This month marks the final installment of nwcurrent, the region’s clean energy news source. Since launching in January 2005, nwcurrent has provided timely news stories on energy-related policy decisions, renewable energy companies and technologies, green building, conservation success stories and more. We thought we would take this opportunity to look back in the archives to see which stories were most popular with our readers. Taking a look back shows how far the industry has come. 

No. 1 “Current Innovation: Solar Grade Silicon,” by Ron Pernick, nwcurrent, Feb. 2005

Ron Pernik uses Solar Grade Silicon LLC, based in Moses Lake, Wash., as an example of a company providing a dedicated source of silicon for solar PV. The market for silicon saw a shift following a shortage in 2001, temporarily changing monetary trends and chain-of-supply-issues for an industry that was seeing growth of almost 40 percent per year. Solar Grade Silicon LLC was a joint purchase between REC and Advanced Silicon Materials.

No. 2 “Biomass power faces market hurdles,” by Linda Anderson, nwcurrent, July 2006

Linda Anderson looks at the potential for biomass energy in Oregon. Segmented markets within biomass such as “forest thinning” have created opportunities for groups, such as the Confederated Tribe of the Warm Springs, to expand revenue sources while managing the risk of forest fires. Anderson highlights some of the difficulties of interconnection, as neither utility nor biomass producer have the infrastructure to deal with new plants- though utilities have become increasingly more accommodating.

No. 3 “Utilities plug into broadband,” by Michael Burnham, nwcurrent, March 2005

Michael Burman looks at broadband over power lines (BPL), a new technology that has the ability to supply rural areas with Internet connection and provide cheap Internet access should it be adopted in urban settings. Users simply connect through a household outlet with the help of a specialized Ethernet jack. It has the added benefit of being able to track electricity usage in homes. For years, the technology was limited by the FCC over concerns that it could disrupt radio signals, but is slowly gaining traction as a competitive technology.

No. 4 “Solar demand goes through roof,” by Celeste LeCompte, nwcurrent, April 2005

The title says it all. Celeste explains how Sharp Solar doubled its capacity in Memphis, Tenn., shows rooftop photovalics that don’t offend the neighbors, and give more examples of the common man dismantling the ivory tower of solar energy to prove that he too can harness the power of the sun.

No. 5 “Urban wind tech gains speed,” by Mark Anderson, nwcurrent, June 2007

Anderson examines developments in small-scale wind generation, including vertical-axis wind turbines, which have the potential for a small-scale revolution. But experts are convinced the technology still needs improvement. Anderson looks at monetary incentives for urban wind and the various projects in the works that could grant the technology legitimacy, including experiments at the Portland State University campus.

No. 6 “Current Innovation: Wave energy,” by Ron Pernik, nwcurrent, February 2005

Pernik looks at wave energy as a potentially breakthrough innovation in the renewables field. In 2004, there was less than 1 megawatt (MW) of wave energy installed worldwide. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, there is nine to 10 times the amount of electricity generated by hydroelectric dams available in U.S. waters. Wave energy is currently 30 years behind wind and solar, but dedicated researchers, including a team at Orergon State University, are slowly making the technology more feasible. Water currents are 1,000 times denser than wind. Finding a way to tap that potential is yet another piece of the energy puzzle.

No. 7 “Energy Trust launches Small Wind program,” by nwurrent staff, November 2007

Energy Trust of Oregon and the state energy tax credit are offsetting the cost of small-scale wind power up to 50 percent. A 10-kilowatt (KW) turbine generates an average of 900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or more each month, which is about the same amount of energy a typical Oregon home uses. To receive the Small Wind incentive from the Energy Trust, customers must own a site with average wind speeds of at least 10 miles per hour and have no obstructions such as trees or buildings. The turbine tower must be at least 60 feet high and have a one-acre surrounding area.

No. 8 “Grid-friendly gadgets go for a spin,” by Manny Frishberg, nwcurrent, July 2005

Manny Frishberg taps into a different frequency for this story. He examines grid-friendly technology that can run during peak demand. According to Frishberg, the first thing to go when the grid is overtaxed is not the AC itself, but the frequency at which it is transmitted. For this reason, grids are wired with an extra 5 percent capacity. Grid-friendly appliances can run on lower frequencies, which keeps the vital parts running during a brownout and can help the grid recover faster.

No. 9 “Washington: the new Sunshine State?,” by Manny Frishberg, nwcurrent, June, 2005

Frishberg reports on solar power in Washington State and how lawmakers there are working to break the curve associated with high installation costs. Under Bill 5101, homes and businesses with solar systems can earn up to $2,000 a year in credits at the rate of 15 cents per kWh of the electricity they generate. A 1-KW system will take the average home in Western Washington off fossil fuels, according to the article. With the incentives, such as system could pay for itself within 10 years.  

No. 10 “Solar in the suburbs,” by Michael Burnham, nwcurrent, September, 2005

U.S. solar capacity may have increased to 927 MW in 2005, but the industry was still having major problems finding enough high-quality solar electricity to appease demand. Big-box retailers were beginning to pick up on the solar trend by marketing solar as a viable power supply for customers’ toys. Solar powered gate openers and solar applications for RVs were flying off shelves. Today, manufacturers are still seeking alternatives to silicon.