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Illinois Co-ops field-test alternative power source A distributed electricity generation demonstration project started by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) Cooperative Research Network (CRN) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) will field test microturbine generators. The project will examine their use as alternative electric power sources for commercial electricity users. The turbines could be used to replace scarce power during periods of peak demand or to provide backup generation during outages. The tests will attempt to determine reliability expectations, maintenance requirements, performance under various demands and operating conditions, cost savings and how the units integrate with existing electricity distribution systems. According to Edward Torrero, CRN's senior program manager, the microturbines could enable electric cooperatives to offer more services. "Sooner or later distributive generation will become plentiful and be in widespread use. It's clearly one of the growth areas for the 21st century," he said. 6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • APRIL 2000 Household energy use decreases Average household energy consumption has decreased by 27 percent in the past 20 years because of increased energy efficiency in new appliances, according to the Energy Information Administration's latest figures on household energy consumption, showing continued decreasing energy use. The Nov. 18 EIA report stated that this decrease is all the more surprising, based on the increasing size of U.S. housing. The percentage of homes with six or more rooms increased from 41 percent to 49 percent during the period of the survey. Many electrical appliances, now in use, were unavailable or used less in 1978, the report said. For example, the use of microwave ovens increased from 8 percent in 1978 to 83 percent in all U.S. households by 1997. The use of dishwashers went from 35 to 50 percent and personal computers went from zero to 35 percent (and still climbing). The proportion of energy used for appliances increased from 17 to 27 percent during the 20-year period (including lights). The survey covers all forms of energy. The electricity share increased from 23 percent in 1978 to 35 percent in 1997. Fuel oil and kerosene decreased from 21 percent to 10 percent during the survey period, while natural gas and propane remained unchanged, according to the report. Average household expenditures for energy were $1,338 in 1997. This amount varied from $1,644 in the Northeast to $1,014 in the West, EIA said. Although the average energy use dropped by 27 percent, a rising population increased the number of households by 33 percent, resulting in little overall change to the total amount of energy consumed by U.S. households, according to EIA. Source: John Holt, Electric Co-op TODAY
Geothermal provides free hot water According to the U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/heatpumpsover.html): "In addition to space conditioning, geothermal heat pumps can be used to provide domestic hot water when the system is operating. Many residential systems are now equipped with desuperheaters that transfer excess heat from the geothermal heat pump's compressor to the house's hot water tank. A desuperheater provides no hot water during the spring and fall when the geothermal heat pump system is not operating. However, because the geothermal heat pump is so much more efficient than other means of water heating, manufacturers are beginning to offer "full demand" systems that use a separate heat exchanger to meet all of a household's hot water needs. These units cost-effectively provide hot water as quickly as any competing system." You can also visit manufacturer's websites like www.waterfurnace.com. A comprehensive question and answer section, glossary of terms, and variety of owner's manuals on each WaterFurnace product are all available. Enertech Inc., the area distributor for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps also has a website at www.enertechinc.com. You'll not only find information on geothermal heat pumps, but cellulose insulation and radiant floor systems. Financing available for rural development Low-cost financing is available through the Illinois Rural Bond Bank to help small communities across the state pay for public works projects. "Because they typically do not retain bond counsel and their financing needs usually are small and infrequent, rural communities often have a hard time borrowing money at affordable rates for infrastructure improvements," Illinois Agriculture Director Joe Hampton said. "The Illinois Rural Bond Bank can help rural communities overcome these obstacles and obtain low-cost capital." The bank was established nearly a decade ago under the leadership of then-Lieutenant Governor George Ryan. Since the first meeting of its board of commissioners in March of 1990, the bank has loaned more than $120 million to 158 local governments for projects ranging from the replacement of water and sewer systems to the construction of schools, roads and parks. The bank is able to provide low-cost capital by combining the financial needs of several communities into a single, large bond issue. "The large size of the bond issue makes it more attractive to institutional investors and lowers interest rates," Rural Bond Bank Executive Director Katherine Parker said. "And the fact the bonds are tax exempt and backed by the state only adds to their appeal." In addition, by participating jointly in the bond issue, communities save by sharing the underwriting costs. The Fayette County village of Brownstown has taken part in two bond issues. Faced with a costly sewer line replacement project, the village used its $355,000 in bond proceeds to raise the local match for two state grants from the state Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. "By leveraging the bond money, we obtained grants that paid for 75 percent of our $1.2 million project," village president Jess Miller said. "And teaming up with the bond bank reduced our cost of borrowing 2-3 percent." The bank can also be used to raise working cash and refinance existing debt. And it now offers a tax-exempt lease program for equipment purchases and short-term bridge loans to communities that have received financing for water and sewer improvements through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency. For more information about the bank and its programs, call Parker at (217) 524-2663. 8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING APRIL 2000 |
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