New Backup Power Generation Equipment

 by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer 

EcoMotors International of Allen Park has announced a joint venture with Generac Power Systems, Inc to develop the Opoc® engine for auxiliary power units, generators, and vehicle propulsion. The opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder internal combustion engine design combines the lower-emissions benefit of a 4-cycle engine, the simplicity of a 2-cycle engine, the higher power density of an opposed piston engine, and the most recent developments in computer and thermodynamics. Without the cylinder-head and valve-train components of conventional engines, the Opoc® engines are lighter, more efficient with high fuel economy, have fifty percent fewer parts than conventional engines, and have low noise and vibration. The two primary investors in the company are Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures, which is headed by Vinod Khosla, a founder of Sun Microsystems.

Distributed Energy Needs: Better Net Metering; Lower Standby Rates; and Self-Service Wheeling

by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer

One of the real opportunities for energy security and emission reductions is distributed energy. That hundreds, even thousands of smaller electric generating projects (solar, geothermal, wind, combined heat and power, cogeneration) could supply a large portion of the nation’s energy needs is no longer a pipedream. Although it may cut against a myriad of vested interests, having electricity produced locally (as local as a factory rooftop, a parking lot, or a farm-based biomass unit) would provide many benefits. Yet every week I deal with valid, real projects that are stymied by Michigan’s inadequate net metering program, unreasonably expensive utility standby rates, and lack of self service wheeling rights. The MPSC (and where necessary the legislature) needs to be aggressive in getting this situation corrected so that Michigan can partake in the many benefits of distributed energy. We need to get past the paradigm that taking load off the grid is bad and should be penalized. Unleash Michigan’s creativity and innovation. Let the wild rumpus begin

Focusing on Alternative Energy Storage Systems

by Bruce Goodman

I have increased my focus on Michigan’s efforts relating to batteries and electric vehicles. This reflects my growing awareness that Michigan’s fledgling lithium ion automotive battery R&D/manufacturing efforts will inevitably blossom into other types of energy opportunities. Right now many are thinking only about electric cars, charging stations and utility tariffs. We forget that this battery technology has already been in use for some time—think cell phones and computers. The R&D will shrink the size and increase the power (improved energy density) for electric vehicles and ultimately have wide-ranging impacts in the energy arena. Already there is talk of battery backup opportunities for wind turbines and solar generation. NASA and DOD are working on electric planes. Light-weight and compact batteries (the politically correct term is “advanced energy storage systems”) will find multiple applications in homes, businesses, and the electric grid. Advanced battery capital of the world? Go Michigan! Charge!!

Capturing Waste Heat to Produce Electricity

by Bruce Goodman

Pro Renewables of Portage, Michigan plans to make it possible for industry to use wasted energy to produce its own electricity. As the Midwest distributor of the 50 kW Green Machine produced by ElectraTherm Inc., the company will be selling and installing the equipment which can capture heat normally wasted in manufacturing and use that heat to create electricity. The ROI on the $150,000 to $200,000 equipment is anticipated to be five years or less (without applying any incentives).

Michigan Needs to Get Hip on Energy?

by Bruce Goodman

Earlier this month, I had total replacement surgery on my right hip. Nagging pains that started ten years ago gradually developed into stronger, sharper pains, causing me to walk off-kilter. I knew it was time for corrective action and thanks to my skilled surgeon, I now look forward to a future free of pain. Michigan’s alternative energy development efforts are kind of like that: we are off kilter and surgery is needed. Ever since 1978 and PURPA, standby tariffs in Michigan have taken the incentive out of self-generation projects that make economic sense. This “nagging pain” must be corrected by the MPSC before self-generation developers give up on Michigan. Adding to the pain is the refusal of the major utilities to use their purchasing power to attract an established wind turbine OEM to Michigan. Our legislature gave the utilities a gift of half the RPS action; the quid pro quo should have been to use that gift to bring an OEM to Michigan. Whether it is the MPSC, the Governor, or the legislature, someone needs to find the political will to make this happen, before the utility wind turbine orders are placed. Where is our political team of surgeons?

Discussions on Electricity Supply Reliability

by Bruce Goodman

Yesterday I was invited by Southwest Michigan First to make a presentation on Legal/Permitting Processes relating to the electric power industry.   It was interesting to have Consumers Energy and American Electric Power on the same panel discussing alternative energy options.  I know that for every independent power supplier contract they sign they are reducing their own chance to “build that capacity.”  And only when a utility is building is there a return on investment for the shareholders.  Nonetheless, they appear to be genuinely ready to buy third-party capacity.

There was a lively discussion on reliability and speculation on the future of electric rates.  I tried to focus the discussion on reserve margin and backup capacity issues, but that was a little too advanced for this stage of the discussion.  A few people wanted to talk about these issues, and the pros and cons of natural gas backing up wind energy (a la T. Boone Pickens), but the time constraints of the program prevented that.

Very interesting presentation on the Kalamazoo Valley Community College wind turbine technician program.