy program.
Site map-like linklists support efficiency in putting the precedent to work in the 2007 "farm bill" Title IX Energy.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Earning $152,878, leasing for $4,000
$152,878 is a conservative estimate of revenue from a large wind turbine on South Dakota ag land. Land owners are being told to accept $4,000 per turbine in a wind lease or their land will be isolated from development.
Sadly, producers have a lot of experience with selling their crops and livestock for poverty-level profits; once again they face marketing a new commodity without knowing its value.
With every hour "superb" wind speed (faster than 24 mph), a 1.5 MW can generate up to 3,195 kW. A South Dakota land owner isn't paid "fair market value" because s/he doesn't yet have "aerinomics" information. S/he has more agronomics information than s/he "can shake a stick at" on other ag practices, but not aerinomics on wind farming.
Utility companies are "cherry picking" some of the nation's fourth-best wind power from land owners from a position of knowing they can
Sadly, producers have a lot of experience with selling their crops and livestock for poverty-level profits; once again they face marketing a new commodity without knowing its value.
With every hour "superb" wind speed (faster than 24 mph), a 1.5 MW can generate up to 3,195 kW. A South Dakota land owner isn't paid "fair market value" because s/he doesn't yet have "aerinomics" information. S/he has more agronomics information than s/he "can shake a stick at" on other ag practices, but not aerinomics on wind farming.
Utility companies are "cherry picking" some of the nation's fourth-best wind power from land owners from a position of knowing they can
- sell- at a premium- wind power as "green power" or "blue skies" power and/or
- sell it as plain ol' power to consumers where rates are 11¢ and even 14¢ kWh.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Concentrated solar power station
Molten salt can be used in a solar power generator to store heat for later use is the gist of a The Wall Street Journal report on 2 Jan W 08, p. A7; "Solar Venture Will Draw on Molten Salt," by J. Lynn Lunsford. The report has one process flow diagram.
Some attributes of a concentrated solar energy power system include
Some attributes of a concentrated solar energy power system include
- molten salt stores heat extremely well, losing only about 1% of its heat during a day
- rising fossil fuel prices have made the system competitive and
- for generating energy during periods of peak demand when utility companies pay premium prices.
- the system functions like a conventional hydropower plant
- salt is free and inexhaustible and
- availability is more predictable than water reserves andenvironmental impact is essentially zero.
The uniqueness of this solar system is in de-coupling the collection of solar energy from producing power, electricity can be generated in periods of inclement weather or even at night using the stored thermal energy in the hot salt tank.
According to Tom Mancini, Sandia National Laboratory; U.S. Department of Energy, the tanks are well-insulated and can store energy for up to a week. Other studies show that the two-tank storage system could have an annual efficiency of about 99 percent.
A concentrated solar power station could be part of a farm energy production system of wind, biogas, and anaerobic digestion.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Everything is connected to every thing else
Your great-uncle (like mine) or great-grandad may have used wind power to pump water from wells. Now a South Dakota resource- 1,030 billion kWhs- is being harnessed to help light homes and businesses.
27 wind turbines are in Highmore, the largest wind farm in South Dakota. Its 27 1.5 MW (1,500 kW) turbines produce enough electricity to power over 14 thousand homes.
Each ton of coal consumed at an electric power plant produces about 2,000 kilowatthours (2 MW) of electricity. 2,000 pounds of coal, 2,000 kWhs; we'll say burning one pound of coal yields one kWh. At these numbers, the turbines at Highmore prevent burning 40.5 tons of coal for every hour of 30+ mph wind.
A 500 megawatt coal plant uses 2.2 billion gallons of water a year, for cooling and for steam production. At these numbers, each turbine at Highmore prevents the loss of 341 gallons of water for every hour of 30+ mph wind. More water for people, plants, and livestock in addition to cleaner air.
As a friend of mine would say: Hmmmm.
1 kW = 1.359 HP
1 Pound of Coal = 10,000 Btu
1 Kilowatthour of Electricity = 3,412 Btu
1 Gallon of Heating Oil = 139,000 Btu
1 Gallon of Propane = 91,000 Btu
1 Cubic Foot of Natural Gas = 1,021 Btu
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply by 1.31
To convert MPH to M/S divide MPH by 2.2
To convert M/S to MPH multiply M/S by 2.2
1 meter / second = 2.23 mph
1 meter squared = 10.764 feet squared
50 m = 164'; 1 m = 3.28 feet.
27 wind turbines are in Highmore, the largest wind farm in South Dakota. Its 27 1.5 MW (1,500 kW) turbines produce enough electricity to power over 14 thousand homes.
Each ton of coal consumed at an electric power plant produces about 2,000 kilowatthours (2 MW) of electricity. 2,000 pounds of coal, 2,000 kWhs; we'll say burning one pound of coal yields one kWh. At these numbers, the turbines at Highmore prevent burning 40.5 tons of coal for every hour of 30+ mph wind.
A 500 megawatt coal plant uses 2.2 billion gallons of water a year, for cooling and for steam production. At these numbers, each turbine at Highmore prevents the loss of 341 gallons of water for every hour of 30+ mph wind. More water for people, plants, and livestock in addition to cleaner air.
As a friend of mine would say: Hmmmm.
1 kW = 1.359 HP
1 Pound of Coal = 10,000 Btu
1 Kilowatthour of Electricity = 3,412 Btu
1 Gallon of Heating Oil = 139,000 Btu
1 Gallon of Propane = 91,000 Btu
1 Cubic Foot of Natural Gas = 1,021 Btu
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply by 1.31
To convert MPH to M/S divide MPH by 2.2
To convert M/S to MPH multiply M/S by 2.2
1 meter / second = 2.23 mph
1 meter squared = 10.764 feet squared
50 m = 164'; 1 m = 3.28 feet.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Less required backup; Innovations in power generation and delivery
On December 13, 2007 in an article titled Less Backup for Wind Power May Be Required, it describes why integrating wind power and "the grid" is being found as less and less of a "burden."
The varying nature of wind power means that it is harder to forecast than the fluctuations in electricity demand. Adding large quantities of wind power to power systems is therefore challenging. The results of a recent study coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland indicate the frequently stated claim of wind power requiring an equal amount of reserve power for backup is not correct.
In areas where wind power production is high during peak demand, wind power can replace other capacity by up to 40% of the installed wind power capacity.
The study showed
---------
But then reality brings us back to "the real world" with:
Wind power bills rising
"It costs more to be green; regular Xcel customers will pay less as natural gas prices drop," by Gargi Chakrabarty; December 13, 2007.
Xcel's voluntary wind power customers in Colorado will be hit with higher bills beginning next year. But regular customers will benefit from lower electric bills, according to Xcel filings with regulators late Tuesday.
[Until all of the costs of electricity generation- environmental, social, political, transportation, transmission, and management- are weighed in a cost/benefit "spread-sheet," value/ deficiencies will make wind and other alternative energies power an "also-ran."]
[Individuals must act; passivity is not an option!]
---------
Consolidated Power Producers, Inc.
is establishing Limited Liability Companies in South and North Dakota counties for local development of wind and other power co-generation systems in
Local focus, regional impact- CPPI delivers systems and services for citizens of the Dakotas so they can
Stream Energy is a Texas CREP (Competitive Retail Electric Providers) who buys energy from a variety of sources so that we can offer extremely competitive prices and services to its customers.
Entrepreneurship is one of the key building blocks of Stream Energy....
This strategy means that its customers are working with a partner, not merely shopping for price.
Stream Energy's management team delivers highly customized products, processes or, in some cases, special terms of service....
---------
[Use these innovative methods to profit from- rather than curse- every windy day.]
The varying nature of wind power means that it is harder to forecast than the fluctuations in electricity demand. Adding large quantities of wind power to power systems is therefore challenging. The results of a recent study coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland indicate the frequently stated claim of wind power requiring an equal amount of reserve power for backup is not correct.
In areas where wind power production is high during peak demand, wind power can replace other capacity by up to 40% of the installed wind power capacity.
The study showed
- that a substantial adjustment tolerance is already built into the power network in most countries and
- the impacts of wind power fluctuations can be further balanced through a variety of measures.
---------
But then reality brings us back to "the real world" with:
Wind power bills rising
"It costs more to be green; regular Xcel customers will pay less as natural gas prices drop," by Gargi Chakrabarty; December 13, 2007.
Xcel's voluntary wind power customers in Colorado will be hit with higher bills beginning next year. But regular customers will benefit from lower electric bills, according to Xcel filings with regulators late Tuesday.
[Until all of the costs of electricity generation- environmental, social, political, transportation, transmission, and management- are weighed in a cost/benefit "spread-sheet," value/ deficiencies will make wind and other alternative energies power an "also-ran."]
[Individuals must act; passivity is not an option!]
---------
Consolidated Power Producers, Inc.
is establishing Limited Liability Companies in South and North Dakota counties for local development of wind and other power co-generation systems in
- generation or
- transmission.
- wind
- fuel cells
- microturbine
- solar
- biomass
- reciprocal engine
- fossil-fuel and
- methane-driven.
- North Dakota
- South Dakota and
- Minnesota.
- homeowners
- commercial and
- governments (local, county, state, and federal).
Local focus, regional impact- CPPI delivers systems and services for citizens of the Dakotas so they can
- have ownership of power generation and
- be a part of CPPI power and transmission developments in marketing power.
- Cimarron Light & Power Systems LLC (engineering and equipment)
- Cimarron Environmental Services (for energy industries)
- Cimarron Leasing & Financing and
- Jasco Electrical Services (construction & maintenance).
Stream Energy is a Texas CREP (Competitive Retail Electric Providers) who buys energy from a variety of sources so that we can offer extremely competitive prices and services to its customers.
Entrepreneurship is one of the key building blocks of Stream Energy....
This strategy means that its customers are working with a partner, not merely shopping for price.
Stream Energy's management team delivers highly customized products, processes or, in some cases, special terms of service....
---------
[Use these innovative methods to profit from- rather than curse- every windy day.]
Monday, December 17, 2007
Power transmission and small generators
In response to my question "What can I do- as an individual- to get more power transmission-lines built?" Dale Osborn, Transmission Technical Director, Midwest ISO provided insight to accomplishing building more lines in a lengthy, "food for action" reply. The following paragraphs are excerpts from Mr. Osborn's reply.
"MISO must be fair and its processes have to be transparent. The response to your letter will be available publicly."
"As a generator developer you have first choice to add generation to a power system. There are rules for transmission (transmission defined to be 100 kV and above) to interconnect and deliver energy to loads using the transmission system. However he voltage of the interconnection is not the determining issue."
""If you can develop loads that would use wind generation more efficiently, then you should pursue a business plan to match the loads and generation in South Dakota . The inference is that there is a possibility for South Dakota and other states to have contracts to supply wind energy to supply the RPS mandate. Generator revenue would be provided by RPS; transmission service would have to be paid."
"Only a few individuals could justify this business opportunity. Most probably, a consortium of government, business and the RTO’s- MISO and PJM as an example- would be required. Don't assume that all parties will agree. " [No solution is "obvious" or even a "solution."]
[Every small generator must follow] "federal regulations that require the speed or frequency of a power system be regulated. This ensures that motors don't slow down and burn out if the frequency slips too low as well as proper opperation of clocks, which rely on an unchanging frequency or speed of the generators in the system."
"Constant speed or frequency also makes it possible to interconnect utilities and account for energy exchange between the utilities."
[Wind is variable and intermittant; a single wind turbine can't deliver constant speed or frequency. Pervasive Dispersed Generation may be able to deliver constant speed or frequency.]
Rule
"Transmission Access can be purchased if it is available from MISO. If the transmission is not available and an entity wishes to pay for the transmission upgrades possible, then transmission can be made available."
"Transmission, as well as generation, has to have a source of revenue to pay for it; loads are the source of revenue for both generation and transmission. The micro approach is limited by the limited load in South Dakota. The market is limited as addressed below, but you should pursue the micro avenue if you can justify the business case to do so."
"The price of satisfying the wind mandate in the eastern states would have to be able to pay for the transmission. MISO states would probably not be willing to pay for the transmission to serve the wind mandates of the eastern states."
"The Minnesota Wind Integration Study and other studies in New York and California have shown that the value of wind energy is increased when wind resources are blended together over a large area with an adequate transmission system."
"If there is not an identifiable method to pay for the transmission, the states [their PUCs] would probably not allow the transmission revenue to be obtained from state customers who do not have a requirement for the generation."
"One constraint to the magnitude of wind generation development is the ability of other generation to regulate the system."
A later post will tell about MISO's situation for regulating the quality of wind power as it ensures the power is "always on."
Get in the Queue!
"MISO must be fair and its processes have to be transparent. The response to your letter will be available publicly."
"As a generator developer you have first choice to add generation to a power system. There are rules for transmission (transmission defined to be 100 kV and above) to interconnect and deliver energy to loads using the transmission system. However he voltage of the interconnection is not the determining issue."
""If you can develop loads that would use wind generation more efficiently, then you should pursue a business plan to match the loads and generation in South Dakota . The inference is that there is a possibility for South Dakota and other states to have contracts to supply wind energy to supply the RPS mandate. Generator revenue would be provided by RPS; transmission service would have to be paid."
"Only a few individuals could justify this business opportunity. Most probably, a consortium of government, business and the RTO’s- MISO and PJM as an example- would be required. Don't assume that all parties will agree. " [No solution is "obvious" or even a "solution."]
[Every small generator must follow] "federal regulations that require the speed or frequency of a power system be regulated. This ensures that motors don't slow down and burn out if the frequency slips too low as well as proper opperation of clocks, which rely on an unchanging frequency or speed of the generators in the system."
"Constant speed or frequency also makes it possible to interconnect utilities and account for energy exchange between the utilities."
[Wind is variable and intermittant; a single wind turbine can't deliver constant speed or frequency. Pervasive Dispersed Generation may be able to deliver constant speed or frequency.]
Rule
"Transmission Access can be purchased if it is available from MISO. If the transmission is not available and an entity wishes to pay for the transmission upgrades possible, then transmission can be made available."
"Transmission, as well as generation, has to have a source of revenue to pay for it; loads are the source of revenue for both generation and transmission. The micro approach is limited by the limited load in South Dakota. The market is limited as addressed below, but you should pursue the micro avenue if you can justify the business case to do so."
"The price of satisfying the wind mandate in the eastern states would have to be able to pay for the transmission. MISO states would probably not be willing to pay for the transmission to serve the wind mandates of the eastern states."
"The Minnesota Wind Integration Study and other studies in New York and California have shown that the value of wind energy is increased when wind resources are blended together over a large area with an adequate transmission system."
"If there is not an identifiable method to pay for the transmission, the states [their PUCs] would probably not allow the transmission revenue to be obtained from state customers who do not have a requirement for the generation."
"One constraint to the magnitude of wind generation development is the ability of other generation to regulate the system."
A later post will tell about MISO's situation for regulating the quality of wind power as it ensures the power is "always on."
Get in the Queue!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Saudis keeping more oil home
"Saudi Industrial Drive Strains Oil-Export Role," by Neil King Jr.; The Wall Street Journal; 12 Dec 07; pA1, A17
Saudi Arabia wants to become a big exporter of chemicals, fertilizers, aluminum, and plastics.
Industrial developments will consume large quantities of Saudi oil that otherwise would be bought by other countries
Increased consumption by Middle Eastern countries by their industrial development efforts comes at a time when oil production is slumping in North Seas fields and in Mexico.
Saudis are burning crude oil to make electricity for aluminum and copper smelting and other industries
p A17
Industrial development is fast-paced in many Middle Eastern countries; per capita oil consumption in Saudi Arabia is 32 barrels; per capita oil consumption in the U.S. is 25 barrels @$94.39.
At the futures price for a bushel of soybeans, 8 bu. pay for 1 barrel; at the futures price for a bushel of corn, almost 22 bu. pay for 1 barrel.
At that conumption by Saudis, the U.S. Dept. of Energy estimates 1/3 of Saudi oil will be for its industrial growth by 2020
Bringing fresh batches of oil to market is increasingly difficult for all nations
Saudi royal mandate: use oil in electricity production plants; 2 cents per kWh or less
By 2012, 60% of Saudi power plants will be burning crude oil
Nuclear power is definitely in the power plant future for the Saudis
Four new "economic cities," each have a 3,000 MW power plant, are being built as homes for petrochemical, smelting, fertilizers, and chemicals production
Energy-intensive industrial development is being done because "this is where the energy is."
[Is this good or bad for the wind industry? The strategy looks like OPEC but adding monopolies of
We have a tremendous potential farm energy production industry here in South Dakota and elsewhere, but transforming that potential into energy self-sufficiency will demand teamwork.
Revisiting Jurassic Park: "Hold onto your butts."]
Saudi Arabia wants to become a big exporter of chemicals, fertilizers, aluminum, and plastics.
Industrial developments will consume large quantities of Saudi oil that otherwise would be bought by other countries
Increased consumption by Middle Eastern countries by their industrial development efforts comes at a time when oil production is slumping in North Seas fields and in Mexico.
Saudis are burning crude oil to make electricity for aluminum and copper smelting and other industries
p A17
Industrial development is fast-paced in many Middle Eastern countries; per capita oil consumption in Saudi Arabia is 32 barrels; per capita oil consumption in the U.S. is 25 barrels @$94.39.
At the futures price for a bushel of soybeans, 8 bu. pay for 1 barrel; at the futures price for a bushel of corn, almost 22 bu. pay for 1 barrel.
At that conumption by Saudis, the U.S. Dept. of Energy estimates 1/3 of Saudi oil will be for its industrial growth by 2020
Bringing fresh batches of oil to market is increasingly difficult for all nations
Saudi royal mandate: use oil in electricity production plants; 2 cents per kWh or less
By 2012, 60% of Saudi power plants will be burning crude oil
Nuclear power is definitely in the power plant future for the Saudis
Four new "economic cities," each have a 3,000 MW power plant, are being built as homes for petrochemical, smelting, fertilizers, and chemicals production
Energy-intensive industrial development is being done because "this is where the energy is."
[Is this good or bad for the wind industry? The strategy looks like OPEC but adding monopolies of
- fertilizer production & exporting
- petrochemicals production & exporting and
- aluminum and copper production & exporting.
We have a tremendous potential farm energy production industry here in South Dakota and elsewhere, but transforming that potential into energy self-sufficiency will demand teamwork.
Revisiting Jurassic Park: "Hold onto your butts."]
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