Summary - Energy

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Plans"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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July 21, 2008)</I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NW CT EDC Goal:</U></B> </div> <div> -  Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Task Team Goals:</U></B><U> </U></div> <div> -  Develop a long term (10-20 years) comprehensive plan which benefits the entire region.</div> <div> -  Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Guiding Principles:</U></B></div> <div> Energy costs and availability issues transcend and affect all aspects of the economy.</div> <div> Many of the factors influencing energy costs and availability are beyond local/state control.  The weak dollar, speculation on the commodity markets,  increasing usage by developing countries <I>(i.e. China and India), </I>and the lack of refinery capacity have all affected oil prices.</div> <div> NW CT along with the entire country is trying to become energy independent of petroleum based energy.</div> <div> Alternate energy sources are available, but are usually more costly and can be limited by other factors.</div> <div> The current electrical grid in NW CT is in good condition.  Updates are being made to the system in a planned and systematic manner by Northeast Utilities.</div> <div> Northeast Utilities delivers electricity, but does not generate electricity.</div> <div> Net metering monitors the flow of electricity in and out of the grid.</div> <div> Net metering allows electricity users to be compensated for electricity added to the grid and charged for electricity used from the grid.</div> <div> Alternate energy sources are becoming much more attractive as the price of oil increases.</div> <div> Many of the alternate energy sources are less polluting than fossil fuels.</div> <div> Natural gas is now less expensive than oil as a source of energy.</div> <div> Nuclear energy provides a lot of Connecticut's electricity.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Suggested Overall Strategies</U></B></div> <div> Energy conservation and efficiency are the most effective ways to reduce energy costs.</div> <div> Energy audits can identify ways to reduce energy usage and costs.</div> <div> Providing free or low cost energy audits benefits everyone with lower costs to the consumer and less demand on existing sources.</div> <div> More efficient heating and cooling units can drastically lower costs.</div> <div> Photo voltaic solar panels are now much smaller and energy efficient.  They can reduce electrical costs for homes.  Grants can be obtained through the CT Clean Energy Fund for large scale installations.</div> <div> High temperature fuel cells operate like giant batteries and can provide consistent electricity for larger users - industrial parks, shopping centers, etc.  These fuel cells become more cost effective when used as larger mega watt units.  Absorption chillers can be used to convert high temperature fuel cell energy into air conditioning.  Methane and natural gas can be used as fuel in fuel cells.  Capturing methane gas from farms can provide another source of fuel.</div> <div> Optiwind is located in Torrington and provides an option for wind power using smaller blades in a closed container.  Wind power requires areas with a steady flow of air averaging at least 10 miles per hour.  There are locations in NW CT suitable for wind power, but careful siting is desirable.</div> <div> Hydroelectric power produces a small amount of electricity in NW CT along the Housatonic River, but there are negative side effects with water flow, fishing and water temperature changes.  Finding suitable locations with minimal environmental impact is crucial to the success of hydroelectric generation.</div> <div> Bio-fuel is produced in NW CT using soybeans.  It is mixed with oil based petroleum products.  Bio-fuel also benefits local agriculture.  It reduces reliance on oil, but is only supplemental.</div> <div> Forest management techniques requiring controlled and systematic thinning could provide another source of energy using trees to create wood pellets and bio bricks.</div> <div> Forming municipal or business consortiums to share resources and as purchasing agents should be investigated as a way to reduce costs.</div> <div> While coal is in abundant supply there are concerns about environmental impact.  Scrubbers can drastically reduce pollution levels.  The current railroad system would need to be upgraded to supply coal to the region.  Coal fired power plants are a tough sell because of “nimby” attitudes.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Components</U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Infrastructure/Grid</U></B></div> <div> Current infrastructure is well maintained and functional.  Planned updates by Northeast Utilities are being implemented to improve delivery and transmission of electricity.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Generation of Electricity</U></B></div> <div> Electricity is produced by a variety of sources and distributed by Northeast Utilities.  CT uses mostly nuclear, natural gas and oil to produce electrical power.  There is a limited amount of hydro electric power produced on the Housatonic River.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Alternate Energy</U></B></div> <div> Fuel Cell Energy (FCE) manufactures high temperature fuel cells most suitable for large scale installations (i.e. hospitals, industrial parks).</div> <div> United Technologies (UTC) produces smaller sized fuel cells for use in cars and buses.</div> <div> Both types of fuel cells uses hydrogen based fuels including natural gas and methane.</div> <div> Hydro-electric power is produced in small quantities along the Housatonic River.  River flow, water temperature changes and effect on fish can have negative impact.</div> <div> Optiwind is located in Torrington and is producing wind mills sized in a smaller unit with less visibility.  Wind flow is most conducive at higher elevations.  Placing units in less visible locations is most desirable.</div> <div> Solar power is produced primarily through photo voltaic panels.  These panels have become much smaller and produce more electricity.  Since solar power depends on sunny days it can be less consistent, but provides a supplement to an existing electrical source.</div> <div> Geothermal can be used in homes, but is expensive to install and must be supplemented with another power source.  A network of underground pvc pipes <I>(below the frost line - at least four feet deep)</I> adjust water temperature to around 50 degrees F.  A heat exchange unit is used to distribute the heated or cooled air.</div> <div> Biofuel uses soybeans to create an oil substitute.  It is frequently mixed with oil and used as a supplement.  The added benefit is to support local farmers growing soybeans.</div> <div> Forest biomass is a concept worth investigating in NW CT with large tracts of forested areas.  Forest management thinning techniques could be applied in conjunction with replanting to provide wood or cellulose for use as a fuel.  Pellet stoves and bio bricks are becoming popular options for home heating generation.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Related Articles/Links:</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ct-energyinfo.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ct-energyinfo.com/"><B>Connecticut Energy Info</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ctinnovations.com/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ctinnovations.com/index.php"><B>Connecticut Innovations</B></A><B>  </B><I><B>(CT Clean Energy Fund)</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.firstlightpower.com/generation/default.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.firstlightpower.com/generatio"><B>First Light Power</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/"><B>Fuel Cell Energy</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nu.com/energy/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nu.com/energy/"><B>Northeast Utilities</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.optiwind.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.optiwind.com/"><B>Optiwind</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="Solar Wrights http://www.solarwrights.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Solar Wrights http://www.solarwrights.co"><B>Solar Wrights</B></A><B> </B><I><B>(Ray Furse, Warren)</B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Issues identified during Scenario Planning (March 28 & April 28, 2009):</B></I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="528" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Energy costs and trends</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> High cost of energy</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Energy availability</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> High cost of doing business</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Effect of emerging markets (energy usage, competition)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> National issues</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Political change</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Political developments in foreign companies</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="520"><div> Potential competitive advantage of the region to attract the emerging green economy</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Is a coordinated effort or what type of coordinated effort is best for the region?</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Limitations and/or aging infrastructure</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Infrastructure – adequate now? future?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="520"><div> Coordinated regional effort for economic development, not economic discouragement (Regional Econ. Development Czar)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="520"><div> How do we ensure that we coordinate our efforts to get the area’s fair share of resources</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="520"><div> Economic incentive for new or existing businesses</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Loss of State and Federal representation due to shrinking population</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>TASK TEAM</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>