Solar financing for Guam homeowners - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

(MREI) – Locally owned company Micronesia Renewable Energy Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its solar energy financing program for Guam homeowners. According to MRE Inc. vice president Jeffrey Voacolo, the program is designed with the average homeowner in mind. 

“A high percentage of homeowners we speak to want to decrease or eliminate their power bill but can’t afford the initial cost of renewable energy. This program gives Guam homeowners the opportunity to go solar without the upfront cost,” Voacolo said.

With zero upfront cost to the homeowner, a complete solar energy system which includes solar panels, inverter and typhoon-rated racking system will be installed on the roof.

Voacolo said homeowners will enjoy lower power bills while putting money back in their pockets. “With this program, homeowners will be cash flow positive from day one,” he said. “The goal is to have our customers pay the system back at a lower rate than what they’re currently paying for power. In a few years they own the system; that’s when the big savings kick in.”

Micronesia Renewable Energy has been providing zero down financing for commercial customers. With the addition of its residential solar financing program, MRE is in a better position to better serve the entire island community committed only to using tier-one solar energy products with the best warranties in the business.

“Our customers can rest assured that their solar energy system will last beyond twenty years,” he said.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

President Obama’s support of renewable energy - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

I READ an article last week regarding the cold snap or polar vortex that most of the U.S. Mainland is experiencing and especially the northeast corridor. Because of the fierce cold and the extreme need for heat the article quoted, “Winter weather is sapping fuel supplies in many regions and sending prices for propane and natural gas to record highs leading power plants in this region to purchase natural gas at any price to meet the higher than normal demand.” Until we can become independent from fossil fuel, any kind of fossil fuel, we will always see these huge price swings no matter where you live in this world. And living on an island nation, we will always be a slave to any crisis that hits the world that we live in.

I was pleased to listen to our President’s speech on Wednesday and his support for renewable energy. Please read part of his speech below which outlines the major support for renewable energy:

President Obama: “It’s not just oil and natural gas production that’s booming; we’re becoming a global leader in solar too. Every four minutes, another American home or business goes solar; every panel pounded into place by a worker whose job can’t be outsourced. Let’s continue that progress with a smarter tax policy that stops giving $4 billion a year to fossil fuel industries that don’t need it, so that we can invest more in fuels of the future that do. Taken together, our energy policy is creating jobs and leading to a cleaner, safer planet. Over the past eight years, the United States has reduced our total carbon pollution more than any other nation on Earth. But we have to act with more urgency – because a changing climate is already harming western communities struggling with drought, and coastal cities dealing with floods. That’s why I directed my administration to work with states, utilities, and others to set new standards on the amount of carbon pollution our power plants are allowed to dump into the air. The shift to a cleaner energy economy won’t happen overnight, and it will require tough choices along the way. But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact. And when our children’s children look us in the eye and ask if we did all we could to leave them a safer, more stable world, with new sources of energy, I want us to be able to say yes, we did. “

A powerful quote from his speech, indeed, but we need to do more and stay the course. In 2013, we lost the 50 percent bonus depreciation in year one for businesses. And if the course is not turned, we will lose one of the biggest incentives out there for renewable energy in 2016. The ITC 30 percent credit for residential and commercial businesses is a direct credit against your federal taxes, dollar for dollar, 30 percent on the contractual value of your system.

We as an industry will be holding the president to his word. We do need smarter tax policies and smarter policies in general to support this industry that will leave a cleaner greener world for many generations to come. And I believe that teaching our children how to reduce their carbon footprint by installing these systems is the first step towards independence. They are the leaders of tomorrow.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

The social impact of renewable energy - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

WE ALL know that renewable energy is good for the environment but many studies have been conducted reporting that renewable energy is also good for our economy. “Green jobs” are jobs that play a direct role in reducing the environmental impact of traditional energy sources. The renewable energy business is starting to grow and is creating jobs that cannot be out sourced. By creating local jobs we build a strong foundation for domestic stability and growth. This is especially needed as the world, not just the United States, is trying to recover from one of the most sever recessions in decades. Clean energy may just be the answer.

The United States has passed several acts and regulations to start shifting away from its dependency on fossil fuel and start using domestically produced clean energy. This shift will create jobs as the use of renewable energy increases. Workers will be needed to fill these newly created green jobs; many of these jobs would not need significant additional training and/or education. Not only can clean energy create jobs in its industry but as we shift away from fossil fuels the outdated and antiquated infrastructure will have to be replaced.

I read an article on www.renewableenergyworld.com that refers to a report from the American Solar Energy Society and Management Information Services Inc. This report states that, 4.5 million jobs will be created in the United States by 2030 if the government gets serious about undertaking climate change. This would take into account the numbers of jobs lost if the United States displaced around 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions annually by 2030. This level of displaced carbon emissions is needed to stop the devastating effects of global warming and climate change. 

The report also mentions that not only will the renewable energy industry benefit from more jobs, but so would other industries such as construction, manufacturing, metal fabrication, professional services, trucking and transporting, and farming. Renewable energy technologies are generally more labor intensive than traditional fossil fuel technologies. Solar, wind, and other fuel-free renewable energies jobs mostly come from the manufacturing, installing, and maintenance of these systems. Most jobs in the energy technologies that use renewable fuel sources come from farming feedstock and distribution of the biofuels that they create.

I found another article on renewableenergyworld.com that mentioned a report from the University of California. The report calculated that if the United States remains status quo with the current mix of energy we use today, there could be 86,370 jobs created by 2020. But if the United States were to increase energy that comes from renewable sources by 20 percent, the U.S. could expect anywhere from 188,000 to 240,850 new jobs created. This would depend on the mixture of renewable energy of solar, wind and biomass.

This University of California report also states that more jobs are created by solar photovoltaic per megawatt than other energy technologies. About twenty manufacturing and 13 installation/manufacturing jobs are created per installed megawatt. Solar heating creates two to eight times more jobs than traditional power plants and solar PV creates 55 to 80 times more jobs than traditional power plants.

There are many more studies that show that renewable can be an industry that will help lower unemployment and help create a stronger economy. Overall, going green is not just to save our environment but it can save our economy. Green jobs are going to help build a better future for us all by creating a clean and healthy environment and jobs that will be around for years to come.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

2013 Clean Energy Breakthroughs - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

AS WE head into 2014, let us take a look back into what 2013 had to offer the clean energy industry.

There were many breakthroughs last year from salt batteries to changes in the laws. Technology is quickly taking us closer to our goal of a zero-carbon future. Here are my four top innovations of last year:

1.     Vehicles that power buildings: We have all read or heard about the electric car owner who drives to work, plugs his car in and by the end of the work day his battery is fully charged to take on whatever after work activity he has. Nissan has taken it one step further by pioneering a new system that allows the flow of electricity to go both ways. This innovative technology is called vehicle-to-building. Basically what it does is reverse the flow of energy during peak hours in which the building draws energy from the vehicle’s battery. When the energy consumption slows, the energy then flows back to the vehicle. The U.S. military is also trying out this technology with their vehicle-to-grid pilot program. Because of the capability to store energy in the car’s battery, the car can be a source or power during power outages. Imagine turning your car on instead of running a generator. As more renewable energy is added to the grid, battery storage is a necessity and this innovation is helping bridge that gap.

2.     Battery power: As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, being able to store the energy created for a time when it is most needed is the key to renewable energy. Batteries of the past are bulky, costly, have low storage and are not very safe. The renewable energy industry has been working hard to make batteries more efficient and more affordable. Last year saw the use of nano-technology that yielded a higher level of conductivity in a smaller, lighter, lithium-sulfur battery. Tests are still undergoing if the battery is safe enough to be used. The year 2013 also saw a solar plant in Arizona come online, but this was no ordinary plant. For the first time in the United States, this plant has a battery that will keep generating power even after sunset. The battery uses a thermal energy storage system made of molten salt and can produce energy up six hours after the sun sets. This breakthrough is a huge step for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology that is dependent on the sun.

3.     Solar cells: In March last year, Alta Devices set a new record of 30.8 percent conversion efficiency. Conversion efficiency is the measurement of the amount of light that hits the solar cell and is changed into electricity. The industry standard is usually 18.7 to 24 percent. To achieve this record, the solar cell was made with a smaller thinner surface area. These cells are perfect for mobile phones, tablets, watches and more.

4.     Wind turbines: Last year was a big step in wind energy. A Norwegian-based oil and gas company started work on floating wind turbines that is taking advantage of the offshore wind. The traditional wind farm requires a lot of construction and cannot be put in water over 195 feet. The floating wind farm simply needs a few cables to moor with and can be placed in water up to 2,295 feet.

GE has also done some innovations with its line of wind turbines. They have turbines that calculate wind availability and the demand for power. When used with a grid-scaled energy storing battery, it will smooth out power fluctuations to the grid and will have power available during peak hours.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Battery storage – get ready! - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE use of energy storage in various forms has been around most of our human existence in one form or another. An example dates back to the 1300s where stored or dammed waterways controlled watermills for use in grain processing and farm irrigation. Energy storage gives us control over the supply and demand of energy. In the next two years, battery storage systems will become mainstream and change the renewable energy industry forever.

Japan, Germany, the United States and China have been investing millions of dollars into battery storage over the last three years and it seems that it will be finally paying off. In the past, the problem with this technology has been the low energy density, its availability and the high costs. The density of storage is the relation of the amount of energy stored in a given unit, the higher the energy density the more energy you can store.

Now is the time to get excited because battery storage will not only be affordable but will make sense to add this technology to renewable energy systems that will help save you a lot money in the years to come.

Solar and wind farms naturally have additional challenges such as cloud cover and changing weather conditions. When these systems are connected to the grid, these uncontrollable conditions cause fluctuations of energy. When a battery storage system is added, these systems deliver reliable and efficient energy to the grid with minimal voltage fluctuations. Batteries that use Ni-Cd (Nickle-Cadium), Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydrate), and Li-ion (Lithium-ion) deliver a high performance, long service life and low to zero maintenance. Even in extreme conditions, these batteries stand the abuse. This value proposition is designed to optimize energy efficiency, enable more flexible grid management, maximize investments and provide peace of mind knowing energy balance is under control across the entire energy supply chain.

In the commercial and residential markets, solar companies are partnering with energy storage companies and creating hybrid systems. These systems can store your excess energy produced during the day and delivering this energy to your electrical system once the sun goes down. This new technology is being produced with logic controls in which the owner can preset and program when to dispatch the stored energy and under what conditions. When commercial and residential storage become more common it will eliminate the heated debate about net metering. Net metering gives power customers who generate renewable power the opportunity to give their excess power to the power company in exchange for reduced power bills. Battery storage will give customers the opportunity to store their excess renewable energy for later in the day when needed and not adding it to the grid once it is created.

Continued research and development from the pioneers of energy storage and the decrease in prices will upgrade the renewable energy industry. I believe battery storage is the missing link needed to complete our need for energy independence from fossil fuel. This new and exciting technology will soon be mainstream and it could not come at a better time. 

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

PACE Now - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

I HAVE had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people on Guam who would love to go solar or install some means of energy efficiency to help lower their energy costs, but simply have no way of coming up with the extra cash to pay for it. It’s that old catch-22 situation that if I had the money to install these systems I could save money, but my energy costs keep rising and with my everyday expenses there is simple no way to come up with the money. Although regional banking institutions will loan monies now for solar energy and energy-efficient systems, the finance term is usually five to seven years and for most households that are struggling already to make ends meet, this is usually very cost prohibited. But what if there was a program that would amortize this loan for up to 20 years at a low interest rate with no money down – wow! Please sign me up.

PACE – Property Assessed Clean Energy – is an innovating way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to residential and commercial buildings. Interested property owners evaluate measures that achieve energy savings and receive 100 percent financing for these measures while repaying the loan as a property tax assessment for up to 20 years. Owners of these properties under the PACE program can eliminate upfront fees and greatly reduce their energy bills with very low cost financing which greatly overcome the challenges otherwise faced by the costs associated with these technologies.

PACE was first introduced in the United States in 2008. Today there are 31 states and the District of Columbia that have adopted legislation that enables local governments to offer PACE benefits to building owners. This community initiative creates permanent private sector jobs, strengthens our local economy and helps Guam become less dependent on fossil fuel. The PACE program is also increasing property values. Data shows that PACE homes are less likely to default and many studies have found that homes with energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades sell at higher prices relative to those without.

The steps needed for Guam to become the first territory and enable every homeowner or business owner the ability to own an energy-efficient or renewable energy system through a PACE program are as follows: establish public policy promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as a means to enable every credit-worthy building owner the means to lower their energy bill, and in turn, lower the carbon foot print and help to create a third industry here. Building owners who voluntary participate in the program can hire an experienced energy auditor, which can be found through the Guam Renewable Energy Association membership, to provide the building owner with a full audit and proposal. The government provides financing for the project typically by selling bonds secured solely by payments from the property owners. The building owners receive financing from the government and agree to repay the loan usually through a property tax assessment for a 20-year term.

Everyone wins with PACE. The building owner has a renewable energy system that now enables the owner to become cash flow positive from day one; in some situations, cutting their energy bills by up to 40 percent. The community wins by lowering the carbon footprint of Guam and benefiting from not only a cleaner world, but the buildup of a viable third industry that Guam truly needs.

And the government wins by providing the people of Guam with smart policy that will provide everyone with the opportunity to investment in renewable energy and our children’s future.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Climate change and the deterioration of our oceans - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE argument of climate change has been around now for more than 10 years. Whether you believe in it or not, the facts are stacking up that this is a real phenomenon and is becoming a tangible problem for us all.

The Chamorro people of Guam and Micronesia region have a kindred relationship with the ocean. Guam has been inhabited since approximately 2000 B.C. The Chamorro people were excellent sea men and a lot of their diet came primarily from the sea. The ocean has been a major part of the Chamorro culture and today, unfortunately, our oceans are in trouble. Earth is heating up, putting extreme stresses on our oceans.

On Oct. 3, an international panel of marine scientist published disturbing results from the latest International Program on the State of the Oceans report. The report stated, “The ocean is absorbing much of the warming and unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide and warn that the cumulative impact of this with other ocean stressors is far graver than previous estimates.” The decreasing oxygen levels in the ocean are being attributed to the climate change, chemical pollution, overfishing, and many other factors.

There are three major concerns affecting our oceans today. The first is de-oxygenation, which is a decline in dissolved oxygen in the ocean interior. Evidence shows the oxygen levels of the ocean are gradually declining at an alarming rate. Second is acidification, or the unbalanced chemical equilibrium of the ocean, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide. If the current levels of carbon dioxide release continue, we can anticipate extremely serious consequences for ocean life, our food and coastal areas. Third is the climate change, which, in turn, is warming up the ocean. Many of us who dive the oceans have experienced these three factors through observing the bleaching and dying of our coral reefs.

Our glaciers and Artic ice shelves are melting at alarming rates causing the seas to rise. Islands such as Kiribati and Tuvalu in the South Pacific could disappear within our lifetime. NASA’s website, www.nasa.gov, has some concerning pictures that show how detrimental climate warming is. Compare the 1917 picture of the Peterson Glacier in Alaska to the picture taken in 2005 – the glacier has literally disappeared.

I do not understand why we as a civilization continue to harm our planet, especially with all of the renewable energy technology that we have now such as wind, solar and hydro. On Guam, we must find better ways to scale back our use of fossil fuel and eliminate the dangerous emissions our power plants produce. We must join the renewable energy movement so future generations will the have the opportunity to experience this beautiful island and Mother Earth for many, many more generations to come. It truly is in our hands now. Pope Francis said in a biography, “We must be protectors of our Earth that the Lord has entrusted us with.” Powerful words indeed!

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy conservation starts at home - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

AS PARENTS, we want to teach our children many things such as good manners, personal hygiene, and the value of a dollar.

Teaching them about living a greener lifestyle should be no different. After all, they are the ones who will be the caretakers of the planet after we are gone.

There are many lessons to be taught about how to make them stewards of Earth.

Recycling

Throughout the world, recycling is becoming more and more a common practice. Not only households, but businesses, schools and government agencies have made strides in creating programs to reduce and reuse waste. Guam has recently rolled out its Curbside Recycling Service, making recycling much easier. Get kids involved, put them in charge of the recycling chores. This is a great way to teach them about household consumables that can be recycled.

Visit a recycling center with your children to show them how the materials they collect are recycled into materials that can be reused. It is important that children learn that the community recycles.

Be creative, go online and look for projects that reuse household containers. I have seen such crafts as flowers from plastic bottles or glass jars turned into candleholders.

Teach kids how to properly dispose of items that cannot be recycled such as motor oils, computers, and cell phones. Although we may not have a place to recycle many of these items, you can go online and look for companies that buy old cellphones, computers, cameras, and even ink cartridges for printers.

Create a compost area using vegetable and fruit scraps that can be used to fertilize gardens. What a great example of recycling, using discarded vegetable and fruits to grow new vegetables and fruits.

When shopping, teach kids how to read the symbols for recycling and to purchase items that can be refilled. Explain how too much waste in our landfills can be dangerous to our environment and to wildlife.

Energy conservation 

Not only does energy conservation at home reflect in your monthly power bills, but it also prepares children – no matter their age – to prevent pollution and protect the environment. Our children utilize much more power than we did as kids, from video games, to computers, to cellphones.

Help kids understand what energy is and where it comes from. Inform them that energy can come from many resources and teach them the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy. Remind them our planet needs their help in conserving energy and that coal and oil can only last so long before it is all gone. Using too much of certain types of energy can also pollute our environment. Inform them that the less energy we use, the less impact we have on the Earth keeping it cleaner and healthier.

Energy is needed to survive to keep our food safe from spoiling, to stay cool, or do our homework. Get kids involved at an early age; the sooner they become energy-conscious, the more energy they will save. Here are some things they can do:

• Unplug their cellphone chargers from the wall when their cellphone is done charging.
• Turn off lights, TVs and other electronics when they are not using them.
• Teach them to put their computers on sleep function or turn them off when not being used.
• Not to block air conditioner vents and keep them free of dust.
• Don’t stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open.
• Open drapes to let natural light in.

Teaching our children about recycling and energy conservation ensures our planet will be healthy and sustainable for generations to come. Our kids learn a lot about recycling and energy conservation from movies, such as The Lorax, school and online. Remember that good habits are not learned but ingrained by example and by practicing them daily. You are your children’s best example; if they see you taking steps to leave the world a better place, they will learn from your actions, which they will pass down for generations to come.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Power to the people - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

I TRULY believe there are a few areas in our lives that need to be governed by our own decisions, and energy is one of them. I do not expect the cost of energy to decrease any time soon. We have been prisoners to foreign oil for many years, especially on Guam. But now we do have the technology to lower our energy bills at a reasonable cost.

To understand how energy is generated, delivered and used, the renewable energy industry has come up with the term “energy footprint.” The first and most critical step we need to take along our energy footprint path is energy efficiency. Always remember that the number one rule in saving energy is not conserving energy, but simply not to use it at all.

Educating our family about turning lights and computer monitors off and controlling our air conditioning usage can have a dramatic effect on our utility bills. My customers come to me asking for solutions that are energy efficient that will last for years, which is understandable for the money that is invested. I advise my customers to use a combined technology approach that can lower their footprint and energy bills. I put the “power” in their hands to make their goals attainable.

The renewable energy industry has made strides to provide energy-efficient solutions with a long-term approach to energy independence. These solutions can now put the power in your hands to make an educated decision to install renewable energy. Guam is the perfect location for solar energy. Taking advantage of our most abundant natural resource, the sun, is not only smart but can be very profitable.

Using solar energy for our long-term strategy of energy independence on Guam makes complete sense. Guam has made strides in helping power consumers accomplish net metering. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, “net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity” from renewable energy such as wind or solar power “to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.” In other words, it is now feasible on Guam to zero your energy costs and obtain a one for one credit for the extra power you create. With the cost of renewable energy systems dropping, you can expect a reasonable payback period before you are enjoying free, clean, efficient and sustainable energy. These new technologies are built to last with some of the newer solar systems constructed to last 50-plus years with limited degradation on your solar energy system.

The acceleration of renewable energy technology along with the economies of scale could not have come at a better time. I believe we have a moral obligation to our planet. Our children and future generations will live on this beautiful planet and we must be as efficient as possible and capitalize on these reliable power resources to help defend it. Our planet is facing the rapid deterioration of our oceans, worldwide destructive climate changes and patterns, and soon a shortage of crude oil. Now is the time to act. We can no longer live as business as usual.

The bottom line is we all win with renewable energy. We save money, help save the environment, and help ourselves to become more energy independent along the way. We now have the power to change our lives. Power to the people!

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

The electric car - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE electric vehicle is not a new concept and has been around since the late 1800s. Their first commercial application in the United States was by a fleet of taxicabs in New York City in 1898. One has to ask: If this technology has been around for a while, why are we still driving gasoline-powered vehicles?

Two issues that have overwhelmed this industry in the past have been poor acceleration and its short range distance before having to charge up again. This short-range distance is called range anxiety. In the late 1920s, the major automakers made a dash to get these vehicles into the mainstream. But there were several obstacles that kept electric cars from being massed produced. The first was that Ford was making leaps and bounds with their new combustion engine technologies and offering it to the masses at affordable prices. Secondly, petroleum was so cheap to purchase. These obstacles brought the electric car idea to a screeching halt. The fuel crisis of the late 1970s brought about its resuscitation although it was short-lived as the prices of oil came back down dropping the interest in renewable energy.

Today, the electric car is making a big comeback. I believe that we will soon reach peak oil, a point in time when the total production of crude oil reaches its maximum rate. Production of crude oil will start to decline causing the price to soar and never to come back down.

So what has changed in electric cars making them more appealing? One major reason is batteries are able to hold their charges for longer periods of time. Another reason is the use of a flywheel to store and regulate the car’s energy. A flywheel is wheel attached to the axel and is continuously spinning as long as the vehicle is on. These advancements reduce range anxiety. A light flywheel increases engine revs eliminating sluggish acceleration problems.

There are a number of reputable manufacturers now making electric vehicles – EVs. I was elated to learn that Nissan Guam is selling the LEAF, the only EV on the island. The LEAF is the top-selling electric vehicle in the United States, selling over 83,000 vehicles through this past September. I visited Nissan and took the LEAF for a test drive. It was easy to see this is one of the best vehicles I have ever driven; acceleration was unbelievable and it handled superbly.

The average person on Guam drives about 30 miles a day; the LEAF gets close to 75 miles on one charge. You could easily run this car for two days without range anxiety. The vehicle has 24Kwh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is engineered for years of use. Even with the high prices on Guam for energy per kilowatt hour, the LEAF will save you half of your annual fuel costs. The savings multiply if you utilize a solar energy system. As both solar energy and electric cars become more mainstream, shopping centers, business centers, banks and other work places will install solar electric charging ports for these vehicles. Now that would be a totally green vehicle that has eliminated the use of fossil fuel for power.

On top of fuel cost-saving benefits and saving the environment, some EVs are eligible for a federal tax credit up to $7,500 (www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml). The Nissan LEAF qualifies for the full $7,500 and another $1,000 rebate for the battery charging system. I would like to extend my hats off to the Guam 32nd Legislature for supporting Bill 203-32, which introduces a $7,500 local tax incentive for purchasing a new EV. You truly are the heroes who have Guam’s long-term interest at heart. Thank you.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

The military is going green: Part 1 - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE United States military is one of the world’s largest oil guzzlers.

Planes, ships, vehicles, helicopters, and even shore-based operations must have electricity to keep the military operational. Many presidents have realized that our military is “addicted” to foreign oil. Within the past 10 years or so, the military has set goals of reducing its fossil fuel dependency and its “boot-print” on Earth. Going green is not new to the military, but with the lofty goal set by former President George W. Bush that 25 percent of the military’s energy must come from renewable resources by 2025, the U.S. military is now becoming one of the largest investors in green energy.

There are many reasons the military is going greener. There is a direct relationship between energy consumption and the military – the more energy consumed the more vulnerable it becomes to the enemy. Our military deploy to all corners of the world, to areas with many different climates. Most areas that they deploy to require fuel to be flown, shipped, or driven to make shift bases; this is a weakness as the supplies can be ambushed causing the loss of life of those that protect it. It is also pricey to have fuel delivered in this manner – it can cost as much as $400 per gallon to be delivered to a remote forward operating base.

According to an article I found on greentechmedia.com, “Seventy-five percent of the renewable energy procured or produced in FY 2012 actually came from the department’s 679 renewable energy products (15 percent was purchased and 10 percent came from renewable energy credits).” The same article broke down the types of renewable energy produced by the Department of Defense: over half comes from geothermal sources, municipal solid waste accounts for 16 percent; 9 percent comes from ground-source heat pumps; 8 percent from biomass and biogas; and another 8 percent from solar photovoltaic systems. 

Each DOD branch is doing its part to reach the lofty goals set before them. Their dependency on petroleum degrades the strategic position of the country and its tactical forces. The global supply of oil is finite and is becoming harder to find and retrieve which is causing the cost of fuel to continue soaring. Here are a few goals each branch has set:

• The Navy and the Marine Corps will reduce petroleum usage by 50 percent for their commercial fleet making it a greener fleet by 2016. They will produce at least 50 percent of the energy used by ashore bases using alternative sources by 2020. Also by 2020, they would like 50 percent of their shore-based commands to be net-zero, which means producing as much energy as it uses. Lastly 50 percent of all energy consumed will come from alternative sources. (http://www.navy.mil/features/Navy_EnergySecurity.pdf)
• The Army is pressed to generate 25 percent of its energy requirements by 2025 using renewable energy. They also have set five major incentives – eliminate energy waste, increase energy-efficiency in all new and renovated buildings, reduce their dependency of fossil fuels, conserve water, and improve energy security – the ability to obtain affordable uninterrupted energy sources. (http://army-energy.hqda.pentagon.mil/docs/strategy.pdf)
• The Air Force’s priorities are to improve resiliency, reduce demand, assure supply and foster an energy aware culture. They plan to by improve energy-efficiency by 10 percent and reduce total facility energy consumption by 2020. Another goal is to increase use of aviation fuel blends by 2025. (http://www.safie.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130325-132.pdf)

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy-saving tips: Part II - www.micronesiarewableenergy.com

WE ARE all feeling the crunch of power rates.

Let’s face it – rates are not ever going to be what they were five years ago. This month is Energy Action Month on Guam and here are a few actions you may want to consider to get that dreadful power bill under control.

Standby power or phantom loads is power that is used by an appliance or device when it is turned off. Some phantom users include VCRs, televisions, clock radios, stereos, computers, battery charges, cell phone chargers and coffee makers. To avoid phantom usage, plug these items into a power strip and turn off the power strips between uses. Phantom loads can account for about 10 percent of your energy bill.

Curtains or blinds can cover windows to keep you cooler on hot days.

• Tinting windows reduce the radiant heat while allowing you to see through them.
• Use weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors to keep the cool air from escaping.

Replace your major appliances or air-conditioners that are more than 10 years old with modern appliances that conform to the Energy Star standards. Energy Star appliances are more efficient and are 10 to 20 percent cheaper to operate. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a new air-conditioner that has an energy efficiency rating, or EER, of 10 can cut a room’s cooling costs to 50 percent, compared to a unit that has an EER of 5.

Refrigerators, freezers

• Keep them full. Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of work to stay cool.
• Dirty condenser coils adds up to more expensive power bills. Because the appliance works harder, it will shorten its life expectancy. Vacuum the coils to remove dust.
• Most refrigerators have a drain hole and drip pan to remove condensation. Keep these clean of any food particles to ensure the appliance running efficiently.
• A gasket on the door seals in cool air and keeps warm air out and is imperative to the efficiency of your appliance. Ensure the seal is tight and check the gaskets for cracks or other damages. Replace them if necessary.
• Is your appliance is on level ground? If the ground is not level, the doors may not close or seal tightly.
• Electric water heaters are the second most expensive item reflected in your energy usage.
• Use a timer on your hot water heater and set it to come on for the times you need it most, and to go off when you need it the least. Most heaters are big enough and have sufficient insulation to maintain adequate hot water throughout the day without being switched on.
• Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a home’s energy use. High-efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models.
• How much you actually save with high-efficiency water heaters depends on family size, heater location, and the size and placement of water pipes.

Solar water heaters are more expensive than standard models, but certainly offer more cost-saving features. Harnessing the sun’s energy can reduce operating costs by a whopping 90 percent. Even on Guam the sun takes a break, so I advise to keep a conventional water heater as a backup.

We are all working to achieve the goal of lowering our energy bills and protecting the environment. By changing to more energy-efficient practices and products, we are one step closer to achieving that goal.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy-saving tips - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

GUAM’S Energy Action Month is the perfect time to focus on energy-savings ideas and tips that a homeowner can use daily.

Lighting is the fastest and easiest way to save on your energy bills. If you're the last person to leave the room, make sure you turn the lights off. Install dimmer switches to monitor the amount of light needed. Install timers or motion sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights remain on.

Replace your light bulbs with LED bulbs. Studies show that changing one light bulb to a LED bulb will save you about $35 a year and provide you with 60,000 hours of usage.

Installing ceiling fans keep air circulating which means your air-conditioner does not work as hard.

Hanging clothes outside to dry as an alternative to running the dryer.

Insulating your home

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat loss or heat gain. It is cost-effective and makes your home more energy-efficient, saving up to 40 percent in cooling bills. In addition, insulation reduces condensation and provides health benefits by reducing mold and dampness.

Air-conditioners

Air-conditioners can account for more than half your energy bill. Make sure your systems are running at their highest efficiency by having regular cleanings and maintenance performed.

Changing the filters in your air conditioner keeps the air flowing and clean, which is good for the lungs and will help maintain peak performance.

Consider raising the temperature on your air-conditioner when you are at work. This will reduce the amount of times your air conditioner’s compressor comes on. Programmable house thermostats or timers for your window units allow you to control the air conditioners when you are not home. Raising the temperature on your air-conditioner can save you about $100 a year.

Size matters. If the unit is too small, it will not cool a room. If a unit is too large you may experience uncomfortable temperature fluctuations. Either way will result in reduced efficiency and higher electric bills. You also run the risk of excessive wear and tear on your air-conditioner, causing you to replace the unit much sooner than expected.

Roof coating

Reflective roof coating can help reflect more sunlight from the surface of your roof, thus reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the structure.

Coating your roof can make a huge difference, saving you money on your energy costs and usage. It will make your indoor temperature more comfortable. Coating your roof also protects your roof from the elements therefore prolonging the life of the roof and roofing material.

The benefits will vary depending on the shape and size of your home, the coating you choose, how energy-efficient your home is, and how often you use your air-conditioners. Living in the tropics like we do where we experience warm temperatures and sunny days almost all year round can save you up to 70 percent in energy savings.

Landscaping

Landscaping with shade trees and shrubs can help reduce the direct heat on your house lowering your air-conditioning costs.

There are many ways to cut your energy usage, some more expensive than others. No matter how big or inexpensive your actions are, in the end, your wallet will be grateful and so will the Earth. So go ahead, Guam. Start taking action.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at inf[at]@micronesiarenewableenergy.com

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

What is peak oil? - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE world’s population is expected to increase by another 2 billion in less than 17 years. Most of the undeveloped countries moving into the 21st century are experiencing rapid growth especially in the transportation sector. If peak oil occurs, this will be a major dilemma for countries using fossil fuel for energy. What is peak oil?

Peak oil as defined by Investopedia as “a hypothetical date referring to the world's peak crude oil production, whereby following this day, production rates will begin to diminish.” Geophysicist Marion King Hubbert created the peak theory, which states that oil production follows a bell-shaped curve. In simple words, because oil does not renew or replenish itself, there is a limit to how much that can be pumped out of the ground. Peak oil will be the day that oil production reaches its maximum production, and from then on, production will decline until we deplete all the crude oil.

Peak oil is a little more complicated than just drying out oil wells. Most oil fields have three layers, the primary of which is on top, the secondary which is the middle layer, and the last layer is the tertiary. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the primary level accounts for about 10 percent of the reservoir, the secondary level accounts for 20 to 40 percent, and lastly the tertiary level account for about 50 percent. It is relatively easy to pump out the primary level, since at times this is sitting right at ground level. The secondary level is a bit more difficult.

There are usually two reasons why an oil field or well is abandoned. The first reason is during the drilling of the secondary level. Water or gas is injected into the reservoir to pressurize the oil. The process to extract the water or gas from the oil is expensive and adds on to the price of the oil. There comes a point in which it costs more to produce the oil, than what the oil is worth. When that happens, the oil field is abandoned. The second reason is when the primary and secondary oil layers are depleted and drilling to the tertiary level is too difficult and very costly.

Once we abandon the easy, cost-effective fields, drillers start looking elsewhere. There is a large untapped oil reservoir in the Artic, but the weather conditions and accessibility are very extreme and will most certainly raise prices of oil. Besides, do we really want to start drilling in one of the world’s most pristine areas?

Scientists are not sure exactly when the oil will run “dry.” It took millions of years and a whole lot of pressure to create fossil fuels and we have managed to burn approximately half of the oil reserves in a brief 125 years. So now is the time to start looking at renewable resources that the Earth provides. The sun, the wind, and the ocean tides are infinite and non-polluting and will be around for a long time to come. This to me is not a debate on climate change – just plain old common sense.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Renewable energy: The next 50 years - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

LAST week’s article took a peek at the last 50 years of wind and solar energy. Let’s see what the next 50 years may look like for these renewable energy sources.

The last 50 years have been an incredible ride in the renewable energy industry with the last 20 years making a major jump in the industry. In the last 10 years, this new and exciting industry has pushed into the renewable energy mainstream where almost everyone can now afford to decrease their energy costs with sustainable energy systems.

But the energy industry will be facing some multifaceted challenges. Some of these challenges arise from geopolitical unrests and economic downturns. Another challenge for the industry is the growth of the world’s population. Our society has become very reliant upon electricity – from cell phones to computers and even some of our smart cars. The challenge is that as the world’s population grows, it is predicted that the supplies of conventional oil are expected to decline in the not-so distant future. How do we keep up with the demand?

New technologies in the wind power industry are being developed. Engineers are creating new blade designs and more efficient turbines. Because the wind blows stronger offshore, designers are looking into large 10-megawatt turbines that are moored to the ocean’s floor. New technology is being designed for a wind power system that will work in low-wind areas. As the manufacturing and demand rise, it is expected that the cost of wind power systems will start to decrease. In the U.S., more wind farms are expected to be built to add to the current power grid. As more wind power is created, it is expected that current power transmission systems will have to be upgraded. One possible challenge the wind power industry can face may have to do with Mother Nature. As more wind farms are created, the safety of wildlife – especially birds and bats – will have to be taken into consideration.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar power could be responsible for over a third of our energy supply by the year 2060. Because the sun shines more than the wind blows in many places, solar power may become the renewable energy leader. Solar energy systems have also become more affordable that most people can afford a personal home system. The future is bright for solar technology. Some of the upcoming technology for solar energy is more efficient solar panels and clear or pliable panels that can be attached anywhere. Another advancement being researched is the ability to store the energy created to be used during the times the sun is not shining. Currently, solar panels require a large amount of land to generate a sufficient amount of energy. Designers are researching on making smaller and more efficient panels.

Other renewable energy technologies, besides wind and solar, are also expected to help reduce the world’s carbon footprint and the dependence on foreign oil. These technologies are wave and hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are expected to take the lead in transportation over the next 50 years, especially in the airline industry.

With all of the renewable energy systems becoming more affordable and more advanced in their technology, grid parity now looks reachable in most areas of the world by 2020. Grid parity, as explained by the Renewable Energy Advisors, is a term that “is meant to describe the point in time, at which a developing technology will produce electricity for the same cost to ratepayers as traditional technologies. That is, when the new technology can produce electricity as inexpensively as the electricity currently available on a utility’s transmission and distribution grid.”

In areas like Guam and the north Pacific, where energy is so expensive, parity can be a reality by 2017.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.