Renewable now competitive with Base load power - 24/7 dispatchable

this cannot be repeated often enough.
Disruptive technology is here.

for WIND
http://www.isepa.com/about_isep.asp
In a CAES at the ISEP facility, air will be compressed using low-cost, off-peak electricity, and wind that is not being sold on the grid at that time. The air is stored in a deep underground geological formation for later use in making electricity. When energy is needed, the stored air will be released, heated and used to drive generating turbines. The electricity it produces can be used as needed, especially during high-demand peak hours. This process uses less fuel than a conventional combustion-turbine facility.

http://www.renewable-energy-world.com/display_article/308327/121/CRTIS/none/none/A-call-for-back-up:-How-energy-storage-could-make-a-valuable-contribution-to-renewables/
Energy storage technologies can enable renewables - wind energy in particular - to be more useful and valuable, and are a key asset in the sustainable growth of this resource. Many involved with wind energy have been aware of energy storage technologies for some time but have been sceptical of their technological maturity and cost effectiveness, so they have waited to see tangible results of successful operation of these technologies in the field before incorporating them in their plans. Fortunately, there is a growing body of successful experience with deployed energy storage technologies. As this increases, storage technologies are emerging as a real option for system operators, wind developers and policymakers interested in the continued growth of wind energy.


and SOLAR
http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/09/solar-startup-a.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/02/2048420.htm
Two of America's biggest power utilities have unveiled plans for a multi-billion-dollar expansion of solar power supply, backing the argument that solar energy can indeed become a viable alternative to coal-fired electricity.

The company at the heart of the development is Ausra. It was started by Australian solar expert David Mills, who left this country for California earlier this year to pursue the further development of his ground-breaking work.

What makes the announcement more significant is that the utilities are confidently predicting that their solar power will soon be providing baseload electricity - that is, day and night - at prices competitive with coal.

Those associated with the project believe it could signal a paradigm shift in electricity generation.


and pursuant to this, progressive officials are moving forward:

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/timnews/altpowr0913.aspx

September 13, 2007
With an eye to growing the market, Grand Rapids probes 100 percent green power

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

In his 2005 State of the City Address, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell pledged to reduce by 20 percent the city's dependence on pollution-producing non-renewable energy sources. At that time, the city consumed 125 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

By the end of November, Grand Rapids will achieve that aggressive goal one year ahead of schedule.

Last Monday, in a speech to 300 alternative energy researchers, developers, and manufacturers at the Manufacturing and Developing Wind Systems conference at MSU, the mayor may have set the city on an even more aggressive course by asking one question:

"Why shouldn't the goal for the second largest city in Michigan be 100 percent?"

"It was a conversation starter before the movers and shakers in the wind power industry," Mayor Heartwell says. "I'm raising the possibility of the City of Grand Rapids purchasing 100 percent of our electric needs from renewable energy resources. That's the right group to start the conversation with to find out how long it's going to take and how much it's going to cost."

It could be the most ambitious goal of any city in the country, and the timing is ripe as proponents push for a statewide renewable energy standard that promotes Michigan as a serious player in alternative energy-related manufacturing.

...it is very encouraging to see renewables being brought into the mainstream. Hopefully we can ramp it up!