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Renewable Energy
- "Does Integrys Energy Group invest in renewable energy?"
- Yes, we do.
- "Do Integrys Energy Group's companies offer renewable energy options to customers?"
- Yes, they do.
Background
Nature itself offers some of the most exciting opportunities to produce environmentally friendly energy. The sun, wind, water — all of these offer the potential to power our lives and sustain our world. Methane, a byproduct of landfill gas and farm waste, can be cleaned and used to take the place of natural gas, or it can power a turbine to produce electricity. As of 2006, 7% of energy used in the United States came from renewable sources.
The Integrys Viewpoint
Integrys Energy Group views renewable energy as an important way to protect the environment. We have invested in renewable energy, both proactively and in response to renewable energy mandates by state government. And we will continue to pursue innovative renewable technologies and conduct rigorous analysis to see how renewable energy can fit into our energy supply decisions.
We believe:
- We need to help the public understand the cost and reliability of renewable energy. Renewable energy is good for the environment, but like many good things, it comes at a price. This limitation is often overlooked when discussing solutions to climate change. The simple fact is, renewable energy costs more, and it's not as reliable as fossil fuel-generated energy. In terms of reliability, renewable energy is only as reliable as the resource it uses. Utility-scale wind turbines in Wisconsin, for example, typically generate 28% to 32% of their rated energy output each year. If the wind isn't blowing, the wind turbines aren't generating electricity. This isn't to say that we should avoid renewable energy. However, we need to help customers understand what to expect and why renewable energy is only one part of a larger solution to environmental concerns.
- Government renewable energy mandates should allow business to consider the full range of renewable resources. Some state governments have mandated that utilities include a certain percentage of renewable energy in their generation mix. Often, these mandates exclude hydroelectric generation as a renewable resource, or they require that any renewable energy come from in-state resources. In essence, a desire for economic development becomes intertwined with renewable policy. Integrys Energy Group believes that giving energy companies the full range of options for renewable energy is the most efficient and economical way to meet the states' ultimate goal: more energy that's good for the environment.
Our Actions
Integrys Energy Group companies offer renewable energy education and programs. We are:
- Building wind generation. Wisconsin Public Service has been harnessing
the power of the wind for more than a decade. Now, to help meet renewable energy
requirements, the utility is purchasing additional wind turbines. Current wind
projects are the following:
Wind Project Location Capacity Year Lincoln Wind Energy Facility Town of Lincoln, Wisconsin - 9.24 megawatts
- Equivalent to the average annual energy used by about 3,600 homes
Built in 1997 Glenmore Wind Energy Facility Near Green Bay, Wisconsin - 1,200 kilowatts
- Equivalent to the average annual energy used by about 450 homes
Built in 1998 Forward Wind Energy Center Northern Dodge and southern Fond du Lac counties, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Public Service portion of project, 57.5 megawatts
- Equivalent to the average annual energy used by about 20,000 homes
Began operating in 2008 High Country Wind Project Dodge and Olmsted counties, Minnesota - Wisconsin Public Service portion of project, 150 megawatts
- Equivalent to the average annual energy used by about 58,000 homes
Construction schedule depends on Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) transmission interconnection timeline Crane Creek Wind Project Riceville, Iowa - 99 megawatts
- Equivalent to the average annual energy used by about 38,000 homes
Construction scheduled to begin in 2009 - Educating students and the public about the possibilities in solar energy. The best way to ensure a healthy planet for future generations is to teach young people to be good stewards of the Earth. SolarWise® is a solar energy and education program offered to high schools served by Wisconsin Public Service. More than 40 schools participate. Each receives a rooftop solar-electric system that generates a small amount of power for the school. This saves the school on its electric bill, but more importantly, it gives the school a renewable energy laboratory so students and teachers can study renewable energy in detail. Participating schools receive a solar energy curriculum, along with needed data equipment. And students can take part in Solar Olympics, a renewable energy competition held every May on a university campus.
- Offering new renewable energy choices for our customers.
Integrys Energy Services, our nonregulated energy
services company, created a business segment focused on renewable energy,
efficiency and conservation. This business approach reflects
Integrys Energy Group's concern for the environment, as well as an
energy market that is increasingly demanding environmentally friendly products and
services. Examples of Integrys Energy Services'
green offerings include these power generation partnerships:
- Partnering with Soltage* to build a solar generating facility in Milford,
Connecticut. The 341.6-kilowatt photovoltaic system will be mounted on the
roof of a furniture showroom. The furniture store will purchase the electricity
under a 17-year agreement. This amount of solar energy reduces greenhouse
emissions by 225 tons per year. It is equal to planting about 87 acres of
trees.
*Grants for this project were provided by the Connecticut
Clean Energy Fund.
- Completing work on the Winnebago Energy Center near Rockford, Illinois. The 6.4-megawatt plant uses methane gas produced by decomposing trash to power four engines. The engines generate electricity, which flows to the electric grid. Using the methane to create electricity benefits the environment, because the gas is not burned or emitted into the atmosphere. The green power generated at the Winnebago Energy Center is equal to taking 56,000 cars off the road each year.
In addition, Wisconsin Public Service offers customers its NatureWise® Renewable Energy Program. With NatureWise, customers can choose to have a portion of their energy generated from wind and biomass — demonstrating their own commitment to the environment. - Partnering with Soltage* to build a solar generating facility in Milford,
Connecticut. The 341.6-kilowatt photovoltaic system will be mounted on the
roof of a furniture showroom. The furniture store will purchase the electricity
under a 17-year agreement. This amount of solar energy reduces greenhouse
emissions by 225 tons per year. It is equal to planting about 87 acres of
trees.
*Grants for this project were provided by the Connecticut
Clean Energy Fund.
- Contributing to technology research. Integrys Energy Group contributes to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the utility industry's primary research organization. EPRI conducts a wide portfolio of studies aimed at developing and demonstrating technology, including a range of renewable energy technologies. This research provides valuable insights into technology solutions that can be a part of a balanced, market-based solution to climate change.