After receiving several letters of complaints from Huron County residents over the last several months regarding the effects wind turbines are having on their lives, the county is taking steps to properly address the issues.
At last week's Huron County Planning Commission meeting it was announced that a committee will be formed that will include commissioners David Peruski and Kurt Damrow, as well as three members from the Planning Commission.
"The issue has been one of zoning," Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said. "How is the ordinance going to work in reviewing noise issues and dealing with them."
Lundberg noted that the turbines from Michigan Wind I are still under warranty and that he met with officials from John Deere Wind earlier that day and the group will be providing some post-construction analysis, possibly as soon as this week, which will be helpful in addressing the issue.
He added that a committee would be set up with two commissioners, members of the Planning Commission and possibly representatives from the wind industry so complaints can be addressed and possible modifications to the wind ordinance can also be looked at.
"Noise complaints are going to be addressed, but according to proper standards," he said. "It takes more than someone using a monitoring device to do a proper study."
Lundberg added, "We are looking to resolve an issue."
Damrow explained that when the county first received the complaints, they began to formulate a means to address them. "We started this a few months ago," he explained, noting they took all the information from the complaints to the county's corporate counsel Steve Allen to look at.
One of the issues Damrow and Peruski wanted to address was how easy it is to file a complaint. He said it needs to be a step by step process that is easy for everyone to follow, but also establishes what is a legitimate complaint and what isn't.
Damrow also said, "We felt it would be prudent to work with planning commission and possibly corporate counsel (to get these issues resolved)."
"What we need to address as a county is adding to the ordinance for a dispute resolution process," Peruski explained.
He added, "I think unfortunately for Bingham Township it was used as a testing ground. I think we have to look at our current zoning ordinance and make sure this doesn't happen again."
Peruski noted the committee needs to find out what are the health effects of the turbines and what they are seeing that they didn't anticipate.
Lundberg offered his opinion as to what the early focus of the committee should be. "This committee should intend to look at the immediate problem first; the noise issue. Are Michigan Wind I and windmills in question in compliance with ordinance."
He added that John Deere Wind will be addressing the planning commission next month and will also meet with the committee. Once the noise is addressed, Lundberg thinks the group "can make possible adjustments to the standards" and "compare our standard vs. what makes a project work."
At this point, concerned citizens were given a chance to address the board. Dennis Mausolf pointed out that a lot of people drive by the windmills and roll down the window, but that is when they are moving at one revolution every six seconds. He noted, when they get into the four second range there is a lot more noise.
Curt Watchowski expressed concerns about allowing any more turbines to be constructed in the county before the issues are fixed. Board member Clark Brock responded, "There are no immediate plans for any new turbines to be built in the next 12-14 months."
Addressing the warranty issue, Watchowski wondered what happens when the warranty on those turbines expires.
He added that he has health concerns and they don't necessarily revolve around the noise issues. His complaint was about the low resonance frequency, which you can feel. "If you can feel it, what is it doing to our bodies?" asked Watchowski.
Watchowski noted that his animals are also being physically affected by the frequencies. He said his horses are laying down in the middle of the day, which is very unusual. "What is it doing to our livestock?" he wondered.
He added, "I hope we learn everything we can, before we let anyone else come in. I think before anything else happens, we need to know what it is doing."
After several others spoke, Lundberg tried to offer some reassurance. "I think the idea is to get on top of the situation."
Lundberg said that at this point it would be premature to say exactly what was is going to be done next "when we don't know (for sure) what we are going to do."
"Communication is important (as we move forward)," Brock explained.
Dr. Robert Oakes, also a member of the board, advised anyone dealing with health issues they think are related to the turbines to keep track of any symptoms they have. "Sleep deprivation is a real issue, because it is a health issue. If you can keep a sleep log that would be helpful," he said.
"We know there are problems and concerns," Damrow added. "(But I want to reassure you) the buck is going to start here (with this committee)."
After Damrow addressed the group, there was a discussion by the board as to which members would be part of the committee. Those selected were Brock, Mary Babcock and Joel Weber. Others who will be on the committee include Dale Lipar from the Health Department, Lundberg and Allen, as well as representatives from DTE and John Deere Wind.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Ausra is First Solar Steam Boiler Manufacturer to Receive the ASME 'S' Stamp Certificate of Authorization Ausra, Inc., a leading provider of large-sca
Ausra, Inc., a leading provider of large-scale solar steam systems for electricity generation and industrial processes, was awarded the "S" Stamp Certificate of Authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for the manufacture of the company's industrial solar steam power boilers. Ausra is the first and only solar steam power boiler manufacturer to receive this Certificate of Authorization under ASME's Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code.
An ASME "S" Stamp indicates that a product conforms to the latest edition of the ASME BPV Code and is considered the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification. It is recognized in more than 100 countries as a means of meeting government safety regulations, and complies with all safety laws and regulations in the United States and Canada.
"Receiving the 'S' Stamp certification is a milestone that tells our customers that Ausra's solar power boilers will be manufactured and assembled to meet ASME's stringent standards for safety, quality and reliability," said Ausra Chief Executive Officer Robert E. Fishman. "This certificate is a testimony to the high caliber of Ausra's engineering, manufacturing and construction management teams. Ausra is proud to be the first industrial solar power boiler manufacturer to receive the 'S' Stamp Certificate. This stamp accreditation positions Ausra to immediately begin shipments of our solar power steam boilers to a diverse range of utility and industrial customers."
With the ASME "S" Stamp Certificate, Ausra is also accredited to use the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors "NB" Stamp for its solar boilers.
Ausra's Next Generation Solar Thermal Installations
Ausra's solar thermal steam systems incorporate next-generation Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology to: fuel standalone solar thermal and solar-natural gas hybrid power plants, augment power generation for new and existing fossil-fired power plants and generate direct solar steam for industrial applications, including enhanced oil recovery, desalination and food processing [http://www.ausra.com/technology/ourproducts.html].
The company's Kimberlina Solar Thermal Energy Plant in Bakersfield, CA is the first solar thermal power plant to come online in California in nearly 20 years. The facility generates electricity for California's peak summer demand period. Kimberlina is also the first solar power boiler to be permitted in California and serves as a testing and demonstration facility for Ausra's solar steam customers.
In Australia, Ausra provides solar-generated steam for the New South Wales-based utility Macquarie Generation's 2,000-megawatt Liddell coal-fired power plant, allowing the utility to generate electricity with less emissions. Additional information on Ausra's Kimberlina and Liddell solar power installations is available at http://www.ausra.com/news/media_kit.html.
An ASME "S" Stamp indicates that a product conforms to the latest edition of the ASME BPV Code and is considered the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification. It is recognized in more than 100 countries as a means of meeting government safety regulations, and complies with all safety laws and regulations in the United States and Canada.
"Receiving the 'S' Stamp certification is a milestone that tells our customers that Ausra's solar power boilers will be manufactured and assembled to meet ASME's stringent standards for safety, quality and reliability," said Ausra Chief Executive Officer Robert E. Fishman. "This certificate is a testimony to the high caliber of Ausra's engineering, manufacturing and construction management teams. Ausra is proud to be the first industrial solar power boiler manufacturer to receive the 'S' Stamp Certificate. This stamp accreditation positions Ausra to immediately begin shipments of our solar power steam boilers to a diverse range of utility and industrial customers."
With the ASME "S" Stamp Certificate, Ausra is also accredited to use the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors "NB" Stamp for its solar boilers.
Ausra's Next Generation Solar Thermal Installations
Ausra's solar thermal steam systems incorporate next-generation Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology to: fuel standalone solar thermal and solar-natural gas hybrid power plants, augment power generation for new and existing fossil-fired power plants and generate direct solar steam for industrial applications, including enhanced oil recovery, desalination and food processing [http://www.ausra.com/technology/ourproducts.html].
The company's Kimberlina Solar Thermal Energy Plant in Bakersfield, CA is the first solar thermal power plant to come online in California in nearly 20 years. The facility generates electricity for California's peak summer demand period. Kimberlina is also the first solar power boiler to be permitted in California and serves as a testing and demonstration facility for Ausra's solar steam customers.
In Australia, Ausra provides solar-generated steam for the New South Wales-based utility Macquarie Generation's 2,000-megawatt Liddell coal-fired power plant, allowing the utility to generate electricity with less emissions. Additional information on Ausra's Kimberlina and Liddell solar power installations is available at http://www.ausra.com/news/media_kit.html.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Through the Wall Air Conditioner
I don’t know about you, but I live in Sunnyvale. Can you guess why it’s named Sunnyvale? Because it gets quite sunny here. Many people rent apartments, and those apartments often don’t come with air conditioning. If you don’t want to suffer through punishing heat (assuming you have that kind of weather, wherever you are) then you should get an air conditioner. Now obviously, if you live in an apartment you can’t have a central air conditioner installed, digging up your floors and installing large devices in the ground outside.
Instead, you need a PTAC Air Conditioner, more commonly known as a Through the Wall Air Conditioner. This is the kind of air conditioner you just wedge under your window. Most PTACs have between 8,000 and 12,000 BTUs, not as powerful as a central air conditioners with 12,000 to 60,000 BTUs. (BTUS represent units of refrigeration) But you don’t have to install them like you do with the larger central air conditioners. In addition, if you only need to cool one room, for example your bedroom on hot summer nights, this is an affordable choice.
If you have an apartment with vertical windows, rather than horizontal windows, then it’s difficult to use a through Portable Air Conditioner the wall air conditioner (unless you fancy wedging your air conditioner in sideways). You need a portable air conditioner. Although they aren’t very portable in the traditional sense (similar to a computer desk on wheels) The portable air conditioners vent their heat through an exaust hose, so you can stick the end of the hose out the window, stick a board on top of the hose, put duct tape on the whole thing and you’re read to start chilling!
Become.com puts the deep freeze on high prices!
Instead, you need a PTAC Air Conditioner, more commonly known as a Through the Wall Air Conditioner. This is the kind of air conditioner you just wedge under your window. Most PTACs have between 8,000 and 12,000 BTUs, not as powerful as a central air conditioners with 12,000 to 60,000 BTUs. (BTUS represent units of refrigeration) But you don’t have to install them like you do with the larger central air conditioners. In addition, if you only need to cool one room, for example your bedroom on hot summer nights, this is an affordable choice.
If you have an apartment with vertical windows, rather than horizontal windows, then it’s difficult to use a through Portable Air Conditioner the wall air conditioner (unless you fancy wedging your air conditioner in sideways). You need a portable air conditioner. Although they aren’t very portable in the traditional sense (similar to a computer desk on wheels) The portable air conditioners vent their heat through an exaust hose, so you can stick the end of the hose out the window, stick a board on top of the hose, put duct tape on the whole thing and you’re read to start chilling!
Become.com puts the deep freeze on high prices!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Amsterdam Aims to be EU’s First Intelligent City
msterdam has set its sights on becoming Europe’s first “intelligent” city, with an initiative to incorporate a smart grid, smart meters, electric vehicles and “smart” building design.
The goal is to reduce energy consumption in commercial properties, public buildings and areas, housing and transportation.
The city has chosen Accenture to help integrate the technologies. In March, Accenture launched the Intelligent City Network to coordinate efforts of utilities and city managers who seek to deploy smart grids.
Amsterdam recently launched the first phase of its low-carbon project, according to a press release, which includes:
* A ship-to-the-grid project, by which commercial vessels and river cruisers will be connected to the electric grid when docked, reducing on-ship energy production and related pollution
* The implementation of smart meters and in-home feedback displays for home owners
* A smart building at Accenture’s Amsterdam office at the ITO Tower, where intelligent technology will collect, monitor and analyze the building’s programming and utility data to identify energy consumption efficiencies and lower the building’s carbon footprint
* A ‘Climate Street’ at Utrechtsestraat, a shopping and restaurant street, will have sustainable waste collection, tram stops, and street and façade lighting. Smart meters will help manage energy consumption.
As part of the move to become an intelligent city, Amsterdam is creating a so-called “green energy” company, according to NIS News.
The city hopes to supply a third of its electricity needs with local renewable energy sources by 2025.
The city also hopes by 2025 to slash its CO2 emissions by 40 percent, from 1990 levels.
The goal is to reduce energy consumption in commercial properties, public buildings and areas, housing and transportation.
The city has chosen Accenture to help integrate the technologies. In March, Accenture launched the Intelligent City Network to coordinate efforts of utilities and city managers who seek to deploy smart grids.
Amsterdam recently launched the first phase of its low-carbon project, according to a press release, which includes:
* A ship-to-the-grid project, by which commercial vessels and river cruisers will be connected to the electric grid when docked, reducing on-ship energy production and related pollution
* The implementation of smart meters and in-home feedback displays for home owners
* A smart building at Accenture’s Amsterdam office at the ITO Tower, where intelligent technology will collect, monitor and analyze the building’s programming and utility data to identify energy consumption efficiencies and lower the building’s carbon footprint
* A ‘Climate Street’ at Utrechtsestraat, a shopping and restaurant street, will have sustainable waste collection, tram stops, and street and façade lighting. Smart meters will help manage energy consumption.
As part of the move to become an intelligent city, Amsterdam is creating a so-called “green energy” company, according to NIS News.
The city hopes to supply a third of its electricity needs with local renewable energy sources by 2025.
The city also hopes by 2025 to slash its CO2 emissions by 40 percent, from 1990 levels.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)