Austin Smart Energy

Comment/Question

2010-07-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

Comment/Question:

It is shocking, such a hot sunny climate to see hardly
any homes have solar, even in prosperous areas. Your Co. would
accomplish more for less by giving greater incentives for people to use
solar when this is such a perfect climate for it!

Indeed, for people who can't afford it there would be a great benefit in
funding a free program. I'd jump at it. Why not have people continue to
pay their normal fixed rate until they pay off part of the cost?

Brad Strahan

Comment

2010-03-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

As a scientist/businessman, and thus an inherent
sceptic of non-fact based hoopla, I believe "human caused global
warming" is a fraud. Climate changes have and will occur regardless of
human activities.

Austin Energy's refusal to participate a new nuclear energy source,
while funding a solar panel installation which will result in power
costs 5 to 10 times higher ignores facts,to our long term detriment.
Nuclear power is by any rational measure the best of available power
sources.

Comment/Question

2009-09-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

As City Council will decide on the future energy mix
of AE, I am curious about costs associated with upgrades at FPP. Could
you please post answers to the following questions on
www.austinsmartenergy.com?
1. How much money has AE invested in emissions technology upgrades at
FPP and exactly what levels of reductions have been achieved?
2. What future investments in FPP does AE anticipate based on potential
federal legislation aimed at reducing levels of mercury and particulate
matter?

Comment

2009-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

Please decrease the amount of fossil fuels (coal, gas)
and nuclear in Austin's energy mix and greatly increase the amount of
renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass). Also, please increase the
amount of conservation planned, and increase conservation incentives and
renewable energy incentives available to customers.

Please also consider energy conservation incentives for improvements
like reflective roofs like metal roofs.

Comment

2009-09-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

Love the game, but it doesn't confirm that the comments / results have actually been submitted when you click submit.

Comment/Question:

2009-09-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Comment/Question:

I would like to learn solar energy from the roof up.

Is the city hiring any installers to do this this?

Comment

2009-08-11T22:39:00.001-07:00

Comment: Please start phasing out coal as a generation source
and increase renewables as much as possible and gas as the non
intermitant choice

Comment

2009-08-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Press Release - Get to the Smart Energy Homeplug with
a waterproof ECYPH Ethernet link

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the core of!
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Surf over to www.pcables.com and click on the Smart Energy Catalog link
to see the new PHP1-EWP.

Comment

2009-04-14T23:26:00.001-07:00

The new GAME is AWESOME.

Comment : solar energy plant versus energy produced from plasma incinerated garbage

2009-04-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Hello, I've been reading about using plasma to incinerate garbage, with the side product being energy. Has the city looked into this as a alternative to renting a solar plant? We're running out of space for landfills and with the plasma incineration, waste becomes a constantly renewable energy source. Thanks for your time.

Comment

2009-04-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

The new GAME is AWESOME!

Comment

2009-03-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Thank you for the reply! The sun popped out briefly when I opened your message... and I'll take that as a good sign!

I am sure the hiring freeze will be over soon and the City back on its feet. I at least chose to make a mid-life career change and prepared for it... but it sure ended up being a bad time to make such a decision!

Comment

2009-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Paul Duncan for 100 mw biomass-wood projectin Austin. Austin is awesome. In 2007, Austin's electric vehicleinitiatives were leading edge. Last Fall, a PBS special on REhighlighted Austin's investing in energy saving evaluations forcommercial and residents, which saved opening a new power plant.

The biomass plant solves my problems, here in Maryland. The easternseaboard has suffered HUGE tree losses (pine, oak, ash, trash trees,whatever).

Statement from Attendee

2009-03-03T12:25:00.002-08:00

My name is Dr. Robert Duncan from UT [University of Texas at Austin]. I have come to three meetings. I brought the [report, A] Smarter Energy Plan. I care about the environment. ["Please write to me at duncan@astro.as.utexas.edu if you want a copy via e-mail."]

If a system or solar heating panels are installed on a buildings is there any insulating value on the roof?

2009-03-03T12:25:00.001-08:00

Yes.

Is there any type of compensation for residences?

2009-03-03T12:24:00.001-08:00

There are rebates and tax credits.

With smart metering and new metering, you can do a different type of billing and raise rates for afternoon use and you have a lot of data about use.

2009-03-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

Conservation measures are difficult to mitigate it.

A: We can't bill right now but we are looking at a new billing system with these capabilities.

If a group of homeowners that were adjacent want to cooperate to install solar that would benefit all of them,

2009-03-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

, is that something AE would support, if not, why?

A: Would have to look at the circumstances on that. There are issues under state law to consider.

Net zero house - is that due by 2012? 2015? Won't that design require solar?

2009-03-03T12:21:00.002-08:00

You get there with the design of the house. Cannot mandate solar. If you mandate zero consumption, it allows the building design standard to determine the technology.

Go back to your dollar figure on the cost of the solar project. Does it include cost of land?

2009-03-03T12:21:00.001-08:00

No, if they bought the land, that cost would be 3 times the hardware.

Currently Austin metro has 44 percent of the people on the poverty line. What moves are there to help those people through the solar program?

2009-03-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

We don't have anything for PV right now. We are demonstrating solar in schools and city facilities. [However, Austin Energy's Free Weatherization Program can assist homeowners with reducing energy use; call (512)974-7827. Also, the City of Austin's Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program assists income-eligible homeowners with substantial repairs such as HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical work, etc. Contact www.cityofaustin.org/ahfc or call (512)974-3119.]

Congress just passed a law that increased money for homeowners for home improvements for doors and windows,

2009-03-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

is AE planning education for people to see how they can get it, and lead people to take advantage of the rebates?

A: Yes, we would like to keep educating customers though our programs. We have one of the best solar rebate programs in country.

Q: How many rooftops are we looking at for that program?

A: The program started five years ago and in those five years about 800 homes have installed PV systems. There have been another 30 - 50 commercial buildings.

With regard to the energy efficiency budget - what portion is set aside for the smart grid project?

2009-03-03T12:18:00.002-08:00

The smart grid is not a part of the energy efficiency program. Smart grid is in the discovery process. Through this process we will set the design parameters and develop appropriate programs.

A company in New Braunfels, [Texas] has been an experimental system where animal methane generation is recovered. Has this been considered here?

2009-03-03T12:18:00.001-08:00

We have looked at options, but methane digestion has been around a long time, is the company different? Please let us know more details.

What are the plans for plug-in vehicles?

2009-03-03T12:17:00.002-08:00

It went a long way to put us on the map, but in terms of rolling out the support systems, we don't have current plans.

Can PV panels for Austin Energy projects be manufactured by U.S. or Austin semiconductor plants?

2009-03-03T12:17:00.001-08:00

Yes, theoretically, but we are trying to meet power needs today. There is nothing available today in this scale. It is not likely that anything of this size would be enticing enough.

How vigorously will you investigate storage and systems?

2009-03-03T12:16:00.003-08:00

We are vigorously investigating it. Within the last two weeks we reviewed a study for a large-scale storage facility. It is still not commercially viable, but we are hopeful that will change soon.

Can electrical power be generated in thermion systems?

2009-03-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

Thermions use concentrated sunlight and is a solid conversion. It is in development and has been there for some time but is not available commercially.

When you go to China to procure solar panels, there is a lot of carbon produced, would they be the one to provide the offsets?

2009-03-03T12:15:00.003-08:00

That is not a part of the current carbon program.

In using natural gas or coal, which is not fossilized?

2009-03-03T12:15:00.001-08:00

With current carbon you are using fossil fuel. It is better than this. In the case of our biomass plant that uses tree waste, we take the waste which would generate methane and convert to a the less potent green house gas - carbon.

If the carbon caps go in place, isn't the competition to buy offsets and the prices going to go up?

2009-03-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yes. Every utility will come to the same conclusion as you and they will purchase the offsets.

Who regulates offsets?

2009-03-03T12:13:00.002-08:00

There are nongovernmental organizations - climate registries. There is a highly reliable verification process. They go out on the ground and verify. They count the number of trees, etc.

Is there any other company in [the] U.S. that can build this facility using U.S. panels?

2009-03-03T12:13:00.001-08:00

I don't know.

Does the increase in efficiency in the tracking device pay for the more expensive panels?

2009-03-03T12:12:00.002-08:00

Yes can get 20 to 25 percent more energy from the tracking devices.

If we are paying their bills and double their output in 25 years, will we [Austin Energy] get the benefit?

2009-03-03T12:12:00.001-08:00

[Refers to the proposed 30 MW solar plant at Webberville]

A: Yes.

Can they build more generation and sell to others?

2009-03-03T12:11:00.001-08:00

No. They are contracted to sell output to Austin Energy.

Does Austin Energy own any hydro power?

2009-03-03T12:10:00.002-08:00

No.

We would be obligated to buy everything produced on the lot?

2009-03-03T12:10:00.001-08:00

Yes, but if they don't deliver the power we won't pay for it.

In the end do we own the plant?

2009-03-03T12:09:00.002-08:00

In 25 years, unless we come to some other agreement, they have the responsibility of taking it and recycling. We might want some of the equipment left over, but we don't know.

If the government has money for purchasing solar energy can we take advantage of it?

2009-03-03T12:09:00.001-08:00

It depends on timing. It may or may not.

What if the stimulus package says there will be incentives?

2009-03-03T12:08:00.004-08:00

We will get them as a pass-through from the developer anyway.

Is Austin Energy's movement on the solar deal related to a anything in Congress?

2009-03-03T12:08:00.003-08:00

No, this has been going on for months. We started this in November 2008.

You mean private individuals as home owners or private businesses?

2009-03-03T12:08:00.001-08:00

Anyone subject to taxes. If incentives occur, Austin Energy will get it under the contract terms, AE will get the tax benefits from the project. We want it all.

Is there any legislation that can drive the use of solar?

2009-03-03T12:07:00.003-08:00

There are income tax credits and legislation proposed at the state level.

What about using local companies as a source of any equipment [for the proposed 30 MW solar plant at Webberville]?

2009-03-03T12:07:00.001-08:00

No local companies submitted proposals.

Will this Webberville plant employ local labor?

2009-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

They have agreed to a third-party contractor process to hire and make best efforts to meet MBWE [Minority Business Enterprise/Women-Owned Business Enterprise] goals.

Is the wind transmission construction included in the smart grid?

2009-03-03T12:05:00.002-08:00

No, the smart gird includes the poles and wires in the neighborhoods. The transmission system is the larger poles that go through the country.

Does your gas figure include combined heating and power like at Domain?

2009-03-03T12:05:00.001-08:00

Yes.

Doesn't nuclear take a lot of water?

2009-03-03T12:04:00.001-08:00

Yes, nuclear is a large water consumer.

Why is biomass limited to wood, as opposed to other byproducts from cows or other agricultural animals or feedlots, etc.?

2009-03-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

Biomass includes those things, but they are relatively small amounts of generation .

Statement from Attendee

2009-02-27T12:01:00.001-08:00

A study was commissioned by SEED coalition that showed a very high cost by unit before cost over run of nuclear. Expect bills in San Antonio to increase 50-60 percent. Concern is not just cost but is it right to leave radiation waste behind. It is a moral question.

Explain process from here before Council decides on plan?

2009-02-27T12:00:00.002-08:00

How many plans will be put before public to comment on? Will there be options? Will there be a forum with City counsel to give input.

A: AE has asked consultant to look at different scenarios to determine cost to build and operate. They are looking at new technologies. They will review all of these and the feedback and [AE will] make one recommendation to Council. Do not know how Council will take process from there. There will not be a range of options presented to Council.

Statement from Attendee

2009-02-27T12:00:00.001-08:00

Current nuclear plant had 460 percent cost overruns when it was built, which is why there is concern about new investments in nuclear.

If Austin Energy was really interested in cutting carbon, wouldn’t it buy into the nuclear plant?

2009-02-27T11:59:00.000-08:00

Why no discussion in the plan? With the potential spike in demand from electric cars, more fuel will be burned when there is another option. AE will have to buy more carbon offsets for all the fossil fuel that will have to be burned to charge these vehicles.

A: AE was given an offer to participate in the expansion of nuclear plant. AE already has part ownership. 30 percent of current energy is from the nuclear plant. Estimated cost of $2 billion to buy into expansion, this cost could be more given the long lead time and permitting process. Concern is financial risk without more known variables (schedule, funding, delivery are uncertain). As the project progresses and more is known this will be evaluated. Too much uncertainty at this time. Not like the solar project, there is no guaranteed price.

Coal plants, can they be throttled on and off?

2009-02-27T11:58:00.002-08:00

AE owns two very large coal plants which can be cycled but we don’t want to cycle too much. It takes about four hours to bring it on. If the unit cools off it takes 12 hours to bring back up. However, when wind power is available they cycle these units cycle down.

Explain how biomass is carbon neutral.

2009-02-27T11:58:00.001-08:00

Burning biomass uses carbon that is already above ground. Fossil fuel brings carbon from below ground to above ground which adds carbon to atmosphere.

How is the solar rebate program being publicized?

2009-02-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

Austin Energy is working with Austin Community College (ACC), which has a solar installer program for contractors, so they are building a contractor pool to get word out. Doing solar in schools to get word out. $10 milion capital improvements in City facilities to demonstrate solar. Periodically, AE puts solar program in newsletters and [bill] stuffers.

The slides show green building techniques being used in 2015, why not sooner?

2009-02-27T11:56:00.002-08:00

The building codes for energy efficiency are being revised every few years and there is a step process to ratchet up the requirements by 2015. It is a step process to address builder concerns. Since 2000 there have been green standards for many buildings. These are being increased over time.

Is AE looking at the ability to generate electric power to support electric trolleys, light rail, etc to reduce cars on the road that burn gas?

2009-02-27T11:56:00.001-08:00

AE is looking at and thinking about, but it is not in the planning criteria right now. If plug-in hybrids are on the road in significant quantities, they expect those to be plugged at night and not use peak power. However, there is not enough data to go on for the short-term to incorporate into plan.

If you took the profit motive away from Austin Energy what would be the reductions in MW?

2009-02-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

AE will take any ideas on how to do this.

If the City of Austin wanted to be the most efficient city in the world, how much can they reduce demand?

2009-02-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

AE has reduced 500 MW and looking to reduce 700 MW more in the next 13 years, and believes we are doing everything we can do today.

Statement from Attendee

2009-02-27T11:53:00.002-08:00

Austin Energy did something similar [to Sacramento's long-term contracts with solar sales] with hybrid vehicles and was successful because they [AE] went around the country soliciting orders. Why not do this for solar?

Statement from Attendee

2009-02-27T11:53:00.001-08:00

Sacramento entered into a long-term contract to guarantee a quantity of solar sales to vendor, at a declining price. This worked for a while but Sacramento did not have the buying power and price went back up.

Would like to see solar moved up in order of new power resources. Is Austin Energy positioned to take advantages of federal subsidies/incentives?

2009-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

AE is watching and hoping to take advantage of incentives as they become available. The resource plan is a straw man and can be adjusted depending on the circumstances, as technology develops. Prices for solar are still high and is a consideration.

Why does it make sense for AE to purchase solar from a vendor rather than own the plant, as in a gas plant?

2009-02-27T11:51:00.000-08:00

If AE owns the gas plant you pay for gas forever; why not own solar where you don’t have to pay for fuel forever?

A: The solar plant is not that different because there will be ongoing costs to replace panels. Over time AE will probably own a solar plant and take advantage of new technologies at that time. However, there still needs to be a source of power that backs up solar when it doesn’t work. We need a source of power that can be turned on and off.

Is Austin Energy making the same deal for gas plants with a vendor?

2009-02-27T11:50:00.002-08:00

AE owns the plant so it is not a power purchase contract.

If the vendor generates electricity at a lower price, does AE then continue to pay the same price?

2009-02-27T11:50:00.001-08:00

AE shares in some of the benefits such as tax rebates.

Is this a contract a 100 percent purchase at a fixed price? [i.e. 30 MW Solar Plant at Webberville]

2009-02-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, but I can’t disclose the price. It is a commitment to vendor that this price be kept confidential. AE pays a fixed price per MWh on what they produce and deliver. The vendor takes the risk if the plant does not generate power.

Why is Webberville contract a purchased power contract and not owned by AE and …?

2009-02-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

It saves AE from having to incur debt to build. The economics show that paying out over time along with other factors makes this structure more beneficial.

Is Austin Energy looking for something local or something else?

2009-02-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

I like the idea of building solar on roof tops and parking/public areas. This is cheaper than buying gas for gas plants on an ongoing basis.

A: This is a part of the plan but we still need baseload units to run when there is no sun or wind. AE needs a diverse portfolio and storage technology is not ready today.

If you put a large scale solar in West Texas you still have to deal with transmission, so what are you gaining when wind is cheaper?

2009-02-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

Would not do it if transmission was a problem

What storage options are being looked at?

2009-02-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

Compressed air, underground storage as well as flow batteries.

There was a study that said there is more potential for wind. How is it appropriate to give input if we have ideas?

2009-02-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

Is AE still in the presentation mode?

A: Input can be provided through the public input sessions, or the web site on the blog, and emails.

Is there a practical upper limit to how much solar and wind to add to the Austin Energy portfolio?

2009-02-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

Not today, AE does not have a concern as to a limit on what they could add.

When I turn on the light, which power is the lowest cost delivered to my house?

2009-02-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

The coal is the lowest delivered cost today. However, to build a new plant coal would not be cheapest, wind is the lowest cost to construct. Not a simple answer, this answer changes daily depending on the market and because AE has a diverse supply of energy.

With the Public Utility Commission (PUC) decision to approve the construction of transmission lines by 2013 why not increase long-term wind capacity?

2009-02-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

The decision just came out and AE wants to see how this turns out. We will evaluate and adjust the plan accordingly.

If congestion charges are $30-40 million a year isn’t it a small price to pay for additional wind?

2009-02-27T11:36:00.001-08:00

Gas is $200 million and it is a small portion of the portfolio, there are other resources AE relies on which impact the overall cost.

Why are there thermal plants in early years? Why not accelerate the wind generation?

2009-02-27T11:35:00.000-08:00

It is to move the city away from purchased power contracts and address peak requirements. The new gas turbines are very efficient and it has expansion opportunity if needed to efficiently generate more power. It is a local resource and is not impacted by transmission congestion risk. AE can not get the wind without the transmission lines. It does not make sense to enter into contracts today when you can not deliver the power, very costly.

Once the transmission lines are built can the wind generation be built any faster so that they could accelerate coal removal?

2009-02-27T11:33:00.002-08:00

Yes, once the transmission lines are done more wind can be brought in to offset coal and gas.

Austin Energy has some combined heat and power, how is that being considered in the plan?

2009-02-27T11:33:00.001-08:00

It is included in gas capacity, but we are not planning on additions. Not enough to be considered. Not pursuing those opportunities.

How is the solar residential and commercial capability factored into plan?

2009-02-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

Not in the conservation plan, some of it is in solar resource. Each year AE adds about 2 MW. They have not counted on the additional solar from rebate program into resource plan.

How does the Pecan Street Project fit into this plan?

2009-02-27T11:31:00.004-08:00

It is not part of the resource plan today. It is a research consortium to evaluate how local renewable options could work in the City. A very large team of business, research and others looking at technology options for the future and how to develop. Goal is to study 300 MW of distributed energy resources for the City.

What is Austin Energy doing with respect to the solar plant?

2009-02-27T11:31:00.003-08:00

Proposals solicited and recommendation will go to council Feb 12 [2009] for solar facility.

The term rebate seems to create a misconception, perhaps another name.

2009-02-27T11:31:00.001-08:00

Cost share might be a better name.

What percent of residential rebates for solar used?

2009-02-27T11:30:00.001-08:00

All have been used.

What is cheapest source of power today?

2009-02-27T11:29:00.001-08:00

Wind.

Does Austin Energy plan to build its own wind power plants?

2009-02-27T11:28:00.002-08:00

Yes, AE has a strategy to move away from purchased power contracts and move to owning its generation. Originally when wind was a new source, it made sense to buy power from another source to see how the technology worked and how dependable it is. Now it is a tried and true source so AE is comfortable owning its own plants.

Are Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants being built or not?

2009-02-27T11:28:00.001-08:00

There are two IGCC plants under construction but they do not have carbon capture. No one is doing that today. There is a lot of research in process trying to figure out how to do it. The major manufacturers are researching and developing turbines that could burn hydrogen on a long term basis. The expectation is this will be a technological breakthrough.

Statement from Attendee: There has been news that the U.S. produced more gas than before and may have up to 100 years of supply.

2009-02-27T11:27:00.002-08:00

With the economic downturn, is the 1375 MW projected need for energy still a good projection?

2009-02-27T11:27:00.001-08:00

We do not know and the downturn is too new and too recent to determine impact. The planned new generation is far enough out on the horizon that Austin Energy can defer plans if there is an impact. Plans are continually evaluated to determine what is needed.

Do you have any assurance the natural gas needed to power the plants will be available when needed?

2009-02-27T11:26:00.002-08:00

No assurances. However there have been new gas developments in the Barnett shale and others. This is a risk.

What is the design life of a nuclear plant?

2009-02-27T11:26:00.001-08:00

Typically about 80 years. The license life is 40 years, and expectation is they will relicense for another 40 [years.].

Where are the numbers presented for capacity factor documented?

2009-02-27T11:25:00.001-08:00

These are developed through studies done by AE staff. Best public record is probably in reports made to Council on the capacity factors of the power plants or plant performance.

The biomass plant, how is it carbon neutral?

2009-02-27T11:24:00.002-08:00

The carbon is being absorbed in the growth of the new trees, which is equal to what is being released into the atmosphere. The plant operator is not growing trees to cut down for fuel. The biomass plant is using the wood waste that would normally be left in the forest decomposing which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. The biomass plant is speeding up the process of decomposition by burning and generating energy. This is why it is carbon neutral.

In other areas geothermal is being tested, why not here?

2009-02-27T11:24:00.001-08:00

Austin Energy is dependent on the private sector to develop the technology, nothing has been proposed in the area now.

Are tidal and geothermal farther out on the horizon than CO2 capture?

2009-02-27T11:23:00.002-08:00

It is about the same horizon, probably 2020.

Are tidal and geothermal not practical as a resource?

2009-02-27T11:23:00.001-08:00

Not today, we are watching the technology but it is not viable on a commercial scale.

Why not more discussion of climate protection plan?

2009-02-27T11:19:00.003-08:00

The plan encompasses the generation planning process that AE is going through, as well as other aspects of the city. [For information on the Austin Climate Protection Plan go to web site] www.coolaustin.org

What kind of power is in the Purchase Power Agreement (PPA)? Is it carbon neutral?

2009-02-27T11:19:00.001-08:00

Purchase power agreement is a term for the acquisition of any type of power. It does not in itself denote carbon neutral power supply. There are gas generation purchase contracts as well as a solar contract coming to City council.

What is happening to Fayette Power Plant fly ash?

2009-02-27T11:18:00.001-08:00

The vast majority is sold as recycled material used in road base. What is not sold is stored on the plant site in a lined site and can not leach into water supply. We have a different process from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).