The document discusses the benefits of distributed renewable energy in Kentucky, noting that the state has significant potential for roof and ground solar, highway solar, and combined heat and power. It outlines the lower costs, job creation opportunities, and grid support of local clean energy compared to centralized power sources. Barriers to greater adoption such as intermittency concerns can be addressed through geographic dispersion of projects and innovative utility policies and programs.
1. Clean, Local Energy
The Value and Power of Distributed Renewable Energy in Kentucky
John Farrell, Director
Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program
jfarrell@ilsr.org
612.276.3456 x210
Presentation on Aug. 31, 2011
2. ILSR’s Unique Perspective
Yesterday Tomorrow
Centralized Power Clean, local power
Solar PV
power plant
Storage Storage
Transmission network
Storage
Storage
House
Local CHP plant
Distribution network House with
domestic CHP
Wind
power
Factory Commercial plant
building
3. Why Clean, Local Energy?
Enormous Potential
31 states could be electricity self-reliant
5. Why Clean, Local Energy?
KY Renewable Potential
CHP
Hydro3%
2%
Wind
2%
Rooftop Solar
19%
Other
74%
6. Why Clean, Local Energy?
KY Renewable Potential
CHP
Hydro3%
2% 10% of right-of-way
Wind
2% on 23,000 miles of roads
Rooftop Solar
19%
Other
51%
Highway Solar
23%
7. Why Clean, Local Energy?
KY Renewable Potential
CHP
Hydro3%
2%
Wind
2%
Rooftop Solar
19%
Ground Solar
51%
Highway Solar
23%
8. Value of Clean, Local Power
• Cost for power
• Value of energy
• Value of jobs and economic
development
• Value of local ownership
9. Value of Clean, Local Power
Price per kWh
Includes federal incentives
CHP
Hydro
Wind
5 cents
7 cents
17 cents
All Solar
10. Value of Clean, Local Power
Energy
$5 per Watt
Distributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh
11. Value of Clean, Local Power
Grid Benefits
Distributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh
12. Value of Clean, Local Power
Social Benefits
Distributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh
13. Value of Clean, Local Power
Ex// Grid Benefits
4 cents per kWh
in addition to
electricity
Palo Alto, CA, municipal utility
14. Value of Clean, Local Power
Jobs
Putting Renewables to Work: How Many Jobs Can the Clean Energy Industry Create? (UC Berkeley)
15. Value of Clean, Local Power
Local Benefits
Local Ownership Boosts Impact of Renewables
16. Value of Clean, Local Power
Public Support
No local ownership (–44)
50%
Local ownership (+33)
40% 41
36
30% 33
24
20% 21
10% 11 12
10
5
0% 2 3 2
very negative negative neutral positive very positive don’t know
Attitude towards increased use of local wind energy
17. Addressing Barriers to Clean, Local Power
• Backup / intermittency
• Local grid capacity
• Economies of scale
• Policy
20. Barriers
Distribution Grid
no bust
15%, or
• Utilities in California (and elsewhere)
generally agree that 15% distributed
generation on a local distribution
circuit is the threshold for any problems.
Democratizing the Electricity System (ILSR, 2011)
21. Barriers
Economies of Scale
Smaller Wind Projects are Cheapest
22. Barriers
Economies of Scale
Most solar
economies of scale
captured small
23. Barriers
Local Policy
17%
Solutions from Vote Solar’s Project:Permit
24. Illustrations of Clean, Local Power
• Local wind: Willmar Municipal Utility
• Community solar
• Sol Partners by United Power co-op
• SimpleSolar by FL Keys Electric Co-op
• SunSmart by City of St. George
• Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
25. Illustrations
Willmar Municipal Utility
• Willmar, MN:
population 20,000
• Two 2-MW turbines
• 3% of city electricity
• Self-financed
26. Illustrations
United Power co-op
• Sol Partners lease
• 10 kW solar farm
• Members can lease
210 W panel for
$1,050
Featured in Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities (ILSR, 2009)
27. Illustrations
Florida Keys Electric Co-op
• Simple Solar lease
• 120 kW solar farm
• Members can lease
175 W panel for
$999, 25 years
Featured in Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities (ILSR, 2009)
28. Illustrations
City of St. George, UT
• SunSmart lease
• 100 kW solar farm
• Members can lease
500 W for $3,000, 19
years
• Partnership with
Dixie Escalante
Electric (co-op)
Featured in Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities (ILSR, 2009)
29. Illustrations
Kandiyohi Power
• Rural cooperative
• Wants to emulate United Power solar
model
30. Thank you!
John Farrell
energyselfreliantstates.org
jfarrell@ilsr.org
johnffarrell
612-276-3456 x210