China Energy Monthly - March

This month learn about China's adoption of American transmission technology (D-VAR), cybersecurity, rare earth minerals, the first citywide cap-and-trade system and the National Energy Commission.

ENERGY TECH BUSINESS

“China leads major countries with $34.6 billion invested in clean technology” (3-25-2010)
The most recent report from the Pew Environmental Group finds that China leads in investments in green energy markets with private investments of $34.6 billion over the past five years. This is almost double that of the U.S. The decrease in U.S. investments may be due to regulatory deficiencies like renewable portfolio standards. The U.S. however remained a leader in venture capital investment in next-generation biofuels, advanced solar, energy efficiency and smart grid technologies. Some are still skeptical about the clean-energy economy. One commentator stated that the renewable market, globally and domestically, is small and “capturing a share of a subsidized market is no way to grow your economy or revive it once it’s been smashed by a financial crisis.”
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2010/03/25/archive/1?terms=china+energy

Chinese Academic Paper on the Vulnerability of the U.S. Power Grid Sets Off Alarms in U.S. (3-20-2010)
Wang Jianwei, a graduate engineering student in Liaoning, China, has triggered a small uproar in the U.S. military community by co-authoring a paper on the paralyzing effect a cyber attack would have on the U.S. electric grid. Mr. Wang claims he intended the paper to be an exercise in determining possible vulnerabilities in the system, but some U.S. military strategists, like Larry M. Wortzel, believe the paper was meant to inform would-be attackers of the details needed to realize such an attack. Other analysts in the security field have confirmed that Mr. Wang’s paper is merely hypothetical—nonetheless, the paper illustrates what many energy and security wonks have known for years: our electric grid’s vulnerability is cause for real concern. Indeed, the recent wrangling between Google and Chinese officials highlights the need to address cyber security. Furthermore, calls for increased computerization and automation of the U.S. electricity grid will exacerbate the problem. Electric policy must give serious consideration to this issue before moving forward new smart grid projects.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/world/asia/21grid.html

And in today's local real estate news . . .

Dear students,

A beautiful 2 bedroom apartment is available for rent right on the banks of the White River. It is located in Bethel, conveniently right across from the post office. This spacious, dog friendly abode includes heat during the winter!!!!! (you can really crank it if you so desire) The interior is very nice and clean. It is not old, uneven, nor in some form of dilapidation as are many of the rentals in the great state of Vermont. There are many windows, so the lightening is excellent. The spare bedroom also makes for a superb office. There is a market within walking distance, and the neighbors are very quiet.

Rent is $895, but all you have to pay is electric (thankfully Vermont has some of the cheapest electricity in the country= ~$30/month) The drive to school is quick and easy, but the all time greatest part of living in this location is its 200 yard proximity from Cockadoodle Pizza.

I had a truly enjoyable experience living here. The landlords are very accommodating, and repair any problems with alacrity.

This apartment is available now.

[Contact information omitted -- along with any opinions about the insulating properties of "alacrity," whatever that is.]

Symposium at Vermont Law School on March 26: "Surviving and Thriving: Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation"

Next Friday at Vermont Law School, the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law will host a day-long symposium, with a vriety of panels and speakers. Director Michael Dworkin and Associate Director Don Kreis of the Institute for Energy and the Environment will both participate in a panel relating to energy adaptation and mitigation responses to climate change.

Press Release:

SOUTH ROYALTON, VT -- The Vermont Journal of Environmental Law will host a symposium on Friday, March 26, to explore strategies for adapting to and lessening the impacts of climate change. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Chase Community Center.

The annual symposium, titled "Surviving and Thriving: Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation," will feature three panel discussions on climate change's impacts on agriculture, energy and water. There also will be a discussion of how Vermont is trying to adapt to a warming climate. The keynote address at 2 p.m. will be from Victor Flatt, director of the Center for Law, Environment, Adaptation, and Resources at the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Watch the Institute's Director, Michael Dworkin, share his views about Vermont Yankee in the context of Vermont´s Legislative Joint Fiscal Committee. Please feel free to share your views.

Electric System Reliability Standards - "NERC Today and Tomorrow"

The Public Utilities Fortnightly March issue includes an article by Energy Institute Energizers, Zhen and Matt. As part of the discussion on mandatory reliability standards for the bulk electric system, we analyze current enforcement issues and the effectiveness of the standards so far.
The article is only one part of the full length paper, which will be available shortly in the Fortnightly whitepaper database.

Also, this issue discusses interesting issues such as the feasibility of a self healing grid and integrating renewables.

IMBYism with Vermont Yankee

The New York Times has published an interesting article on Vernon, Vermont. The people of Vernon support Vermont Yankee and, among other benefits, suggest that VY has raised their property values and local tax base, which improves the town infrastructure and schools. While 15 Vermont towns passed resolutions asking to close it, Vernon remains dedicated to VY.

My own thoughts, after the jump:

Vermont Yankee - Michael Dworkin Interviews

The flurry of activities involving Vermont Yankee and the legislature has resulted interesting debates. Watch the Institute's Director, Michael Dworkin, share his views. Please feel free to share your views.

http://www.wcax.com/global/video.asp?clipId=4585255&autostart=true

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/87317/