About Us Introduction   The Hudson Renewable Energy Institute Inc. (THREI), a 501 (c) 3 corporation, was established in 2003 to encourage the use, development, and application of renewable energy through open market mechanisms. The Institute differs from other organizations promoting the use of renewable energy in that the Institute is diverse in its approach to the energy marketplace. The Institute believes that the promotion of renewable energy at any cost is not in the long term public interest. THREI’s definition of renewable energy is broad and includes energy conservation as a significant source of renewable energy. Brought to its lowest common denominator renewable energy starts with the desire of the human spirit to use energy wisely and humans are the primary source of renewable energy. Primary Goal of the Institute   The primary goal of the Institute is to encourage the use and development of renewable energy in a sustainable fashion using the competitive marketplace. This encouragement encompasses the entire marketplace from the individual who would seek to purchase renewable energy to the large multinational corporation developing systems or projects.    Questions of individual purchase of supply from renewable sources of energy generation to building renewable energy projects have become so complex and convoluted that the marketplace now relies on governmental subsidies to furnish monetary support. Among other attributes a sustainable competitive marketplace is based upon customer knowledge and simplicity. The Institute is working on promoting this knowledge base and simplifying the means to product purchase. Who We Are   The Institute was founded to promote renewable energy in the marketplace. The founding fathers of the Institute were concerned with the direction being taken nationally and internationally that was having adverse consequences on the development and use of renewable energy. In the US the states were competing with the federal government on renewable portfolio standards. Renewable project development was being subsidized by individual consumers who did not have an idea of what they were subsidizing while at the same time seeking to purchase renewable energy to satisfy a desire to “be green”.   A group of individuals formed the Institute to bring about change and constituency as it relates to renewable energy. The group of individuals formed the Institute in 2003 and since that time the Institute has opened its doors to parties seeking to join and support the Institute’s mission.   The Institute has taken the title Hudson since the Hudson River Valley of New York is arguably the birthplace of the environmental movement and renewable energy provides a significant benefit to the environment.    A market test was conducted to discern support for such an Institute. Parties from education, industry and government were interviewed. Unanimous support for establishment was expressed. Purpose, Necessity, Justification for the Institute  The Institute looks to provide an unbiased source of market stimulation for renewables. Much of the stimulation for renewables is now taking place through government interaction. There are also groups specifically established with a focus on an industry segment such as hydro, wind, solar. The purpose of this Institute is to stimulate production of renewable energy through conventional market mechanisms. In particular the Institute seeks to encourage the differentiation of renewable energy from fossil or nuclear-fueled energy as a separate and distinct source of supply with some very beneficial attributes.   Currently there are three broad choices for energy supply in the marketplace; fossil fueled, nuclear fueled or renewable fueled. The marketplace should have a choice as to which type it is most interested in purchasing and be able to distinguish the product when received. One should pay the fair value associated with each source. In that way sustainable production of all forms of energy can be created. How the Institute will Provide Market Stimulation   The Institute provides market stimulation through interested parties becoming involved and supporting the Institute. In turn the Institute will support these parties via market development. The parties that are listed will benefit from a robust and well-defined market for renewable energy and will work with the Institute to develop and stimulate a marketplace where they may showcase their areas of resource. These parties will also provide Institute funding through membership fees as well as through grants to support targeted projects or the work of the Institute in general. The types of parties and organizations follow: Education   Market information on renewables is widespread but is inconsistent and in some instances inaccurate. The issue has become politicized with some parties using renewables as an expression of concern about the rising cost of energy and potential environmental deterioration. How renewable electric energy is being sold in the market place, using renewable energy credits or green tags as a price adder, demonstrates many misperceptions on the part of the press that reports on use. The press frequently states that a party in buying attributes is buying associated renewable supply simultaneously. Programs promoting understanding as well as addressing some of the myths that have arisen around the use of renewables need to be developed. Not only is the use of research in the hard sciences concerning renewable products or sources of supply useful but also research into the societal and socioeconomic benefits of renewables would be helpful in stimulating the markets for supply. Environmentalists   Environmentalists need to take positions on the suitability and use of renewable sources of supply. To do otherwise is to support the use of fossil or nuclear fuels. Environmentalists need to become engaged in the promotion of renewable energy specifically in regard to the technologies they can support. In planning, siting, and permitting projects environmentalists may be very helpful but such help must be proactive. Renewable Energy Project Developers   Project developers should look to the Institute to provide support for renewable energy projects by assisting in gathering supportive facts relating to positive project impacts, by providing background support that a developer might require, by acting as a source of market information that the developer may draw from to support his or her project, and by appearing at designated times to directly support a project as appropriate. Original Equipment Manufacturers    Manufacturers of solar panels, wind turbines, biomass plants, water turbines to name a few of the most commonly recognized products, would be encouraged to participate and draw from the support of the Institute. Manufacturers such as GE who supply wind turbines, hydro turbines, and solar panels may use the Institute to promote their products as well as drawing from the Institute to provide better market direction and designs. Shell may do the same looking at solar panels, sources of hydrogen, and biofuels as lines of business, which require market support. IBM would be interested in the use of technology to make and keep systems operational. In its consulting business IBM may additionally find opportunities for helping renewable energy market participants remain cost effective and competitive. Energy Producers and Transporters   Utilities that have no source of supply but are simply transporters who are obligated to provide a certain percentage of their energy mix from renewables are certainly interested in a liquid supply market for renewables. These same utilities have an interest in the diversity of supply coming from the market for the same liquidity and cost reasons. Energy producers may provide a balance to their supply portfolio by adding renewables to their supply mix avoiding to some extent certain types of resource dependencies. Professional and Trade Organizations   Consultants, engineers, contractors, attorneys, and trade organizations such as IPPNY or the Independent Power Producers of New York may all have an interest in the Institute depending upon their market line. Many of these organizations need to be kept up to speed with cogent market information. Government   Government plays a vital role in developing and assuring a non-discriminatory marketplace. Whether the DOE, EPA, or state and local parts of government, there is a vital role they all play in the development and maintenance of the marketplace. The Institute will encourage government to allow market forces to determine the marketplace. Financial Community   Probably more than any other sector the financial community has an interest in the renewable energy credit or premium energy commodity market becoming a viable liquid market. This allows the financial community to accommodate the marketplace in the same fashion that it handles other commodities. Inconsistency across state borders, in defining products traded, and market illiquidity all add costs to the system of attribute trading that reduces net margins. Brokerage houses, banks, hedge funds should all be thought of as being part of this group entitled the financial community. Other Interested Parties    There is a universe of other interested parties who would like to promote and use renewable energy. There are individuals and foundations whose mission it is to support the application and use of renewable energy. The competitive marketplace affords a good vehicle to promote such interests.