1. Journey to Energy Independence Presented to Bucknell Solar Workshop May 12, 2012 Stacy Richards Energy Resource Center SEDA-COG

2. Content Survey of Regional Renewable Energy Activities Loyalsock Township’s Journey to Solar New Berlin Energy Independence Project

3. SEDA-Council of Governments Public development organization Serves an 11-county region in central PA Energy Resource Center –Education –Technical Assistance –Training

4. SEDA-COG’s Energy Programs

5. Barriers That Communities Face Lack of understanding of how and how much energy is currently being used Lack of awareness of opportunities and cost benefits offered through various ECMs Lack of knowledge about and connection with the technical expertise available to assist in the implementation of ECMs Lack of financial resources to invest in ECMs ECMs = Energy Conservation Measures

6. Working towards Energy Independence Renewable Technologies EfficiencyConservationAssessments

7. Examples of Renewable Energy Projects in Our Region

10. Centre County Airport - Geothermal

12. https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.c om/public/systems/xecW42235

14. Loyalsock Building Electricity Use

16. Why New Berlin? Sector diversity Civic activism Geographic size Population size Mixed land uses

18. A Multi-Year Project Year 1  Community Organization, Baseline, and Education Year 2  Energy Assessments Followed by Implementation Year 3  Measuring Results, Documenting the Process Year 3  Exploration of Community-Supported Renewable Energy Opportunities, Sourced Locally

19. Working towards Energy Independence Renewable Technologies EfficiencyConservationAssessments

20. Community-Wide Energy Audit

21. New Berlin Energy Use Fuel Annual Residential Consumption Annual Non- Residential Consumption Total Annual ConsumptionUnits % of Community Energy Use Oil164,44713,667178,114Gallons20% Electricity6,056,7924,511,82310,568,615kWh30% Gasoline378,140NA378,140Gallons36% Propane5,148127,898133,046Gallons10% Firewood980 Cords1% Wood Pellets140 Tons0.2% Coal1119.5121Tons2.6% Natural Gas Unavailable 0CFF0%

22. The Results…

23. The 2009 Results…

24. Rising Energy Costs Pennsylvania Average Fuel Prices Fuel20092012% increase Fuel Oil ($/gal)$2.45$3.8457% Gasoline ($/gal)$2.35$3.7258% Propane ($/gal)$2.82$3.3218% Electricity Generation ($/kWh) $0.052$0.06933% Sources: www.eia.gov www.pplelectric.com

25. Non-Residential: Project Highlights The entire non-residential sector: PPL rebates = over $52,000 to date to reduce capital costs of efficiency measures Nearly $2 million investment in energy conservation Savings in process –1.3 million kWh of electricity per year –1,500 gallons of fuel oil per year –3,000 gallons of propane per year

26. Community-Supported Renewable Energy To further energy independence, the project is exploring and will recommend renewable energy opportunities for use within the community, and perhaps collectively owned, from local sources.

27. Community-Supported Renewable Energy Wind, biofuels (heat, electricity and transportation), solar, and other potential renewable energy resources have been examined Renewable energy value is maximized when it is locally owned, locally used, locally sourced and meets as much of the remaining energy use need as possible Conservation  Efficiency  Renewables

28. Community-Supported Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Research Technical and financial feasibility research Real-world experience Recruiting tool Decision framework

29. Renewable Opportunities

30. It Takes a Village A 20% energy reduction goal within 3 years was envisioned for this project Research indicates that renewable energy will be most economically viable when New Berlin achieves a 40% energy reduction. Solar thermal, solar PV and biodiesel for heating and transportation will offer the greatest return on investment.