Wyoming
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at
12:11 pm
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Filed under: Solar News by State
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I set up this format so that people could look for news a little more locally. I certainly did not think Wyoming would be one of the first states to have solar news. Congrats to Wyoming. Note: the Rasmussen refered to in the article is not the host of this blog.
Even in Wyoming you can be completely off the grid… if you want to be
The trend is growing to reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy. There are examples in Wyoming of businesses offering different options – from alternative energy to green construction.
By Michelle Dynes
MICHAEL SMITH/WTE Ron Taylor, chairman and founder of TMA Global Wind Energy Systems, discusses the advantages of his wind turbine east of Cheyenne off Happy Jack Road on Friday.
mdynes@wyomingnews.com
Everyone leaves their mark.
But today’s homeowners want options to reduce their carbon footprint.
For 12 years, the Cheyenne-based company TMA Global Wind Energy Solutions has worked to develop a vertical-blade wind turbine that can withstand gusts up to 120 mph. The 34-foot model on a test site off of Happy Jack Road is designed for farms, ranches and military bases.
But now consumers want to know how they can harness a smaller version of this technology at home, in addition to other solutions for energy efficiency.
TMA President Duane Rasmussen said the company hasn’t sold a single turbine, but homeowner e-mails and telephone calls arrive almost daily from residents spanning from New York to California. Calls for the larger model are just as frequent and come from potential customers scattered across the globe.
“When you are talking about renewable energy, you are talking about the fastest-growing industry today,” he said.
Rasmussen added that inquiries aren’t surprising.
The average two-person household emits a total of 41,500 pounds of carbon dioxide each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Homes heated with natural gas release an average of 11,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year, while the average home with electric heat releases more than 16,000 pounds. By comparison, the typical U.S. vehicle emits 12,100 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
Rasmussen said after an hour of 33 mph winds, the TMA turbine can generate enough power for about 20 Wyoming homes. And the sensors at the test site have recorded wind speeds as high as 104 mph.
He said with the increases in oil, gasoline and natural gas, homeowners want an energy alternative.
“Two kilowatts of output (from wind power) can erase their electric bill for the month,” he added.
States with net metering also credit homeowners for the extra energy they produce. For example, utility companies in Minnesota pay turbine and solar-panel owners who generate more electricity than they need.
Rasmussen said the best states for wind production are typically rural. And losing power isn’t uncommon for rural state residents. He added that some people want to create their own power, relying instead on wind and solar sources with a diesel or battery backup.
“You can be completely off the grid if you wanted to,” he said. “You can make your home into a power station.”
Carbon awareness rising
But homeowners who aren’t ready to become a utility company can use sustainable elements when they build.
People with older homes also can reduce air pollution by increasing their home’s energy efficiency.
David Bunn, from Green Build Technology in Laramie, said energy-efficient construction has existed for a decade. But today’s technology has improved, dropped in price and created more product choices.
People also are more aware of their environmental impact because of the publicity from CNN’s “Planet in Peril” television series and Al Gore’s movie and companion book, “An Inconvenient Truth.”
“People are waking up,” he added. “Until then, they didn’t know they even made a carbon footprint. People are listening.
“Look at the weather. It shouldn’t be like this in November, and we’ll probably hit 50 (degrees) today.”
Bunn said older solar panels increased a home’s efficiency by 15 to 18 percent. Six weeks ago, an updated model was released that captures enough ultraviolet rays to improve efficiency by as much as 40 percent.
Traditional home elements also can be upgraded to improve efficiency. As a contractor accredited under the ENERGY STAR program, Bunn is certified to complete a home energy analysis, where he looks for ways to eliminate drafts, improve insulation and decrease utility bills.
Some easy green options
He said the easiest way to start is to use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are more efficient and last longer than their standard counterparts. Home energy hogs such as the refrigerator, water heaters and dishwasher also can be replaced with energy-efficient models.
Bunn said he got his home energy bills under control by switching from forced air to radiant floor heat. He also sealed the duct work and replaced an aging furnace with a more efficient model. Using the same ideas at his office building reduced its carbon footprint by 50 percent.
Christina Thomure, director of sustainable operations at Grand Targhee Resort north of Jackson Hole, said the goal with these upgrades is to minimize the environmental impact. In October, she organized the area’s first Sustainable Homes Tour to educate people about the options that are available.
She said even if people support sustainable living, they aren’t always sure how these components will look and fit into their homes. She added that the tour featured a mix of new and retrofitted houses ranging in size from 900 to 13,000 square feet.
“It’s a great way to highlight what people are doing,” Thomure said. “We were trying to show a different type of trophy home.”
The tour included homes with a variety of features from ENERGY STAR-rated appliances to straw bale insulation. Some homeowners used non-toxic paints and stains, while others incorporated reclaimed wood, recycled windows, concrete countertops and hot water heaters powered by solar panels.
Thomure said the homes also used smart design, making the most of every available inch of space.
“You can build a nice quality, practical home,” she added. “The costs of energy are increasing, and we know they are only going to get more expensive. So we need to think in terms of conservation.”