Planning for Renewable Energy

October 13, 2015

Overview

Between 1990 and 2012 fossil fuel share of energy supply decreased 88% to 87%
Trend #1: substantive increase in energy efficiency but still more aggregate power
Trend #2: rise of natural gas and shale deposits
Transition to renewable sources is slow moving

Source: http://www.thebakken.com/articles/982/top-us-energy-sources-through-2040

Source: http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf

Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution
Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels
Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more

Low-interest, federally guaranteed loans for financing clean energy projects
Research grants for renewable energy research (Example: Solar Decathlon http://www.solardecathlon.gov/)
Allow siting of energy projects on federal land
Accelerating clean energy project permitting
Tax credits for alt. fuel cars and solar power (Cash for Clunkers, anybody?)
National standards, such as auto fleet fuel economy

Variety of state level laws in Florida and elsewhere
- Florida Solar Rights Act
- Solar Energy Standards Act
- Florida Energy Conservation in Buildings Act
- Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act
State renewable projects include strong potential for solar and biomass
(Example: http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/map_florida.asp)
Sales tax exemptions for solar systems

Planners can have significant role in the type, location, and extent of renewable energy development through:
- Ordinances
- Building Codes
- Zoning Restrictions
Primary goals:
- Reduce building and neighborhood scale energy use
- Increase site level and neighborhood level clean energy production
- Allow renewable energy production on public land
- Reduce auto oriented design and VMT

Source: http://www.sourcewaterpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Overlay-Zoning.jpg

Source: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7061

Source: http://blog.2030palette.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TOD_diagram.jpg

An approach to energy planning at site and neighborhood scale that addresses energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy use

LEED is a certification program that recognizes and quantifies green building practices

FSU's William Johnston - LEED Gold

LEED in Florida: http://greenbuildingwire.com/LEED-certified-building-FL

Addresses neighborhood level energy systems, centralized (but highly localized) energy production
Pursues sustainable land use patterns: Compact, Mixed-Use, Walkable/Bikable Layouts
Often includes green infrastructure deployments
Considers affordable housing and inclusive mobility
Projects range in size: quarter mile pedestrian shed (approx 125 acres) to half mile shed (approx 320 acres), but can be less/more depending on context