RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY

by Mike Taylor, Director of Research and Education, SEPA I assume my utility isn’t happy about my PV system — I’m buying less electricity! What happens when 10% of their customers have PV? What about 25%? — Frank G., Zaza, Idaho

by Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group I have heard that some people are worried that renewable fuel standards or low-carbon fuel standards or simple market forces favoring biofuels will “cause people to rip up sustainable soybean fields and turn them into big switchgrass plantations.” And that EPA is proposing elaborate new laws saying that farmers [...]

by Christy Herig, SEPA Q: I’m aware that storage of energy is a key component for renewable energy and I know that it is possible to store solar energy in the form of heat with concentrating solar power. What are the storage characteristics for CSP technologies? – William Z., Philadelphia, PA

by David R. Shonnard, PhD, Michigan Technological University Q: What biofuels are in development other than corn-based ethanol and biodiesel blends that have good potential? — Gordon M., York, ME

by Christopher D. Barry, P.E. Q: I haven’t heard much about Ocean Energy lately. It would seem to me that on a global scale the ocean would have a lot to offer us for energy development, perhaps with additional benefits while we’re at it. Are there any new developments on that front? — Jason S., [...]

by Mike Taylor, Solar Electric Power Association Q: On a utility scale, which of these two technologies is cheaper: photovoltaics (PV) or concentrating solar thermal (CST)? — Lisa B, Denver, Colorado.