Author Archives Laura Arnold

Munster will tap landfill gases to produce electricity; Will project use NIPSCO’s proposed feed-in tariff pending IURC approval?

Editor's Note: We assume that the Town of Munster hopes to sell the electricity from this landfill to methane project to NIPSCO under their soon to be approved feed-in tariff program currently awaiting approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA) was a party to the Settlement Agreement reached with NIPSCO. A Joint proposed order supporting the Settlement Agreement was filed May 13, 2011. The IURC agenda for this week's conference scheduled for Wednesday, June 29 at 2:00 pm does not list the NIPSCO order in Cause No. 43922. Maybe next week? Keep reading and watching this blog for details! Laura Ann Arnold

Original story: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/munster/article_48acb866-2601-5965-8b14-ede408ff122b.html

By Lu Ann Franklin, Times Correspondent | Posted: Monday, June 27, 2011 10:30 am

MUNSTER | Two projects to collect the methane gas emitted by the former landfill along Calumet Avenue and turn it into electricity will begin this summer at Centennial Park.

The first phase of the project will modify the current gas wells that collect the methane and other gases produced by the decomposition of landfill material. This includes repairs to the gas vault and collection system on the north end of the park.

The Munster Town Council awarded work for the well modification to Olthoff Inc. of Chicago Heights for a bid of nearly $194,000. An industrial/commercial contractor, Olthoff is not related to the local residential construction company, said Tom DeGiulio, Munster town manager.

The second phase of the $3.4 million project will be constructed by Energy Systems Group of Newburgh, Ind., to more efficiently collect the gas to power a new turbine. The turbine produces electricity that will be sold to NIPSCO.

Expected to be completed next spring, the project includes moving the flare south, building housing for the turbines and putting up screening to shield the mechanics.

Munster has been operating turbines that convert the gas to electricity for several years, but they are not efficient and are beginning to need repairs, Town Engineer James Mandon said.

This larger turbine project will generate more electricity.

Munster will operate the new system, half of which is being funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

Tax increment financing district money will float a loan for Munster's half of the cost until NIPSCO revenues start to arrive.

"Conservative estimates are that the gas will last 17 to 19 more years," DeGiulio said. "We're anticipating that it will last more than 25 years."

However, the odor produced by the decomposition still will linger, Mandon said, because it leaks from the landfill cells despite plastic liners that encapsulate the material.

Journal & Courier: Businesses urged to buy into Tippecanoe wind farm project

Posted by Laura Arnold / June 26, 2011 / Posted in Uncategorized / No Comments

by Max Showalter , Lafayette Journal & Courier, Thursday, June 23, 2011, www.jconline.com

The installation of wind turbines could start next April in northern Tippecanoe County as part of a project that combines electricity generation with research and tourism.

Nearly a dozen large energy users in Greater Lafayette got an update Wednesday on Purdue Energy Park, which is expected to generate 100 megawatts of power from 61 turbines placed on property owned by Purdue University and 19 adjacent landowners.

While negotiations continue with Indiana power companies to purchase the output of the turbines, plans also are being made to build a research and development and welcome and innovation center on the site.

"This is a first in the country, taking 100 megawatts of wind and combining it with a research facility," said Scott Zigmond, vice president of sales and marketing with Performance Services, which will own and operate the facility.

"We plan on making this a destination for tourists and a place for kids to learn. This is unmatched when it comes to the research piece."

Creating approximately 200 construction jobs and long-term employment for about eight people, the wind farm is expected to be operational by Dec. 31, 2012.

A portion of it will be on 1,600 acres that encompass Purdue's Animal Science Research and Education Center west of county roads 600 North and 450 West.

Zigmond urged his audience to contact their energy suppliers to urge them to buy into Purdue Energy Park.

"We would like four or five (energy) companies to take 25 or 30 megawatts each," Zigmond said. "If Indiana utility companies are not on board, we'll go outside the state. We don't want to do that, but we need to get this project up and going.

"We have excellent transmission capability locally. We have all our wind assessments completed. We're ready to go. It's just a matter of selling (electricity) to someone."

Jody Hamilton, director of economic development with Greater Lafayette Commerce, said she and others in the organization have been working with the Carmel-based company on the alternative energy proposal.

"Performance Services came to us as a first stop," Hamilton said. "We got the county commissioners involved and the mayors involved to make this a really great project."

For wind research purposes, two of the 61 turbines planned for the wind farm will be larger and have the capacity to generate 2.75 megawatts.

Sound and flicker effects of wind turbines could be studied, along with learning how turbines impact agriculture.

"We believe this is a win, just because of the research," said Gregory Napier, assistant director of real estate and physical facilities with the Purdue Research Foundation. "There are research dollars available -- $20 (million) to $30 million annually to be had. Seven jobs are created for every million dollars of research, at a minimum. We believe we have a great relationship with utilities.

"The educational opportunities, the community benefits, the welcome and innovation center. It will be good for our local economy."

Performance Services, Inc. is a member of Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates.

InsideINdianaBusiness: Indiana Lands 500 Solar Jobs; Solar Inverter Manufacturer Fronius USA LLC to Move to Portage, IN

Posted by Laura Arnold / June 26, 2011 / Posted in Uncategorized / 1 Comments

Editor's Note: Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates would like to extend a warm welcome to Fronius USA, LLC.

So you may be asking, what is a solar inverter? Wikipedia states: A solar inverter or PV inverter is a critical component in a solar energy system. It performs the conversion of the variable DC output of the Photovoltaic (PV) modules into a utility freqeuncy AC current that can be fed into the commercial electrical grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical network. For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_inverter

Laura Ann Arnold

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

Northwest Indiana Forum President Mark Maassel says the Fronius announcement is a reflection of Indiana's pro-business climate.

Economic development officials say a decision by a solar company to move its North American headquarters from Michigan to Portage amounts to the biggest jobs announcement so far this year in northwest Indiana. Fronius USA LLC says it plans to create up to 512 jobs in Portage by 2016. The company produces solar inverters. The deal marks the 1,000th new business establishment or expansion completed by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation since it launched in 2005.

June 23, 2011

News Release

PORTAGE, Ind. – Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from Fronius USA, LLC, the fourth-largest solar inverter producer in the world, today to announce that the company will relocate its North American headquarters here from Michigan, creating up to 512 new jobs by 2016.

The Austrian company will invest more than $26.64 million to lease and equip 400,000 square-feet of space in Portage to assemble and manufacture its products for the North American market. Through this new facility, Fronius plans to develop its current manufacturing capacities to meet the global demand for solar electronic inverters and welding technology.

“We’re excited to bring new jobs anywhere in Indiana, but we’re particularly excited Fronius has chosen northwest Indiana,” said Daniels. “Fronius is well-established, fast-growing and at the top of their field, exactly the kind of company we’ve rebuilt the Indiana business climate to attract.”

Fronius’ relocation marks the 1,000th new business establishment or expansion the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the state’s lead economic development agency, has completed since its inception in 2005.

Established in Brighton, Mich. in 2002, the family-owned, international company has been engaged in solar electronics since 1992, in particular the development and production of photovoltaic inverters for both grid-connected and independent power supplies.

“Indiana has a great business climate with a perfect infrastructure for us, including a good network of suppliers and skilled employees,” said Wolfgang Niedrist, managing director for U.S. sales at Fronius. “We can’t wait to get to know the people of Indiana even better as we move into the community.”

Fronius, which currently employs more than 4,200 employees globally, has already started hiring human resource and finance associates for its Portage headquarters. It plans to expand its procurement and production workforce to coincide with the completion of facility improvements next summer.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Fronius USA, LLC up to $4.25 million in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Portage will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Portage Redevelopment Commission and the Portage Economic Development Corporation.

“We have worked closely with IEDC and the company representatives for many months through the recruitment process. It has been this partnership and open communication that has proven successful in having Fronius choose to locate in the city of Portage,” said Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez. “We are extremely pleased to share the good news with our residents. Fronius will bring an entirely new high tech industry to Portage and northwestern Indiana. The skilled jobs created will keep our young people near home.”

Fronius’ establishment in Indiana comes on the heels of two recent announcements from companies also relocating to Indiana from Michigan. Earlier this month, Spartan Motors, Inc. announced its plans to relocate parts of its operations to Wakarusa from Michigan, creating up to 60 jobs by the second half of 2012. In May, Molded Foam, LLC announced its acquisition of a Michigan firm and intentions to relocate operations to Indiana, creating up to 45 jobs in Elkhart County by 2014.

About Fronius USA, LLC

Fronius USA, LLC is a world technology leader in the fields of battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics. Founded in 1945, Fronius has production sites in Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, plus 13 sales subsidiaries all over the world. This Austrian company owns 737 active patents and generated a total turnover of 499 million Euros in financial year 2010. For more information, visit www.fronius.com.

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation

IURC Approves IPL’s Second Feed-in Tariff Contract Under Rate REP With GSA Emmett Bean Solar PV Project 6/16/2011

Posted by Laura Arnold / June 21, 2011 / Posted in IPL Rate REP, Uncategorized / No Comments

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved only the second Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) feed-in tariff (FIT) under Rate REP since the three year pilot program became effective March 30, 2010.

The first Rate REP contract was last summer with the Time Factory for a 50 kW wind turbine.

See IPL 30 Day Filing_Rate REP_Time Factory_06.24.10[1]

The IURC order in Cause No. 43623 provides that all Rate REP contracts must be filed under the Commission's thirty (30) day filing procedure. The IURC 30-day filing No. 2856 was received on May 13, 2011.

The approved contract was for a Solar PV system with a nameplate capacity of 2.012 MW. The system was installed at the General Services Administration (GSA) Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center at 8899 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249.

The Rate REP contract was signed for GSA on 4/21/2011 by Shanta Maldonado, Contracting Officer, GSA and on 5/2/2011 by William H. Henley, VP Corporate Affairs, IPL.

IPL 30 Day Filing_ Rate REP_ GSA_2856_051311_approved 16June2011

The terms and conditions of IPL's Rate REP are the subject of a new case currently pending before the IURC in Cause No. 44018. Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA) is an intervenor is this proceeding and will be filing testimony by June 30, 2011. For more information on this new proceeding and the proposed changes to Rate REP, please contact Laura Arnold at (317) 635-1701 or laura.arnold@indianadg.org.

Manure to help fuel farm’s trucks; Dairy operation using technology to turn waste into natural gas

Posted by Laura Arnold / June 20, 2011 / Posted in Uncategorized / 1 Comments

Fair Oaks Farms will use manure from cows to power new dairy delivery trucks. A device will turn biogas into nearly pure methane and compress it to fuel the natural gas-powered vehicles. / ALAN PETERSIME / The Star 2006 file photo

original article: http://www.indystar.com/article/20110620/LOCAL/106200310/Dairy-operation-turning-waste-into-natural-gas?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|p

Written by Rick Callahan, Associated Press (AP)

12:24 AM, Jun. 20, 2011 | 15Comments

One of the nation's largest dairy cooperatives plans to tap a plentiful energy source -- manure from the farms' cows -- to power its fleet of milk-delivery trucks.

By early next year, Fair Oaks Farms in Northwest Indiana plans to have 42 new delivery trucks running on compressed natural gas created by harnessing microorganisms to turn the cows' manure into biogas.

Anaerobic digester technology uses bacteria to break down manure in the oxygen-free environment of closed buildings or covered lagoons, producing methane, carbon dioxide and trace gases. Fair Oaks Farms, a marketing cooperative of 10 farms housing about 35,000 cows owned by several families, already operates six digesters, which produce gas to run generators that provide electricity to the farms.

The new project supported by federal and state grants will take the technology further, upgrading one of those digesters to turn the biogas into nearly pure methane and compressing it to fuel new natural gas-powered trucks that will replace diesel-power models.

The new fleet will be capable of hauling more than 300,000 gallons of milk each day to processing centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

"The cows making the milk will be helping delivering it, too," said Mark Stoermann, project manager for Fair Oaks Farms.

To help extend the trucks' range between fill-ups, they will be outfitted with extra natural gas tanks purchased with a $2 million U.S. Department of Energy grant.

A separate $750,000 state grant will support construction of two fueling stations along I-65 -- one at Fair Oaks, about 70 miles south of Chicago, and one nearly 220 miles away in Sellersburg, near the state's southeast border with Kentucky. The Fair Oaks station will supply renewable gas derived from manure, while the Sellersburg station will deliver regular natural gas.

Stoermann said Fair Oaks expects to feed enough surplus renewable natural gas from its operations into a pipeline near the farms to more than compensate for the gas its trucks get in Sellersburg.

A handful of California dairy farms produce methane from manure and compress it for use in powering tractors, trucks and other machinery. But that equipment is used primarily on those farms, said Jerry Bingold, director of renewable energy at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, a dairy industry group founded in 2008.

Fair Oaks' broader plan appears to be a first for an American dairy, he said.

"They're actually moving from localized on-dairy use to really long-haul application, which is a significant move for the industry," Bingold said.

About 150 U.S. dairies use anaerobic digesters to process manure and produce power. Bingold said the industry hopes that by 2020, about 1,300 dairies will be using digesters to either generate electricity or make compressed methane.

While U.S. dairies are beginning to realize the potential of manure-to-methane technology, Bingold said, agricultural lending institutions still are being sold on the technology's potential, just as other renewable energy sources received slow acceptance.

"We're developing a business model around digester operations that's going to take lessons learned from the wind and the solar industry to really build this industry," Bingold said.

About 2,600 dairy farms and 5,500 hog farms are good candidates for the technology, according to the federal AgSTAR program, a partnership among the U.S. energy and agriculture departments and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that's promoting manure-to-methane technologies.

Those more than 8,000 farms have the potential to produce 13 million total megawatt hours of electricity each year, or enough to power about 870,000 households. Or, the same farms could instead produce about 150 billion cubic feet of renewable methane that would be enough to heat 3 million households, AgSTAR national program manager Chris Voell said.

The nation harnesses less than 2 percent of its potential for renewable methane, Voell said. But he said farms, restaurant chains and big food processors are slowly recognizing that the organic waste they send to landfills or otherwise discard can be turned into power to help their bottom lines.

"The energy policies in this country are in some cases still running to catch up with all of the opportunities out there," he said.