Advanced Energy Perspectives

Maine took a step forward in the race to install the first U.S. offshore wind turbines with the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voting last month to approve a power-purchase contract for a pilot project. The Maine Aqua Ventus project would include two 6 megawatt (MW) floating turbines.

Maine Aqua Ventus is proposed by Maine Prime Technologies, a consortium consisting of the University of Maine, Cianbro Corp. (an AEE member company), and Emera, Inc. The group launched the nation’s first prototype offshore wind floating turbine, a one-eighth-scale model, along Maine’s shore last spring.

In 2008, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Green Communities Act, a comprehensive energy reform law. Six years later, Massachusetts has enjoyed the fruits of that leadership, being cited three years in a row as the top-rated state in the country for energy efficiency by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

At the end of December, the Patrick administration delivered another energy-policy tour de force.  The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) – the Commonwealth’s public utility commission – issued a sweeping order to modernize the utility system. The impact of that order in changing the way electricity is distributed and the way investments in the power grid are authorized may ultimately be as great as the Green Communities Act itself. 

At the end of December, news outlets were reporting a startling development.  Energy use in US homes had fallen to 2001 levels. This reduction in energy demand happened while more of us are using computers as a part of our daily (i.e., non-business) lives and all sorts of electronic gadgets litter our homes.

There are many reasons for this. More laptops and fewer desktop models mean less energy demand even though we use computers more. Now tablets and phones are multiplying as well, but competing over weight, size and battery life – all of which means using energy more efficiently. LED backlighting has made many flat-screen TVs – energy hogs when they were first introduced – more energy efficient than the old cathode ray tube models.

The 1988 Baltimore Orioles had a bad season – the worst losing streak in baseball history – when they chalked up 21 losses before winning a game.  Opponents of advanced energy surpassed this record, going 0-26 in 2013 for bills introduced to roll back or eliminate renewable and energy efficiency standards. The latest loss took place in Ohio, just this month – which means another win for advanced energy. 

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has issued its seventh annual ranking of states based on energy efficiency policies and programs. Three years ago, Massachusetts dethroned the perennial leader – California – and has retained the top spot once again.