| SEES Programs and Activities: SEES is an educational professional energy society that meets six times a year to learn about regionally-relevant energy topics: energy production, conservation, and marketing; legislative & regulatory developments; new products, technology, and government programs. |
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| Photos courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov |
The primary purpose of the Southeastern Energy Society is to advocate and to promote a greater
awareness of competitive energy generation options and to provide a forum for discussion,
education and exploration of relevant industry issues.
awareness of competitive energy generation options and to provide a forum for discussion,
education and exploration of relevant industry issues.
| Southface Sustainable Atlanta Roundtables |
Southeastern Energy Society
Covering the Southeast from Atlanta
Covering the Southeast from Atlanta
Southface's Sustainable Atlanta Roundtables (SARs) are held the
Hall, 634 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308. To RSVP for
round- tables, call 404/872-3549 or register on-line.
For other Southface events, check the Southface calendar.
Hall, 634 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308. To RSVP for
round- tables, call 404/872-3549 or register on-line.
For other Southface events, check the Southface calendar.
| Energy Events |
To RSVP for meetings, please contact Alston and Bird (404) 881-7761,
fax (404) 253-8593 or e-mail janice.shaw@alston.com with your name, company and phone
number. Directions.
fax (404) 253-8593 or e-mail janice.shaw@alston.com with your name, company and phone
number. Directions.
| Fall, 2009 SEES Meetings |
| Energy News |
| Alston & Bird's Climate Change and Carbon Management Blog |
Alston & Bird's Climate Change and Carbon Management
team has launched a blog which focuses on rapidly
emerging issues associated with greenhouse gas
emissions.
team has launched a blog which focuses on rapidly
emerging issues associated with greenhouse gas
emissions.
Upcoming SEES Meetings
| Links |
| Missed any meetings & would like to get the presentation materials? Click here. Need professional development documentation? Click here. |
Dave and Mike Hartkop invented their first solar
roaster for roasting coffee beans in the summer of
2004. They built it in their parents' backyard using
mirrors, a broccoli steamer, and an old satellite dish.
Today, they use their newest custom-built machine,
which roasts at temperatures between 450 and 500
degrees Fahrenheit. This may well be the only carbon
neutral coffee roasting facility in the world.
roaster for roasting coffee beans in the summer of
2004. They built it in their parents' backyard using
mirrors, a broccoli steamer, and an old satellite dish.
Today, they use their newest custom-built machine,
which roasts at temperatures between 450 and 500
degrees Fahrenheit. This may well be the only carbon
neutral coffee roasting facility in the world.
Nearby parking lots.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, in conjunction
with the DOE, has released six maps that could help
determine the location of the next big push in solar
energy in the U.S. More . . .
with the DOE, has released six maps that could help
determine the location of the next big push in solar
energy in the U.S. More . . .
| U.S. Government maps solar energy future |
German firms interested in N. African solar project: a
consortium of 20 blue chip German firms may invest in
what would be the biggest ever solar energy initiative.
Known as Desertec, the project is estimated to cost
around €400. The project would develop solar power in
the deserts of north Africa and transport electricity to
Europe.
consortium of 20 blue chip German firms may invest in
what would be the biggest ever solar energy initiative.
Known as Desertec, the project is estimated to cost
around €400. The project would develop solar power in
the deserts of north Africa and transport electricity to
Europe.
Rick Burkhalter, Director of Utility, Municipal, and Retail Programs at Sterling Planet, Inc.,
provided “An update on Renewable Energy Certificates” at the October 19th SEES
meeting. Some questions which were addressed included:
* How is the economy effecting the environmental commitments of companies and private
citizens?
* What is the status of the climate bill and how might it impact renewable energy?
* What are the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the trading of renewable
energy certificates?
* What is the future for the trading of environmental attributes as commodities?
provided “An update on Renewable Energy Certificates” at the October 19th SEES
meeting. Some questions which were addressed included:
* How is the economy effecting the environmental commitments of companies and private
citizens?
* What is the status of the climate bill and how might it impact renewable energy?
* What are the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the trading of renewable
energy certificates?
* What is the future for the trading of environmental attributes as commodities?
The September 21st SEES meeting featured David R. Wentworth, founder, president, and
chairman of Renewable Solutions Group, LLC. Mr. Wentworth provided “An Update on the
Winder Renewable Methane Facility," focusing on the development of landfill gas to
pipeline-quality gas projects.
For over a decade, Mr. Wentworth’s career has been dedicated to the commercial and
technical development of landfill gas (LFG) projects, including LFG to electricity, LFG
cogeneration, and sales of medium-Btu and pipeline quality landfill-derived gas.
chairman of Renewable Solutions Group, LLC. Mr. Wentworth provided “An Update on the
Winder Renewable Methane Facility," focusing on the development of landfill gas to
pipeline-quality gas projects.
For over a decade, Mr. Wentworth’s career has been dedicated to the commercial and
technical development of landfill gas (LFG) projects, including LFG to electricity, LFG
cogeneration, and sales of medium-Btu and pipeline quality landfill-derived gas.
David S. Godfrey, State Utilities Program Manager at the Georgia Environmental Facilities
Authority, provided "An Update on Stimulus Projects in Georgia" at the November 16th
meeting.
Authority, provided "An Update on Stimulus Projects in Georgia" at the November 16th
meeting.
Georgia will receive $49.9mm for Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) and $32.9 mm
for State Energy Programs (SAP) from the Department of Energy to improve energy
efficiency and renewable energy across residential, commercial, industrial, and
governmental sectors. Together these programs will advance the country's energy
independence and create and support jobs statewide.
for State Energy Programs (SAP) from the Department of Energy to improve energy
efficiency and renewable energy across residential, commercial, industrial, and
governmental sectors. Together these programs will advance the country's energy
independence and create and support jobs statewide.
Green Houseboats
While more popular in
Europe and Asia,
house boats may
provide an interesting
alternative in the
U.S.for homes as well
as recreation. These
zero-emission house
boats provide much
the same facilities as
loft-style homes.
Europe and Asia,
house boats may
provide an interesting
alternative in the
U.S.for homes as well
as recreation. These
zero-emission house
boats provide much
the same facilities as
loft-style homes.
Bernhard Urich and design firm Confused-Direction
architects Flo Florian and Sascha Akkermann. This eco-
friendly project represents a balanced mix of design and
maritime romance. Two of the primary “green”
methods used in the house’s construction are a green
roof planted with vegetation and the use of reclaimed
wood wherever possible.
architects Flo Florian and Sascha Akkermann. This eco-
friendly project represents a balanced mix of design and
maritime romance. Two of the primary “green”
methods used in the house’s construction are a green
roof planted with vegetation and the use of reclaimed
wood wherever possible.
| Other Energy Events |
March 15: David Godfrey and Jennifer Wilson, State Utilities Program Managers for GEFA's
Office of Energy Resources, will present updates on several programs in Georgia. They will
discuss the Competitive Grants Boost Innovative Energy Projects, the Clean Energy Rebate
Program, and the State Retrofit Program. More . . .
April 19: The April program will feature Lonnie Carter, President of Santee Cooper
Corporation. The program is entitled "How Is South Carolina's Largest Power Producer
Leading the Way in Going Green?" Mr. Carter will discuss Santee Cooper's ambitious goal to
generate forty percent of its electricity through non-greenhouse gas emitting resources,
biomass fuels, efficiency, and conservation by 2020. More . . .
May 17: James Farnham, Business Development Manager, Clean Energy Fuels will describe
the benefits of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs). NGVs look like any other vehicles. The
difference is, NGVs operate on clean-burning natural gas. Compared to gasoline or diesel,
CNG fuel provides significant reductions in health-harming, smog-forming pollutants and
greenhouse gas emissions. More . . .
Office of Energy Resources, will present updates on several programs in Georgia. They will
discuss the Competitive Grants Boost Innovative Energy Projects, the Clean Energy Rebate
Program, and the State Retrofit Program. More . . .
April 19: The April program will feature Lonnie Carter, President of Santee Cooper
Corporation. The program is entitled "How Is South Carolina's Largest Power Producer
Leading the Way in Going Green?" Mr. Carter will discuss Santee Cooper's ambitious goal to
generate forty percent of its electricity through non-greenhouse gas emitting resources,
biomass fuels, efficiency, and conservation by 2020. More . . .
May 17: James Farnham, Business Development Manager, Clean Energy Fuels will describe
the benefits of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs). NGVs look like any other vehicles. The
difference is, NGVs operate on clean-burning natural gas. Compared to gasoline or diesel,
CNG fuel provides significant reductions in health-harming, smog-forming pollutants and
greenhouse gas emissions. More . . .
Greenprints, the premier sustainability confeernce in the Southeast, will be held March 1 and 2 at
the Sheraton Downtown, Atlanta. Cohosted by The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and
Southface, the conference will offer residential and commercial tracks, as well as sessions on
sustainable communities and energy policy.
the Sheraton Downtown, Atlanta. Cohosted by The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and
Southface, the conference will offer residential and commercial tracks, as well as sessions on
sustainable communities and energy policy.
| News Briefs |
Some politicians in the Charlotte area endorsed plans
Tuesday for an ambitious green-energy industrial park
on the Catawba River that would include a $300 million
power plant fueled by shredded garbage. More . . .
Tuesday for an ambitious green-energy industrial park
on the Catawba River that would include a $300 million
power plant fueled by shredded garbage. More . . .
California approves PG&E renewable bioenergy
contract. Under the 15-year contract, PG&E will procure
renewable bioenergy from a 44 MW biomass facility.
More . . .
contract. Under the 15-year contract, PG&E will procure
renewable bioenergy from a 44 MW biomass facility.
More . . .
Launched in 2004, the Great Energy Efficiency Day promotes a discussion on the need for, and
benefits of, energy efficiency. The event features keynote addresses from government officials and
sessions with the leading energy efficiency voices on the following topics: Federal, State and Local
Stimulus Dollars Promoting Energy Efficiency: Today and Tomorrow; Stimulus and Smart
Communities; Building for the Future: EE Technologies Today and Tomorrow.
benefits of, energy efficiency. The event features keynote addresses from government officials and
sessions with the leading energy efficiency voices on the following topics: Federal, State and Local
Stimulus Dollars Promoting Energy Efficiency: Today and Tomorrow; Stimulus and Smart
Communities; Building for the Future: EE Technologies Today and Tomorrow.
Recovery Act Announcement: Secretary Chu
Announces More than $37 Million for Next
Generation Lighting to support high-efficiency
solid-state lighting projects. Solid-state lighting, which
uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic
light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of incandescent
bulbs, has the potential to be ten times more
energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lighting.
More . . .
Announces More than $37 Million for Next
Generation Lighting to support high-efficiency
solid-state lighting projects. Solid-state lighting, which
uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic
light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of incandescent
bulbs, has the potential to be ten times more
energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lighting.
More . . .
| Developing a Strategy for Clean Energy: Deploying the Southeast Clean Energy Application Center |
A regional conference to develop a strategy to increase Combined Heat and Power, Waste Heat
Orlando, FL. Interested? Contact: Maureen Quinlan (mequinla@ncsu.edu, 919-515-7147) for
information about the Conference and registration.
Orlando, FL. Interested? Contact: Maureen Quinlan (mequinla@ncsu.edu, 919-515-7147) for
information about the Conference and registration.