An Introduction to Renewable Energy Frank R. Leslie, B. S. E. E., M. S. Space Technology 10/10/2002, Rev. 1.4 (321) (321)

Distributed Generation (DG) Distributed generation occurs when power is generated (converted) locally and might be shared with or sold to neighbors through the electrical grid Distributed generation avoids the losses that occur in transmission over long distances; energy used nearby Varying wind and sunshine averages across several houses, blocks, cities, or states Supply is robust, but precautions are required to protect electricity workers when main base-load power is out and system may feed back into powerlines Revised

Generic Trades in Energy Energy trade-offs are required to make rational decisions PV is expensive ($5 per watt for hardware + $5 per watt for shipping and installation = $10 per watt) compared to wind energy ( $1.5 per watt for hardware + $5 per watt for installation = $6 per watt total ) Are Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) better to use? Ref.: pictures/general/ windfarm/index.asp?i=2 Ref.: on/story/story- images/solar.jpeg Photo of FPL’s Cape Canaveral Plant by F. Leslie, 2001 Revised

Legal Aspects and Other Complications PURPA: Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of Utility purchase from and sale of power to qualified facilities; avoided costs Power Plant Siting Act provides regulation by FERC Energy Policy Act of 1992 leads to deregulation Investment taxes favor conventional power High initial cost dissuades potential renewable energy users Lack of state-level net metering hinders offsetting costs Renewable energy credits needed to offset unlikely carbon tax on fossil fuels and “externalities” (pollution, health, etc.) “NIMBYs” rally to insist “Not In My Backyard”! Need to consider beyond the first action; the results, and then what? Revised

Conclusion Renewable energy offers a long-term approach to the World’s energy needs Economics drives the selection process and short-term (first cost) thinking leads to disregard of long-term, overall cost Increasing oil, gas, and coal prices will ensure that the transition to renewable energy will occur ― How will we choose to do it? Revised

References: Books Brower, Michael. Cool Energy. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press, , TJ807.9.U6B76, ’4’0973. Duffie, John and William A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 920 pp., 1991 Gipe, Paul. Wind Energy for Home & Business. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Pub. Co., , TJ820.G57, 621.4’5 Patel, Mukund R. Wind and Solar Power Systems. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1999, 351 pp. ISBN , TK1541.P , ’2136 Sørensen, Bent. Renewable Energy, Second Edition. San Diego: Academic Press, 2000, 911 pp. ISBN Revised

References: Websites, etc. Revised Wind Energy elist Wind energy home powersite elist geothermal.marin.org/ on geothermal energy rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/maps/chap2/2-01m.html PNNL wind energy map of CONUS Elist for wind energy experimenters Site devoted to the decline of energy and effects upon population Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on OTEC systems telosnet.com/wind/20th.html solstice.crest.org/ dataweb.usbr.gov/html/powerplant_selection.html