Introduction to Renewable Energy Options and Potential, and Electric Systems; Federal, State, and Local Efforts to Promote Renewable Energy (PURPA, EPAct 1992, and EPAct 2005, EISA 2007).
Course
Renewable Energy & Alternative Fuels
This course introduces students to the legal, economic, and structural issues that both shape our energy practices and provide opportunities to overcome these critical problems. The course focuses primarily on the regulation and design of electricity systems and markets, since so many energy choices-the use of oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, the green alternatives such as solar, wind, and energy conservation or demand side management- relate to the way we generate or deliver electricity, or avoid the need to do so.
14 Lectures
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PURPA, EPAct 1992, and EPAct 2005, EISA 2007 (Continued).
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Integrated Resource Planning, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Net Metering and Renewable Energy Credits.
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"State Programs: Integrated Resource Planning, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Net Metering and Renewable Energy Credits (Continued) & an Introduction to Local Government Programs: Municipal Utilities, Coops, and Community Aggregators - September 10, 2008 A look at the state laws about requiring energy service providers to maintain a specified mix of renewable resources. In addition, an effort to create tradable renewable energy credits raises many strategic choices and some Commerce Clause concerns; The special opportunity that user-owned energy providers have to promote renewable energy, and other local programs to programs to promote renewable energy".
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The role of state and federal regulators, the effect on utility planning and grid management, and net metering laws.
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Transmission Challenges -- Central station renewable energy sources, such as wind and thermal, are most promising and easiest to develop in remote places. Ensuring that there is sufficient electric transmission capacity to deliver this power to market and deciding who should pay for the transmission lines are major challenge now facing many state and federal regulators. Deregulation and Its Role in Promoting Renewable Energy -- Wholesale competition drives energy service providers to purchase the lowest-cost option, which will not always be renewable. This requires government to impose standards on the energy service providers to encourage renewable power development. Retail competition has been held out as a great way to promote renewable power, since many customers may choose a renewable option, even if it costs a little more. We will consider the pros and cons of retail competition, and assess its promise to advance renewable power.
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A look at the resources available in the U.S., efforts to mine those resources up until now, siting issues, environmental challenges, transmission needs, and technological advances.
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This resource is not evenly distributed across the country. However, where it is available, it provides an attractive alternative to conventional, baseload power plants.
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Efforts to promote solar water heating, photovoltaic electric generation, passive solar design. Discussion of light easements, building standards, and house value reassessments.
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Review of the various central-station solar technologies, as well as their pluses and minuses; Consideration of opportunities to incorporate building design features that take advantage of natural, non-mechanical heating and cooling qualities.
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A look at current practice and potential related to biomass use for powerplants, and the evolving effort to develop viable biofuels for transportation. Addressing the energy payback and carbon neutrality of biomass and biofuels; Indirect effect of water pollution and waste management laws on the development of renewable energy.
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The oceans that provide bookends for North America offer almost unlimited supplies of energy related to the movement of water. Many demonstration generating projects are on the way. These resources raise jurisdictional questions and logistical challenges.
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A discussion of issues related to small hydro development; There is a tremendous amount of oil trapped in Canadian tar sands and U.S. oil shale. There have also been repeated efforts to promote the development of a market for synthetic gas, derived from coal. For all three, economic, environmental, land-use, and energy payback issues dominate the concerns. State and federal law play a key role, as well; Many leaders talk about a hydrogen future one in which hydrogen fuel cells provide pollution-free electric power. Hydrogen must be derived, rather than simply harvested. Its production is energy intensive and its broad distribution would require a massive pipeline and storage tank infrastructure. We will talk about where the technology stands and how government is trying to help it to advance.
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To what extent can we rely on a renewable energy future to reduce electricity-related greenhouse gas emissions? Which technologies should be given the highest priority? What role will state and federal law play?