Solar Power

Clean Energy Initiative

NDN’s Clean Energy Initiative centers on transforming discussions about 20th century energy policy into a new framework where energy policy is deeply integrated with economic policy and America’s 21st century challenges.  
 
Our Electricity 2.0 Program focuses on the issues surrounding the modernization of the electric grid structure for the 21st Century, including the need to replace, renovate and expand our infrastructure with an equal goal to address the issue of renewable energies, a more open energy network, greater consumer choice and the development of a new business model for the  21st Century.

Skinny Clean Energy Initiative logo 

 

Recent

Gina McCarthy, On January 20, Ms. McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to our 6th Clean Energy Solution Series on the impact of the newly released EPA national standards for mercury and other air toxins which will ultimately prevent 90% of mercury, 88% of natural gas emissions, and 41% of sulpher dioxins. 

'The Promise and Progress of the Electric Car' - On December 6, 2011 the fifth of our Clean Energy Solution Series feataured a panel discussion on the Electric Vehicle.  This panel highlighted the recent emergence of the electric vehicle in today’s economy and how innovations in clean energy have opened doors for growth and opportunities of the electric car. 

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12) -  On October 21, 2011 our New York Clean Energy Forum featured Congressman Tonko who made the case for distributed generation throughout our country.  He pointed out the attributes of off-grid energy both in terms of saving the consumer money but also in terms of long term energy efficiency.  Tonko says Smart Grid/Smart Energy projects should continue to be funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, as they will ultimately engage the consumer with their energy use and resulting energy efficiency.  

Jack Hidary - On October 4, 2011, Jack Hidary, the well known energy entreprenaur spoke to our New York Clean Energy Forum on 'The Gamechanger:  China’s Unstoppable Clean Energy Exports'. Combining his considerable expertise in finance, science, technology and layering it with today’s political realities, Jack's speech  centered on the fact that China makes a rigorous and massive business plan every five years.  That plan, coupled with the enormity of China’s population, landmass, and financial resources, puts a footprint on every country and every major business in this global economy.  

Economics of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits - On September 27, 2011, we held the fourth event in our Clean Energy Solution Series featuring a panel discussion on the the economic ramifications of wind energy presenting the case for investment of wind energy and outlined the realities of wind energy and other renewable energy in the political climate of the 112th Congress.

Transmission Reform:  What Does It Mean for Renewables? - On July 28, 2011, the third in our Clean Energy Solution Series featured a panel discussionon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Rulemaking, Order 1000 and the potential of a modernized electric grid structure to provide nationwide consumers with renewable energy.

The Speed of Solar: A Review of the Tremendous Impact of Solar - On June 27, 2011, we held the second event in out Clean Energy Solution Series on rooftop solar. No longer a cottage industry selling to the wealthy in the state of CA, solar energy is now mainstream and viable in almost every state.

Wireless Technology:  New Technologies and the Electric Grid.  On June 16, we held our first Clean Energy Solution Series on how wireless communications can create innovation opportunities for clean energy technologies and the smart grid.  We also released new national polling which shows public support for new approaches on energy outside the scope of the current debate.

Senator Jeff Bingaman - On January 31, 2011 Senator Binagan, Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee outlined his priorities for an energy agenda for the 112th Congress at a packed luncheon of over 250 people at the National Press Club. The Senator outlined four elements which he said should be at the heart of a comprehensive energy legislation to make the United States competitive in global energy markets.  To read more follow the links below:

Understanding the Transformative Potential of Microgrids and Distributed Power - On December 10, 2010, four industry pioneers; in localized generation and power management discussed the overwhelming success of cogeneration.  Cogeneration has revolutionized industrial power in the US, but also the huge, untapped potential of microgrids harnessing cogen and distributed power to modernize American electricity.  

Michael Moynihan to Present at the CITI Conference on Broadband Networks & Smart Grid

Michael Moynihan presents E 2.0 at Georgetown Energy and Cleantech Conference

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10 

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10: with Michael Moynihan, Dan Carol, Robert Shapiro, and Aimee Christensen NDN hosted a panel on the imperative of moving towards a clean energy economy and how this transition will take shape. The lively discussion explored the financial and regulatory incentives for clean energy development, as well as the necessary legislative actions to put these incentives into place.

NDN in New York - Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network 5/21/10: with Michael Moynihan Clean Energy Initiativei Director Michael Moynihan hosted a presentation in New York, examining the electricity industry and why the uptake of renewables has been so slow. He argued that the answer lies in the outdated and complex structure of Electricity 1.0, a closed, highly regulated network created a century ago, fundamentally incompatible with clean technology and renewable power. It's now time for America to upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network capable of fostering innovation and a clean technology revolution.

Congressman Edward Markey, Nick Sinai, Clem Palevich, Jigar Shah and Michael Moynihan to speak on Electricity 2.0: Envisioning the Future of Electricity 5/11/10: This important event focused on charting a course to the electricity future. In addition to protecting our climate and enhancing energy security, clean electricity has the potential to power a new wave of prosperity. It can serve as a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new jobs and build new industries.

Papers

Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network (OEN) 2/4/10: By Michael Moynihan In a major new policy paper, Clean Energy Initiative Director Michael Moynihan argues that America must upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network, to unlock the potential of clean technology and unleash a renewable revolution.

Solar Energy: The Case for Action 8/1/08: By Michael Moynihan While a variety of renewable fuels have different strengths, the subject of this paper, solar power -- ubiquitous, not tied to any nation or territory, clean and free once capital equipment to capture it has been installed -- holds special promise.

Investing in Our Common Future: U.S. Infrastructure 10/13/07: By Michael Moynihan Michael Moynihan looks at the current state of public investment in infrastructure and proposes a set of measures to restore our national political will and improve funding mechanisms to rebuild and advance U.S. infrastructure.

Events 

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, EPA

'The Promise and Progress of the Electric Car'

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12)

Jack Hidary

Economics of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits

Clean Energy Solution Series - Transmission Policy Reform: What does this mean for Renewables?

Clean Energy Solution Series - The Speed of Solar: A Review of the Tremendous Progress Solar Power Has Made in America

Clean Energy Solution Series-Wireless Technology: New Technologies and the Grid

Electricity 2.0: Understanding the Transformative Potential of Microgrids and Distributed Power

Michael Moynihan to Present at the CITI Conference on Broadband Networks & Smart Grid

Michael Moynihan presents E 2.0 at Georgetown Energy and Cleantech Conference

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10 

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10: with Michael Moynihan, Dan Carol, Robert Shapiro, and Aimee Christensen NDN hosted a panel on the imperative of moving towards a clean energy economy and how this transition will take shape. The lively discussion explored the financial and regulatory incentives for clean energy development, as well as the necessary legislative actions to put these incentives into place.

NDN in New York - Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network 5/21/10: with Michael Moynihan Clean Energy Initiativei Director Michael Moynihan hosted a presentation in New York, examining the electricity industry and why the uptake of renewables has been so slow. He argued that the answer lies in the outdated and complex structure of Electricity 1.0, a closed, highly regulated network created a century ago, fundamentally incompatible with clean technology and renewable power. It's now time for America to upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network capable of fostering innovation and a clean technology revolution.

Congressman Edward Markey, Nick Sinai, Clem Palevich, Jigar Shah and Michael Moynihan to speak on Electricity 2.0: Envisioning the Future of Electricity 5/11/10: This important event focused on charting a course to the electricity future. In addition to protecting our climate and enhancing energy security, clean electricity has the potential to power a new wave of prosperity. It can serve as a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new jobs and build new industries.

Blogs

Visit the Clean Energy Initiative blog for more of our ongoing work.

Clare Giesen's Blog

Dan Carol's Blog

The NDN’s Clean Energy Initiative works to develop a legislative, regulatory and advocacy framework to address climate change, enhance energy security, transition to a low-carbon economy, and accelerate the development of clean technologies and infrastructure.

NDN Releases New Paper on the Power of Solar: Let the Sun Shine

Submitted by Melissa Merz on 8/5/08

NDN's Green Project has been incredibly active since its launch earlier this year.

Most recently, we held a series of events addressing climate change, energy and the economy. On July 9, U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, addressed the NDN community on the case for Cap and Trade; later that month, NDN's Globilization Initiative Chair Dr. Robert Shapiro released a paper on a carbon/payroll tax shift; at the end of July, we urged Congress to support a package of renewable tax credits; and on August 1, Assistant U.S. Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin's delivered an important policy speech on the Green Economic Opportunity.

Today we are releasing a major new report which argues that solar power must become a top U.S. economic priority. To read the full report, click here.

The paper, which is summarized in a news release below, makes a compelling case as to why solar power will help address high fuel prices, combat climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign energy. While it may seem that all anyone talks about these days is offshore drilling, read this fact-filled report to find out why looking up instead of drilling down may be just what we need to do when it comes to creating a clean energy policy that will power our economy in the 21st century.

Accelerating the rollout of solar power must become a top policy priority of the United States if our nation is to address high fuel prices, combat climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign energy. So argues a new report entitled, “Solar Energy: The Case for Action," released today by NDN's Green Project and authored by Michael Moynihan, a former Clinton Administration official who now directs the Green Project.

As a growing global population and higher standards of living increase demand for energy, the report argues that energy has entered a new phase in its history.

NDN believes that solar will play a key role in creating green jobs while building the new, low-carbon economy of the 21st century and that promoting leadership in solar technologies to take advantage of this immense new opportunity must be a major policy priority of the United States.

"As recently as last week, the inability of Congress to extend the Solar Investment Tax Credit, at a time when American families are struggling with high energy prices and industries as diverse as autos and airlines are losing billions of dollars, shows that this issue requires far more attention than it has received,” Moynihan said.

Moynihan continued, "Our political leaders have been treating solar energy and other renewables as an interesting but sideline issue. In fact, the development of renewable energy sources is a vital economic priority of the United States. We cannot afford to sit idly by as higher energy prices continue to shift wealth from American families and businesses to energy producers overseas. We have the know-how and ingenuity and are missing only the determination to build a new, clean energy economy to power American prosperity."

To unleash the power of solar energy, the report makes the following recommendations:

Congress should extend the Investment Tax Credit for eight years, remove the cap on residential installations and extend the tax credit to utilities.

Congress should pass a renewable electricity standard with a solar set-aside.

Congress should step up funding for energy R&D.

Congress, regulators and stakeholders should carry out limited power industry reform that, among other goals, requires decoupling of power profits from production.

Congress should require net metering and so-called net billing for electricity.

Congress and state and local governments should create incentives for homebuyers to more easily finance homes that have solar power or install solar power.

Because renewable power will require better switching and efficiency to move power to where it is needed, government, utilities and other stakeholders should work together to modernize the grid.

NDN’s Green Project is a program of the Globalization Initiative that seeks to develop a legislative, regulatory and advocacy framework to address climate change, enhance energy security and accelerate the development of green technologies to promote economic growth. This initiative is designed to serve as a bridge between key stakeholders in the new clean technology community and public leaders to build the low-carbon economy of tomorrow.

Syndicate content