|
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Mission, Before I turn to my remarks, I would like to recognize several special guests here today: Dr. Raymond Battistella, the Chief Executive Officer of SIG the electricity utility for the canton of Geneva; Dr. Jacobus Van der Maas of ScanE,the energy agency for the canton of Geneva; and Dr. Harlan Watson, the State Department’s Senior Climate Negotiator. Thank you all for being here. I would also like to introduce Mr. Steve Weed of my staff. Steve is in charge of keeping our building running smoothly and efficiently. All four of our special guests will be available after these presentations to answer any questions you may have. We are here today to focus on one particular solar energy project, and it’s important to understand this project in the context of an overall policy framework. The U.S. is vigorously promoting sustainable development across the globe. We’re convinced that achieving our goals of improving environmental protection and eradicating poverty rely on achieving sustained economic growth. Economic growth, in turn, depends on energy. Today, however, about two billion people lack access to modern energy services. In order to realize the goals of promoting economic development and improving human welfare across the world, we must tap new sources of energy, while using existing sources more efficiently and cleanly. The blue solar panels you saw outside are just one concrete example of U.S. efforts to respond to that challenge. Our solar energy system provides Geneva with an additional energy source. It increases this building’s energy efficiency. And it reduces emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Just as important, our solar project highlights the pivotal role of technology, and of public-private partnerships, in addressing energy and environmental challenges. I plan to say more about the role of technology and importance of public-private partnerships in a moment. But first, let me tell you some key facts about our solar power system. First, we have installed what’s called a building-integrated photovoltaic, or BIPV, system. A BIPV system incorporates solar panels into a building’s exterior architecture. Ours is the largest BIPV system in the Canton of Geneva and one of the largest in Switzerland. We have 950 square meters of solar panels on rooftops, along walls, and over windows. Perhaps you noticed how the panels jut out from the walls and cast shadows over the windows. With this design, the panels not only collect energy, they also reduce our energy consumption by insulating and shading the building. At peak capacity, our system produces enough electricity to power 37 average homes, day after day, for a full year. On an average summer day, the electricity generated by our system prevents the emission of 360 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2). With an expected life span of 30 years, the system will produce an emissions savings of approximately 1,800 metric tons of CO2. I’m proud to say that our solar system is exceeding our performance expectations, and will pay for itself well before the end of its useful life. Since we put the system into operation on July 5, 2005, it has generated an average of 366 kilowatt-hours per day – although today it’s not quite meeting that level! And as of today, our system has prevented the release of almost 100 metric tons of CO2. 98.8 tons, to be precise. Being good stewards of the environment by reducing energy consumption is extremely important. In America, buildings are the largest consumers of energy, surpassing industry and transportation. That is why we’ve installed low-energy lighting and automatic light timers throughout the Mission. And we’re not about to rest on our laurels. Our next step will be to install a new, cutting-edge cooling system. Its highly efficient compressor uses magnetic levitation instead of ball bearings and petroleum lubricants. This new technology will reduce our energy consumption for cooling by at least 30%. This means we will help protect the environment while saving tax-payer dollars at the same time. Our solar power and magnetic levitation cooling systems are just two examples of the integrated approach that the U.S. is taking toward energy, environmental, and economic security. But we’re not focused solely on buildings. Let me cite some other examples. First, we’re promoting renewable energy. The U.S. is the world’s second largest producer of ethanol, just behind Brazil, and our biodiesel production will triple in 2006. The U.S. is the world’s third largest producer of wind power, after Germany and Spain. Our wind power capacity has tripled since 1998 and is still booming. In fact, my home state of Texas became the U.S. wind power leader this year, a position previously held by California for 25 years straight. Second, we’re working with a variety of partners – including members of UNECE – to capture and use methane from coal mines and other sources. This improves the safety and profitability of mines and makes use of a domestic energy source that is often wasted. Moreover, since we know that methane’s power to cause global warming is 20 times greater than that of CO2, capturing it and using it helps to mitigate climate change. Third, we’re spearheading joint action to advance vital new technologies. We’re engaged with international partners to promote carbon capture and storage, to facilitate the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, and to develop fusion technology. And our FuturGen initiative will invest $1 billion over ten years to develop the world’s first zero-emissions power plant that will produce electricity from coal. Partnerships between governments are important. But governments alone cannot ensure energy security, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. Product development and project management require private sector expertise. Financing requires private capital. That’s why we put a high priority on public-private partnerships. Our solar power project is a prime example of such a partnership. We could not have done it without the American and Swiss companies that designed and installed our solar power system. And we could not have done it without the dedicated participation of the Energy Service of the Canton of Geneva and SIG, the local utility. It is a tribute to everyone involved that Platts, a leading energy information provider, has named our solar project as a finalist for its “Emissions Energy Project of the Year” award. We hope to hear good news tomorrow, when the award winner is announced in New York. Finally, let me underscore that efforts at the national and international level are only the tip of the iceberg. Local-level government agencies across America are taking their own steps to address energy and environmental challenges. They do so individually and in concert with others, testing new approaches and galvanizing public support. You can read more about this in the magazine “Clean Energy Solutions,” which is in the folders we’ll give you in a few minutes. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attention. I appreciate your visit today, and wish you the best as you continue your important work in the Committee on Sustainable Energy.
###
|