European renewable groups react to EU plan

Posted : Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:00:00 GMT
By : Energy News Editor
Category : Environment
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BRUSSELS, Jan. 11 Two of Europe's alternative energy groups say a European Union energy package is too broad and should address goals for specific sectors.

The European Renewable Energy Council and European Wind Energy Association reacted with concern to Wednesday's release of the European Union's Energy Package, saying it could hinder the growing success of non-polluting energy sources.

The (European) Commission has described a great destination but is at the same time risking demolishing the existing well-functioning vehicles to get there, while failing to suggest an alternative route, said Christian Kjaer, chief executive officer of EWEA. We risk ending up with a European renewable house on a foundation of sand.The new document, which doesn't have any legality but rather sets the tone for legislation in the near future, recommended full ownership unbundling of electricity and natural gas transmission and production. It also recommended appointing coordinators to oversee infrastructure in the electricity and gas sectors, including one for the connection of offshore wind power.

The Commission also called for endorsement of the 20 percent renewables by 2020 goal and a more rapid shift to low carbon emissions.

The EREC and EWEA, however, were dismayed with the lack of attention to sector-specific targets. Both groups said the overall target should be combined with individual targets for the heating and cooling, electricity and transport sectors. Original legislation passed in 1997 by the EU did include sector specific targets and the EREC said the new policy undermines that approach.



Copyright 2007 by UPI

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    Renewables for US
    By: Julie Boerst , Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:29:45 GMT

    Prediction: Renewables are going to explode in the US during the next 25 years. Our time has come.

    This is especially true because we don't need any special policy changes with the power of consumer demand behind us. There's a new way of getting solar energy by just paying the cost of your normal electric bill to a solar company who installs and maintains your panels, and I think this is key to getting panels on more and more and more roofs.

    More info here: www.jointhesolution.com/joinsolar


    MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R6
    By: Jay Draiman , Fri, 12 Jan 2007 01:21:42 GMT

    MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R6

    In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.
    "Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy." The American way of life is not negotiable.
    Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.

    The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption.

    The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy.

    In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.

    A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task.

    This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.


    Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant
    Northridge, CA. 91325
    1-11-2007

    P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
    I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
    The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.

    Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.

    Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 24 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?

    Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence.

    Installing renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage.




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