solar squirrel

So - this post has nothing to do with running, biking, swimming, or reef tanks.  [Stop reading now if you are bored by renewable energy or discussion of the legalities behind renewable energy credits].  This post does describe something that is funny that happened with First Energy (NYSE: FE).  Read on if you want to hear about something that they just recently did that was countered and finally withdrawn.

As part of my job I’m responsible for filing applications with the state of Ohio for getting the renewable energy projects that my company develops certified as renewable energy resource generating facilities.  (The name of the application I fill out is ‘Application for Certification as an Eligible Ohio Renewable Energy Resource Generating Facility’).  The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has an electronic-based system where you can file these applications online using their docketing system.  The system is sort-of bureaucratic, but for the most part quite efficient and the people who I’ve spoken with are very nice and incredibly helpful.

As a way to stay on top of the applications, I opted to receive a daily email that summarizes the activities for the day.  So, every day at around 5pm I receive an automated email which summarizes the days events and the different items that have been submitted to the PUCO online system.  I only elected to receive info on the renewable energy projects (REN).  Typically there will be new application filings, affidavit filings, updates, and finally the granting of the certification by PUCO.  Boring stuff, I know, but it’s good to know what’s going on and I like to see the different types of renewable energy projects that are being applied for.  It’s not just solar pv and wind, but also things like biomass (i.e. gas from a landfill), fuel cells, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.

Recently an application was submitted by First Energy for a Biomass facility.  Wow! I thought - way cool - I hadn’t seen any biomass applications so I opened up the application and checked it out.  Generally you are required to include pictures so I wanted to see what it looked like.  (I was hoping for a biodigestor or something of that nature).  Well wasn’t I surprised when this was the photo enclosed in the application:

Wait a minute - that sure looks like a coal-fired power plant to me… Upon reading the application further, I realized that the photo is indeed a coal powerplant.  It’s located in Oregon, OH.  It’s called the Bayshore Plant.

First Energy was trying to apply for certification as a renewable resource generating facility by claiming that they were using biomass along with the coal for use in this plant.  OK, fine, but after reading a bit more I also realized that they were only going to be utilizing a very small percentage (0-5%) of the fuel as biomass, and on top of that, who knows the source of the biofuel, how it’s collected, etc.

What if the source of the wood in the birquette is from half way across the world from trees that were better off not being chopped down?

Interestingly enough, I am not the only one who had these questions.  Several organizations, including the Ohio Environmental Council had the same questions and concerns and filed with PUCO to intervene.

Today my usual daily summary email arrived shortly after 5pm, and wouldn’t you know it - First Energy withdrew their application!  I was so surprised!  I wonder why they withdrew…maybe it was just not worth it for them to go through the process of documenting the details of the sources of the so-called ‘biofuel’ that they were going to be using in collaboration with the coal?  Who knows - but this is good news for all of us who are actually working to get REAL renewable energy working in Ohio.  And by real I don’t mean saying that your facility is a renewable energy facility if it has a small fraction of it’s power coming from something that may or may not actually be considered biomass.

I have been waiting and waiting for someone to come up with an entire gym concept that encompasses sustainability, conservation, and reuse. I should have guessed that one would spring up in Portland, Oregon; the same place that has electric car dealerships. Check this place out - The Green Microgym. I’m sure you’ve always wondered what would happen if someone harnessed the electricity from your workout - at least I know I have - but I was discouraged to find out that the amt. of energy that I create is actually quite small - I sure feel like I’m generating a lot when I’m working out hard! But this gym actually has taken some really good ideas into action using solar to subsidize some of it’s energy and also using member’s art work on the walls. I’m most impressed with some of their equipment which I have never seen before. I love the idea of harnessing  kinetic energy, which I honestly feel EVERY gym should do - and it looks like this one is currently investigating it with the use of this company called ReRev. Why not use some of that energy created by all the jumping around during an aerobics class? I know there is a dance club in Rotterdam that uses the same idea from dancers on the dance floor…I am definitely going the next time I am in the Netherlands for more than 48 hours.

I haven’t posted for a while…I’ve had pain in my left knee for a week (started last Sat.). I ran about 15 miles yesterday with Elizabeth and Janet at an easy pace and it felt pretty good during the run, (after taking 4 days off) but after my knee pain is now back. I think it’s ITB, which both Elizabeth and Janet have had in the past. Todd told me not to run AT ALL, because I need to let it heal. I think he’s right, but at the same time I don’t want to loose the fitness-level that I’ve achieved so far. So I don’t know what I’m going to do. I need to get in to see someone ASAP and make sure what I have is ITB-related and go from there. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Tidal Turbine installed in Strangford Laugh (N. Ireland)

Check this out - Northern Ireland is home to the first ever mega-watt scale tidal turbine. Maybe this can be my excuse to go on vacation to Ireland again. It is one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been - green everywhere; clean air; fluffy sheep EVERYWHERE. What more could you ask for?