October 12–13, 2007, I attended the 2007 Florida Renewable Energy Expo whose focus was on conservation (energy and water) and alternative energy sources (biodiesel, ethanol, wind, solar cells, ocean, and solar heat). A net of 1000 people a day move to Florida every day. Floridian use 6.5 billion gallons of water per day. Many of the speakers spoke of the need to conserve versus building new power plants- especially coal with its high greenhouse gas emissions. If you're interested in reading the transcripts of the talks, see http://www.floridareexpo.org/presentation/.
For me, the solar cell business has a long way to go. One basic problem is that the cells are not very efficient or cost effect. A small one foot square solar cell section may cost manufacturers $3, whereas Intel or AMD could make processors with this same material that would sell for thousands of dollars. Second, most manufacturers are working with old technology; only one manufacturer was showing second generation solar cells. But even these are expensive and are not significantly improved. Of course, one of the glaring problems, which was not mentioned, is that the federal government did not and is still not adequately supporting basic research that would make this technology cheaper and more widespread/
Another problem with the adopting of these technologies is the economics of Florida's rebate program for solar, thermal, and others. Many Floridians are not aware of the these programs. Others find themselves wanting to take advantage of the programs but can't afford the upfront costs. One great solution which is now being put in place is to have loans through either lending organizations or the power companies themselves to spread out the costs over a 15 year or 30 year pay period.
Gatherings such as these are invaluable. They provide basic information, new plans being put in place, new initiatives, and future goals. They let government, business, activist, and consumers intermingle and share ideas. One such example was my meeting Steve Urse, President- Unitarian-Universalist Church of Tallahassee (UUCT) and an active member of their green sanctuary committee. The UUCT invested in a 10 kWh solar cell system.
On Friday, the turnout of those who paid $75 entrance fee was substantial. The next day, Saturday, included some workshops and exhibits by manufacturers. Attendance was low for the general public, and it was free. Unfortunately, the general public seemed to be confused whether Saturday would be free.
Synopsis of talks I attended...
Oct 12: Tommy Burroughs from the Florida Energy Commission spoke on Florida developing an affordable, reliable, and green future, emphasizing the green future of meeting the challenge of Global Warming while eliminating America's dependence on foreign oil. Tommy said government can mandate conservation, efficiency standards, regulatory measures, cafe standards, and grants (research, tax incentives, rebates). After the oil crises in the 1970s, America dropped its efforts to pursue alternative energy whereas Europe and Japan never stopped.
Loni Bell (OUC President) spoke about low interest loans for solar. Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty spoke of his plan to to lower CO2 emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2020. They are now working up a plan by January to meet these levels. These efforts are all part of ICLEI's (iclei.org) basic 5 point plan- baseline, target, action plan, implementation, and measure. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Buddy in signing the Green Partnership Pledge.
Jay Levenstein (deputy commissioner of agriculture) spoke of agriculture matters. For example, after the timber industry clears a forest, 25% of the stuff is left, or five billion tons, or 770 MW, or one billion gallons of fuel. The site, www.25x25.org is dedicated to the goal: By 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed and fiber. Cellulose is ten times more efficient than corn at producing ethanol. Waste citrus peel can provide sixty to seventy million gallons of ethanol per year. Concerning biodiesel: Algae can produce 5,000 gallons per acre. Soybean produces 60 gallons per acre. Jatropha produces 1,000 gallons per acre. RET October 26 closing- floridafarmtofuel.com.
Danny Parker from Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) said that power use from a home exceeds that of a car, with an average of 17,130 kWh's which is divided up into an average power drain for other (computers, big screen TVs, etc., 34%), A/C (33%), DHW (13%), pool (7%), heat (7%), dryer (5%). (Actually, pool power use is much higher for those that have one.) If you buy a flat screen TV buy an LCD over a Plasma for lower power use. Danny worked on the first Zero Energy Home (ZEH) in Florida using different materials but the same design in the same neighborhood and orientation. The ZEH used 80% less A/C and 90% less electricity.
Maylen Dominguez presented a showcase home in downtown Orlando. The house uses a cistern to collect 95% of all water falling on the property. It used a flexi-pave driveway and pre-cast concrete that took seven days to build. Artificial grass, planters, and 2.4 kWh solar panels results in a 73% more efficient home.
Christina Webb of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) stressed their five key areas: innovation & design process, site planning, indoor environment quality, water management, material use. LEED (third party certified)- silver, gold, platinum. A new LEED ND is making a huge push to eliminate mold, reduce asthma, improve air quality. Ms. Webb displayed a chart showing that next generation buyers: 89% choose brands associated with social causes, 74% listen to brands associated with social causes, 69% shop for brands associated with social causes, 66% recommend brands connected with social causes.
Mike Houston of the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC – floridagreenbuilding.org), a non-profit, spoke on their system, which while similar to USGBC is tailored specifically for Florida. They use a point system with independent 3rd parties to verify results and to provide consumer protection.
David Schroeders is a builder in West Florida who discussed their efforts to build green homes.
Jeff Prather (Environmental Administrator- Florida Department of Environmental Protection) spoke of their green lodging program (floridagreenlodging.com) were commercial companies must meet minimal environmental efforts, including better air quality, recycling, lower power use etc. (It makes sense to stay at one of these lodges when traveling.)
Kevin Lynn (DOE- Solar America Initiative) is working to get solar energy at the same price as commercial electricity by 2015. One of the barriers to this are local governments which can impede development. Another problem area is local homeowner associations which attempt to restrict high technologies because they look different. National standards and laws will help mitigate some of these barriers to progress. A good site is irecusa.org- an organization dedicated to moving renewable energy resources into the marketplace.
Dr. Penelope Canan (UCF Sociology Professor) spoke about the students asking for more information/programs for understanding Global Warming. One group they are working with is Focus the Nation (info@ftncf.org). Also, UCF has a January 31, 2008 exhibit.
Peter DeNapoli (SolarWorld- a producer of solar panels) spoke of the difficulty of getting new solar cells and how a large company has entered this field to significantly boost solar cell output. Peter emphasized that net metering was needed, where utilities offered time of use money for the power returned to the grid. Solar industry needs tax incentives. Peter suggested we join FLASEIA and FREA.
Oct 13: Mike Dobson of Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association (FREPA) spoke about Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) which the individual states can require by a certain date, the energy producers must have say 20% of their power in renewables by say 2015. Two sites worth looking at include: http://www.awea.org/legislative/pdf/State_RPS_Fact_Sheet_UPdated.pdf and http://floridaenergyproducers.com/.
Jennifer Szaro (OUC) talked about OUC's efforts such as their use of 120,000 gallons of B-20 (biodiesel fuel), hybrid vehicles, their light bulb fundraiser, Gold Ring Programs. Every degree a thermostat is set over 78 degrees results in a 6 to 8 percent savings. Jennifer discussed some of their rebates, including programs geared for low income families. One of her recommendations included dsireusa.org, which is a database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency.