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NEWS RELEASE BY THE ONTARIO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION (Toronto, Ontario) Ontario's Liberal Party has endorsed a policy mechanism widely used in Europe to spur the rapid development of renewable energy. The Ontario Liberal Party adopted a resolution supporting Advanced Renewable Tariffs at its Provincial Policy Conference--the first ever held by the party on energy policy--at the Deerhurst Conference Centre in Huntsville, Ontario, November 6. The move marks the first time that a major political party in North America has opted for the innovative mechanism at the heart of Germany's successful Renewable Energy Sources Act. The Liberal Party is the ruling party in the provincial legislative assembly. The resolution endorsing renewable tariffs was introduced and passed by elected delegates from each constituency association in the province, Canada's most populous. Southern Ontario is home to one-third of Canada's population, and is about the size of Germany. The rocketing growth of wind and solar energy in Germany is the direct result of the country's ground breaking law that permits farmers, cooperatives, and businesses to connect their wind turbines and solar panels to the grid. Equally important, the law also specifies how much they will be paid and for how long. Discussion at the Policy Conference on renewable energy was moderated by Donna Cansfield, MPP and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy. Cansfield has taken the lead in the Liberal Party for finding innovative ways to meet the need for new supply and reducing consumption. The party, from grassroots to elected members, is considering how market mechanisms, like those that have worked so successfully in Germany, can be adapted to Ontario. Unlike other mechanisms used to develop renewable energy, the German law elicits the active participation of its citizens and businesses. "This is a milestone," says Paul Gipe, an adviser to the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association. "There's a growing realization in North America that a new approach is needed if renewable energy is to quickly reach its full potential. The Germans, French, Portuguese and a host of others have found a market mechanism that works. Ontario may well become a model for the rest of North America." The Liberal Party was swept into office in the fall of 2003 on a platform that included closing Ontario's notorious coal-fired power plants. Action by Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan implementing the Policy Conference resolution on renewable energy tariffs will be necessary for the party to meet its campaign commitment. However, the resolution by the party's Policy Conference is non-binding. German homeowners, farmers, and businesses will invest 1.2 billion Euros, about $2 billion CAD, in solar-electric systems this year. They will also install an estimated 3 billion Euros, or $5 billion CAD, of wind turbines as well. Canadian provinces are now poised to take the lead in renewable energy policy in North America. Though several American states have set Ontario Sustainable Energy Association renewable energy targets, they have yet to introduce mechanisms that will lead to the rapid growth of renewables. Canadian provinces are not only setting aggressive targets but taking the necessary steps to reach them. Prince Edward Island's ruling Progressive Conservative Party has also introduced a comprehensive renewable energy proposal to produce 100% of the island's electricity with wind energy by 2015. Wind turbines at North Cape currently produce 5% of Prince Edward Island's electricity, the highest percentage of wind generation within a state or province in North America. In a recent report the David Suzuki Foundation estimated that a rapid deployment mechanism, like that endorsed by the Liberal Party, could meet a significant portion of the province's need for new sources of electricity. According to the study, wind energy alone could meet nearly 10% of the province's needs by 2012, more if consumption was reduced. For more information contact Paul Gipe or Melinda Zytaruk at 416-977-4441, or Brent Kopperson at 905-895-1926.
RESOLUTION T2: RENEWABLE ENERGY Whereas advanced Renewable Tariffs allow farmers and others to connect their solar, small hydro, or wind generators to the provincial grid; and Whereas Germany has found that Advanced Renewable Tariffs bring clean renewable generation on line faster than any other mechanism and these tariffs have resulted in $20 billion in private investment in Germany; and Whereas the Electricity Conservation & Supply Task Force (ECSTF), "envisions that over time, centralized contracting with generators would give way to more decentralized contracting"*; and Whereas the Task Force "recognizes the value of 'distributed generation' and advances several recommendations that either remove barriers to such generation or encourage it..." **; and Whereas the Task Force calls for quick action to implement the Renewable Portfolio Standard and it has been estimated that it is possible for Ontario to develop 2000 MW of Renewable Wind Energy within four years; and Whereas the advantages of using wind power include: speed of installation (6 months to a year after permitting is completed), no fuel cost, stable generation cost, a strong correlation to electricity requirements (installations produce more power in winter and during the day) and the cost of wind energy has come down as larger units have been developed" ***; and Whereas Ontario manufacturers will be able to develop expertise and employment in a new industry; therefore Be it resolved that the Government of Ontario encourage the use of renewable energy by implementing Advanced Renewable Tariffs that will allow distributed solar, small hydro, or wind energy to be established by farmers, co-ops, and locally owned enterprises and to be able to market this energy on the provincial grid. Be it further resolved that the Government of Ontario make a subsidy available for the purchase and installation of all major Green" technologies which can be utilized to provide energy for residential dwellings, offices businesses and industry (products such as geothermal heat systems, solar-assisted hot water heaters, heat pumps, small-scale wind generators, net metering equipment, etc.). *ECSTF; Executive Summary, page iii
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skye faris' off-grid solar powered strawbale house near Killaloe
RUNNING WELL PUMPS ON SOLAR POWER
A drilled well can easily be made to supply plenty of water, using only solar power. I have been involved in the installation of six or seven of these and all of them have met expectations. I have one myself, and it has never let me down (for my family of four, three of whom female who bathe much more than I, as a male, do). Use the Shurflo Submersible SF-9325 12/24 Volt pump. Don't use a conventional 120 V or 240V AC pump, because the starting current is too high! The Shurflo uses DC current. A DC motor can start up gradually(not instantaneously like an AC motor has to) without harm, therefore the starting current can be low(not any higher than the operating current).The pump motor and the long column of water can be brought into motion, gradually. This means that the photovoltaic(PV)system to run the pump does not have to be designed to provide a very huge start-up requirement. The Shurflow Submersible is a bit more expensive than a conventional AC submersible pump. In the case of the PV installation, however, it is cheaper to use because NO INVERTER IS REQUIRED! In fact, no batteries and no controller is needed. The best way to run this pump is straight from the PV panels. You don't have to run a heavy wire from the house to the well. Mount two 55 Watt(or larger) PV panels very nearby the drilled well(very nearby, to avoid wire-power-loss). Wire these in series, to get 24 Volt - this is better than 12V for this purpose because the higher voltage will reduce power-loss through the long wire which goes down your well to the pump. Install a linear current booster - a tiny electronic device which will improve the PV panels' low light performance and will serve as a pump controller. Find out how far down your submersible pump should be(ask your well driller) and determine which wire gauge you need, the correct gauge to give you a 5% (or less) wire-loss between the PV array and the pump. Connect the wires and pipes and lower the pump into the well(the Shurflow will work down to 230 feet!) Whenever open Sun shines on the PV array, the pump will operate. Note that you have used no batteries, controller or inverter. You have the simplest, most reliable, most affordable water system. Next, you will need a holding tank for the water. Install a concrete or plastic holding tank, somewhere near where you want to use the water. This could be underground, or in the basement. Install an electrical float-switch to prevent your submersible pump from over-filling the tank(the wires from the float-switch should be connected to the linear current booster). From there, it will be easy to pressurize the water for use throughout the house. Use your household electrical supply to run a little pressure-pump, such as the 12V Shurflow IPP-12. This is the simplest way to operate a drilled well, using PV power. With this system you avoid having to design the electrical system to be so huge as to handle start-up current. You are avoiding the costly use of a controller and inverter. In preparation for times when there is no available open sunlight you have stored water, rather than electricity!
Mark your 2005 calendars now for the following events: SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2005 Renewable Energy for our Homes, Farms and Community. Flesherton Kinplex Arena, 1 - 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2005 CFRE Annual General Meeting & Workshop YMCA Paradise Lake Centre, St. Clements
NET METERING: INDIVIDUAL ENERGY SHARING
Over the past ten years I have participated in numerous workshops on Renewable Energy. Invariably, I would hear how someone was going to build an energy efficient home and be independent of the electricity grid. Upon hearing this , I would feel how incredibly courageous or naive that person was. But to me such a giant leap was unrealistic. I was happy living in my home and didn't possess the physical ability or the finances to make enormous changes. Although I supported these individuals, I privately prayed for a personal path into renewable energy and simple lifestyle. My prayers were answered, and part of the answer included a net metering program which was made available to Ontario residents this past year. I could now remain on the grid, produce my own electricity and supply the grid with excess power when my battery bank was full. I was overjoyed, but how was I to proceed? I first examined how net metering worked. Net metering measures the energy I use and deducts the energy I generate. But under net metering agreements any excess generation cannot be carried forward beyond the next meter reading. In my area and for generation below 10 kW, this reading occurs every three months. In addition, Hydro One does not pay for any excess generation. In order to be connected to the Hydro One distribution grid, all my equipment must be site certified by an Electrical Safety Authority(ESA) inspector(1-877-421-2228) at a cost to me. In addition an isolation switch must be installed and located between the meter and my equipment.A new dual register meter must be installed for generation less than 10 kW. If one wishes to generate more than 10 kW, a different type of meter and set of rules apply. And finally, for the protection of Hydro One a Connection Agreement must be signed and on file. After studying all these requirements I called the Net Metering Program(1-866-280-7712) and spoke to a very helpful representative. I provided her with the following information:
A good lead time of 2 to 3 months seems to eliminate delays and obstacles. The representative then takes the appropriate steps to co-ordinate work with my local service office of Hydro One. I also contacted this office to co-ordinate all that was needed to set in motion my desired plan. I made arrangements for the following:
I was fortunate to employ an electrician who had expertise in renewable energy installations, local inspection rules, the net metering program and the expected time table needed by Hydro One for all work and billing. The electronic layout covers the following items:
Hydro One then sent me the Connection Agreement plus an invoice for the installation of a new meter. This Agreement needs to be studied carefully and returned to Hydro One prior to any work being scheduled by their installer. With proper planning one can avoid the charge for disconnect, as every customer is allowed one dis/reconnect of their service each year at no charge. Once my equipment was installed and producing energy, Hydro One was contacted and a representative came and installed a new meter in a very short time. As well as being very helpful he was extremely interested in renewable energy. Soon after this installation the ESA inspector came to check out the whole system. I found my electrician to be very dependable in scheduling work and inspections. This made everything seem to run smoothly and made the installers and inspector very amicable. My joy was enhanced the same day that the meter was installed when I noticed that the electrons were travelling INTO the grid! In concluding I found this whole experience involving net metering to be a worthwhile and satisfying adventure. To anyone whose situation resembles my own, I wish success and know that our current climate for private power generation is evolving. My reasons for entering the Net Metering Program were based upon my beliefs and living habits. As I had not yet disciplined my lifestyle where I use the same amount of energy that my system can produce from renewable sources I have chosen a battery bank and the electricity grid as my reserves. After conservation, what better way can one take to share electrical energy with the community than through the Net Metering System?
To brighten up the season a bit this newsletter contains a fair amount Sun(solar) information. Too much emphasis has been on the wind part of renewable energy lately. Germany has realized that fact and shifted its support programs to a large extent to photovoltaics(PV), realizing that the high-voltage transmission grid can accommodate only so much additional energy. And that is where the benefits of solar power show up: roof-mounted solar cells produce electricity right where it is consumed. Even larger installations can easily feed their supply into the municipal distribution net instead of the transmission grid. And, since solar electricity is produced during daytime when the demand is highest it minimizes the need for coal-fired or imported generation. I hope our provincial government does not lose sight of this important benefit by throwing all their support behind 'big wind' generation! The net metering program, as reported in personal experience by Vitold in this edition, has been simplified to some extent and should help cut hydro bills for homeowners who make that substantial initial investment. The sun treated us kindly, too, as we participated at the Feast of Fields(Toronto East)with a substantial display. With the help of Andrew and Pirmin we distributed information material and also signed up some new members. The coordinator attended the Toronto Conservation Forum at the Liberty Grand right next to the beautiful big turbine. Sponsored by the Ontario government the attendance was impressive. Hopefully, the ideas on energy conservation submitted on behalf of CFRE will receive the deserved consideration. The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association(OSEA) of which CFRE is a full member,held their AGM Oct. 2nd and Charlie Middleton and I attended. Charlie kindly put his name forward at the board election and became one of the 9 board members, replacing me and lightening my load somewhat. At the 'Invitation Only' Renewable Energy Forum Oct. 4 representatives from Germany, Denmark and Sweden talked about the impressive advances made by this new energy sector, and the energy minister of P.E.I. reported on his province's plan to, within 15 years, generate all electricity from renewables. Ministry of Energy officials attended and hopefully carried forward the message to their Minister that Renewable Energy is a big part of the solution to a possible energy crisis! On Nov. 6 the coordinator travelled all the way to Listowel to help the Ecological Farmers Association(EFAO) celebrate their 25th Anniversary. It was great to see so many of our long-time supporters there and our display received much attention. Looking forward, we have reserved space again at the Organic Conference at Guelph University January 22-23. So come out and say hello! In the meantime may I take this opportunity on behalf of CFRE's board and myself to extend our best wishes for a blessed and happy Holiday Season to all our members!! ![[Display]](news36display.jpg)
QUOTABLES...Richard Rohr
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