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Barber County Development, Inc. (BCD) has setup a renewable energy
group. The group is to establish education and promote economic development
through Energy efficiency, and the use of renewable sources. The group
would help agricultural producers and area businesses in their energy
efficiency improvements. Work with eligible projects to find eligible
grants (as we did with the Kiowa Bio plant review in 2006)
Projects range from wind, solar, biomass, and energy consumption reduction.
Education is a major part of the group goals. The group will be working
with the area schools on winds projects, and have a Renewable Energy
Conference Planned for 2008 Medicine Lodge, KS. (date pending). Check
the BCD web site for more information in the future. As discussed this
would be a one day “area wide educational outreach” with
programs ranging from efficiency to renewable and an overview of USDA
Energy programs.
Goals, the three “E”
- Education
- Energy cost reduction to Barber county farms, businesses, schools
and residents.
- Economic development
Southwest Power Pool Priority Projects
LGCA V-Plan Presentation
Kansas now has net metering!
Kansas - Net Metering
Last DSIRE Review: 05/29/2009
Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
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Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Small Hydroelectric, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels |
Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Agricultural, Institutional |
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Applicable Utilities: |
Investor-owned utilities |
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System Capacity Limit: |
200 kW for non-residential; 25 kW for residential |
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Aggregate Capacity Limit: |
1% of utility's peak demand during previous year |
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Net Excess Generation: |
Credited to customer's next bill at retail rate; granted to utility at end of 12-month billing cycle |
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REC Ownership: |
Utility owns RECs |
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Meter Aggregation: |
Not addressed |
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Authority 1: |
HB 2369 |
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Date Enacted: |
5/22/2009 |
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Summary:
Legislation enacted in May 2009 (HB 2369) established net metering for customers of investor-owned utilities in Kansas. The rules allow residential systems up to 25 kilowatts (kW) and non-residential systems up to 200 kW to offset onsite electricity consumption. A net-metered system must be appropriately sized so as not to exceed expected load. If a customer-generator produces more electricity than is consumed during a monthly period, the net excess generation (NEG) will be carried forward to the next month at the full retail rate. Any NEG remaining in the customer's account at the end of the calendar year will be granted to the utility. Utilities are required to offer net metering on a first-come, first-served basis until the rated generating capacity of all net-metered systems equals 1% of the utility's peak demand* during the previous year. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has the authority to increase this limit during a rule-making process.
Utilities are required to provide net-metered customers with a bi-directional meter at no cost to the customer. Utilities are also prohibited from charging net-metered customers any additional standby charges, capacity charges, interconnection charges or other fees that a customers would not incur if the customer did not participate in net metering. The estimated generating capacity of all net-metered systems may count towards the utility’s renewable capacity requirement under Kansas's renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
The KCC will establish rules to implement net metering within 12 months of the effective date of HB 2369.
* Peak demand generally refers to the highest incidental demand for electricity during a specified period of time. The definition of peak demand provided in HB 2369 is vague. The KCC will likely need to determine what exactly constitutes peak demand for the purpose of enforcing the RPS.
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Westar Launches Kansas' Largest Wind Energy
Program
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQM209A01102007-1.htm
The Flat Ridge Wind Farm is a proposed 100 MW (500 MW planned) wind-powered
electric generating project to be located in Barber County, Kansas.
BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. is developing the project through
its subsidiary, Flat Ridge Wind Energy, LLC. Construction of the project
is expected to start in 2008. At completion, Westar will own 50 MW of
power generation and will purchase the remaining 50 MW under a power
purchase agreement.
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