Planning for Renewable Energy

October 13, 2015

Overview

*The Transition, Sort of

*Role of Gov + Planning

*LEED, LEEDND, Local  Examples

The End of the Age of Fossil Fuels?

  • 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.thebakken.com/articles/982/top-us-energy-sources-through-2040

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

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

Renewable Energy Transition

  • It's all about energy and transportation!
  • Potential Sources:
    • Wind
    • Solar
    • Geothermal
    • Hydroelectric 
    • Biomass

Benefits of Renewables

  • 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

Role of the Federal Gov

  • 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

Role of the State Gov

  • 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

Role of Local Planning

  • 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

Other Local Strategies

  • Overlay Zones - Not widely employed for renewable energy
  • Subdivision Standards
    • Cluster development 
    • Density bonuses
  • Transit-Oriented Development

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

Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design (LEED)

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

  • 60% energy use reduction
  • 75% of waste diverted 
  • Uses various recycled materials

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

LEED at the

Neighborhood Scale

  • 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

Focused on form, leaves room for energy and green technology improvement

https://www.google.com/get/sunroof#p=0

http://www.geek.com/science/mits-super-accurate-mapping-predicts-solar-power-potential-1557990/

Southern California's Irvine Company plans to install approximately 10 MW of batteries in. Enough to power about 10,000 homes

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