Join Interstate Renewable Energy Council for a detailed preview of our first 2019 regulatory resource: Making the Grid Smarter: State Primer on Adopting the IEEE 1547™-2018 Standard for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This report will provide an explanation of the major revisions in the updated national standard for interconnection of DERs, including a synopsis of some of the issues that states will need to consider as they work through adoption from its menu of options.
IEEE Std 1547™ 2018 will have an impact on DER developers, installers, manufacturers, customers and utilities. In addition, state utility regulators will play an important role in ensuring that all stakeholders’ interests are balanced, with the overall goal of increasing the safety, security, resilience and reliability of the grid.
Specifically, the standard requires DERs to provide capabilities for grid supportive functionalities, including voltage and frequency ride-through, voltage and frequency regulation, as well as communications and control functionality.
When utilized, these capabilities can help increase the amount of DERs that can be accommodated on the grid, improve power quality for all customers, and ensure that DERs can continue to be a reliable and optimized grid resource as penetration increases.
Presenters
Brian Lydic: As Regulatory Engineer for IREC, Brian is a member of UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 working groups, helping to improve the grid integration of PV systems. Brian is a founding member and chair of the Forum on Inverter Grid Integration Issues (FIGII), an ad-hoc consortium of PV experts that seeks to address emerging high penetration issues through research and standardization.
Sara Baldwin Auck: As Director of IREC’s Regulatory Program, Sara Baldwin Auck develops and oversees IREC’s national regulatory engagement strategy on distributed energy resource policies, in coordination with IREC’s regulatory team.
ABOUT IREC
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council is an independent national not-for-profit organization that envisions a world powered by clean sustainable energy, where society’s interests are valued and protected. Since 1982, IREC has increased access to sustainable energy and energy efficiency through independent fact-based policy leadership, quality workforce development and consumer empowerment. Our work in nearly every state has built a strong foundation of state and national clean energy policies and best practices, and quality workforce training standards and programs. www.irecusa.org
The Union of Concerned Scientists invite you to attend this one-hour webinar.
A recent UCS report found that even today, fossil fuel companies continue to spread climate disinformation and fund third-party industry groups to lobby for anti-climate policies. While some companies have taken steps to distance themselves from anti-climate messages, it’s not enough.
Please register for the webinar and join UCS for a closer look at how putting pressure on fossil fuel companies can be a part of climate solutions, and how you can get involved.
In 2017, Sol Systems and GenPro partnered with the City of Lexington to develop, finance, and construct a 3.9 MW solar farm. The array produces enough energy to power 700 homes each year. By locking into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the City of Lexington will have 25 years of price certainty against volatile wholesale electricity rates.
Additional GenPro solar development in Nebraska includes community projects in Gothenburg, Aurora, Central City, and Fremont (two solar farms). Anna and Jeff will discuss these and other solar projects, as well as how to successfully develop your own. A Q&A will follow their presentations.
About the Speakers
Anna Noucas, Project Development Manager, Customer Energy Services. Anna leads Sol Systems’ origination efforts in a variety of markets, where she works to source, provide diligence, and develop commercial and small utility-scale solar projects for customers. Before she joined Sol Systems, she worked for U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) in Washington, D.C. During her time in the Senator’s office, she worked directly with Senator Snowe’s Senior Advisor on Energy/Environmental Policy. Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College with a double major in Government and Legal Studies and Environmental Studies.
Jeff Berggren has worked in the renewable energy field since 2008 when he founded Husker Wind Power. With his construction and agricultural background, Jeff has managed multi-million-dollar energy efficiency projects for counties, school districts, and municipalities across Nebraska while working as Project Manager for a large-scale Energy Service Organization. Jeff currently manages GenPro Energy Solutions projects in Nebraska from their office in Central City, Nebraska. He oversees the turnkey development of projects from design through construction and commissioning.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hastings College, and an MBA from Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, Oregon. His MBA included concentrations in Renewable Energy and Sustainability. Jeff is a Nebraska native and a lifelong Husker fan. He also is on Nebraskans for Solar’s board.
GenPro has served the Nebraska market since 2007 and recently expanded their offices and warehouse to Central City, Nebraska. GenPro was founded in 2003 in Rapid City, South Dakota. www.genproenergy.com
Sol Systems is a national solar energy finance, investment, and development firm that delivers customized services for municipal, utility, institutional, and corporate clients. The business has developed and/or financed over 700 MW of solar projects for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, utilities, universities, and banks across 13 states. Sol Systems now manages over $650 million in solar energy assets. The firm has been listed among Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies for five years. www.solsystems.com
Please join us for this event, which is open to the public. Refreshments provided. We’ll also hold a book drawing. If you have a book on solar energy you’ve finished reading and would like to include it in the drawing, please bring it!
Are wind or solar energy in your future? The possibility of generating power with your own solar panels or a wind turbine is an interesting idea. Join Dawson Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District as they discuss the basics of owning renewable power generation and using it to offset energy usage at your home or business.
Topics will include sizing of equipment, safety concerns for owners and utility lineman, Nebraska’s net metering law and valuable tips on selecting a contractor. There is no fee for this class but preregistration is strongly advised.
CLASS CODE: 18/NC AVOR 5000 CK116
Location: CCC-Kearney, 1215 30th Avenue, Room 131
Instructors: Dawson Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District
Cost: Free
Contact:
For more information, contact Delilah Gillming at 308-338-4008 or delilahgillming@cccneb.edu. She also will take your registration if you prefer not to register online.
Nebraskans for Solar Event
Co-Sponsored by Allied Groups
Presenters
Terry Wittler & Jeff Buhrman, Capitol Beach LLC
Michael Shonka, Solar Heat & Electric
Click here to view a Google Earth image of the solar project.
When Capitol Beach homeowners Terry Wittler and Jeff Buhrman in Lincoln came up with the idea of building a 50-kilowatt community solar project on a lot owned by their neighborhood association, they soon learned it wasn’t going to be a simple undertaking.
The Capitol Beach neighborhood is located ten minutes from downtown Lincoln. Year-round and weekend-getaway residences surround a beautiful private lake, actively
managed by the Capitol Beach Community Association. The Saline Wetlands Park lies
adjacent to the lake, with nature trails open to the public.
Michael Shonka, owner of Solar Heat and Electric, with thirty years of experience in the
solar energy field, and Lincoln Electric System collaborated with the homeowners to
develop the community solar facility, the first of its kind in Nebraska and a showcase
model for other neighborhoods and utilities.
In pioneering a new community solar model for the state, the group encountered several hurdles. For example, there was no provision in city zoning codes for building mid-size
solar projects in residential areas. The presenters will discuss these challenges and how they addressed each one. Their lessons learned provide a model for anyone interested in proposing the same idea to other Power Districts.
A Q&A will follow their presentation. All our events are open to the public. Please join us!
Co-Sponsored by Green Bellevue, Nebraska Sierra Club, and
OTOC’s Environmental Sustainability Action Team
Our speaker will be Courtney Kennedy, OPPD’s Alternative Energy Program Manager, who will lead a discussion and Q&A on OPPD’s Community Solar Program and how customers will be able to participate.
Some Background Information:
At the OPPD Board of Director’s June 7, 2018 meeting, the board received an update on the project, including size and location. OPPD awarded a 20-year power purchase agreement to a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, to build a 5-megawatt solar facility in Fort Calhoun. The OPPD facility will be built east of Fort Calhoun in Washington County, covering approximately 35 acres. Per contract terms, the facility will go into operation by June 30, 2019. – Source: Here comes the sun, OPPD’s The Wire
Complete details will be posted soon. Please save the date and plan to join us! The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett seeks applications for loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects.
The spring deadline to apply for grants is April 1, 2019. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round.
REAP helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption by purchasing and installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements in their operations. Read the entire release here.
Who may apply?
Small businesses in eligible rural areas and agricultural producers, both rural and non-rural, who have at least 50% of their gross income coming from agricultural operations, may apply.
REAP grants provide up to 25% of the total project costs, and a grant and loan combination up to 75%. Eligible projects include renewable energy systems and the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements.
See REAP Fact Sheet for a complete list of eligible projects.
Nebraska REAP Program
Contact: Jeff Carpenter, Nebraska Rural Development Energy Coordinator
Telephone: 402-437-5554
Email: Jeff.Carpenter@ne.usda.gov
INCENTIVES
Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems and small wind turbines: 30% through 2018 and 2019. Small wind: 100 kilowatts or less. Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
Lincoln Electric System’s Solar Incentive
NOTE: Qualified REAP applicants include urban as well as rural food producers.
LES offers customers a one-time capacity payment of up to $1,000 per kilowatt of peak demand reduced. The total amount customers can receive is determined by the primary direction the system is facing, for example:
- Southern facing fixed-photovoltaic solar – the unit’s nameplate DC capacity (kW) x $375.
- Western facing or single or dual axis tracking fixed-photovoltaic solar – the unit’s nameplate DC capacity (kW) x $475.
Source: Customer-owned Renewable Generation
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Business Equipment Depreciation Resources
- Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS), Department of Energy
- New rules and limitations for depreciation and expensing under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, IRS
- Publication 946: How to Depreciate Property, IRS
SMALL & COMMUNITY WIND INFORMATION
American Wind Energy Association
Distributed Wind Energy Association
What is Distributed Wind Energy?
Distributed wind energy systems offer reliable electricity generation in a wide variety of global settings, including households, schools, farms and ranches, businesses, towns, communities and remote locations. Projects range for example from a 1-kilowatt (kW) or smaller off-grid wind turbine at a remote cabin or cell phone tower – to a 10-kW wind turbine at a home, small business, or small agricultural load – to several multi-megawatt (MW) wind turbines at a university campus, manufacturing facility or any large energy user.
What is Small Wind Energy?
Small wind is defined as wind turbines with a capacity rating of less than or equal to 100 kW. Turbines in this category range in size from smaller than 1 kW for off-grid applications to 100-kW turbines that can provide village power. Fifty-four small turbine models are offered commercially in the United States for applications including homes, schools, commercial and industrial facilities, telecommunications, farms and ranches, and communities.
DWEA (Distributed Wind Energy Association
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES
- Small Wind Guidebook, WINDExchange, Department of Energy
- Distributed Wind Case Studies
The Distributed Wind Installers’ Collaborative, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, has produced a series of case studies showcasing the many facets and opportunities within the distributed wind industry. The first published case studies feature projects located on a dairy farm, at a net zero home, a recycling facility and a rural cooperative.
100 Ways To Build A Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and
Still Get A Good Night’s Rest
“Relax,” writes author Mary DeMocker, “this isn’t another light bulb list. It’s not another overwhelming pile of parental ‘to dos’ designed to shrink your family’s carbon footprint through eco-superheroism.” Instead, DeMocker lays out a lively, empowering, and doable blueprint for engaging families in the urgent endeavor of climate revolution.
In this book’s brief, action-packed chapters, you’ll learn hundreds of wide-ranging ideas for being part of the revolution — from embracing simplicity parenting, to freeing yourself from dead-end science debates, to teaching kids about the power of creative protest, to changing your lifestyle in ways that deepen family bonds, improve moods, and reduce your impact on the Earth.
Engaging and creative, this resource is for everyone who wants to act effectively — and empower children to do the same. New World Library
Mary DeMocker is cofounder of 350.org’s Eugene, Oregon chapter. Her work has been featured in Yale Climate Connections and recommended in a New York Times article. She has written about conscious parenting and climate advocacy for the Sun, Common Dreams, Mothering.com, Spirituality & Health, and the Oregonian. She lives with her family in Eugene, Oregon.
This event includes free copies of the book to first 100 attendees, thanks to
a generous contribution to Nebraska Solar Schools, an NFS Program.
RSVP & Parking Permit Required: To rsvp and request a copy of the book, email Helen Deffenbacher: nebraskansforsolar@gmail.com. She will reserve a book for you, one per individual or couple, and email you a parking permit to print and display on your dash.