Biomass has been characterized by advocates for an RES in the Southeast (i.e., Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) as the region's main renewable resource which could be used to meet a standard. The results for the Southeast make it abundantly clear that solar and storage is a cost-effective and resilient replacement for retiring coal plants across the region. Approximately 53% of all domestic renewable energy comes from biomass sources3 represented by biofuels, landfill gas, biogenic4 municipal solid waste, wood and wood-derived fuels, and other biomass such as switchgrass. In fact, estimates are that livestock production may be responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions (as measured in carbon dioxide equivalents) including 37% of all anthropogenic methane, and up to 64% of ammonia in the environment which also contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems. You may opt-out by. However, the region's major user of woody biomass and producer of wood wastes is the forest products industry. In the short time since the Secretarys announcement, over 270 investment proposals were received totaling more than $276 million. The Southeast already has a strong base of companies that can make and assemble the key components of wind turbines and other renewable energy equipment. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON RENEWABLE ENERGY With high electricity prices, a reliance on imported energy, and ongoing retirements of fossil fuel power plants, the Northeast has a strong incentive to develop local, renewable sources of energy. Let's dive in to see what this Coal Cost Crossover analysis can tell us about coal plants in the Southeast. See http://www.esri.com/library/fliers/pdfs/measuringbiofuel.pdf. 27 Thus, wood waste may be burned in biomass boilers specifically for "hog fuel" (basically wood waste other than lignin) to produce steam for process uses and electricity generation.28. United States government. Notably, in the Southeast where wind resources are often dismissed, local wind was found to be less expensive than 30% of all Southeast coal plants and regional wind was found to be less expensive than 84% of all Southeast coal plants. Rn?Q&i( =ET/v,yb9j1xZiKM_at$qJ{Dgny? Goals for biofuels production to meet a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) may also mean that increased amounts of biomass would be dedicated to that use. The development of renewable energy projects in the region is an expensive bill for most Southeast Asian countries to foot. The OneUSDA team recommends distributing the initial $25 million investment into four broad categories: Tribal and Indigenous Interests - $12.5 million (50%) Natural Resources - $6.25 million (25%) Infrastructure - $3.125 million (12.5%) In the southeast region especially, biomass may be the most readily available opportunity for meeting RES goals, but compliance may still be a challenge. (907) 586-8806, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=FSEPRD950023, What is the OneUSDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy, On July 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). On April 2, ChargdAffairesat the U.S. Embassy Michael Heath gave remarks at theRenewable Energy Symposium and Electric Vehicle Challenge, the capstone of Clean Power Asia, a USAID funded regional program. Click on a state or scroll down to access relevant conservation resources and state-specific climate change information. PO Box 1842Knoxville, TN 37901865.637.6055, Maggie Shober works to speed the clean energy transformation in the Southeast through analysis and advocacy. All renewable energy sources combined account for about 10% of the U.S. total energy production. Worked with the Government of Laos to support the countrys first-ever solar auction, from auction design to submission of the final auction announcement package. SCCO For example, all-source procurement, which requires monopoly utilities to conduct a competitive procurement process with robust bid evaluation, can add clean electricity and reduce customer costs. Renewable energy project developer, operations manager and energy trading business BayWa re has been steadily establishing itself in the region. Competition alone, however, will not achieve the rapid electricity sector decarbonization needed to avoid climate changes worst impacts. Renewables were used to meet 5 percent of Southeast power sales in 2006, according to the paper, which defines the region as Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and. Presentation on behalf of CleanEnergy.org. Using them. http://www.ferc.gov/market-oversight/mkt-electric/overview/elec-ovr-rps.pdf. Making up some of this gap from market sources using procurement bids and new commercial solar or wind installations may be possible. The results are clear: continued reliance on coal is expensive, and each of these plants should be evaluated for economic retirement through a comprehensive resource and transmission planning process. 80% of contracts to add new renewables to the system by large energy buyers have been in organized competitive wholesale markets, said Bryn Baker, Director of Policy Innovation at the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance. In 1991, a study62of the availability of biomass in the Southeast identified 27 counties with high potential to generate power from woody biomass. The results are clear: continued reliance on coal is. Mike Ewall, Primer on Landfill Gas as "Green" Energy, Energy Justice Network, July 29, 1999, http://www.energyjustice.net/lfg/. Electricity not used on-site to power equipment may be made available for sale on the grid. Unless some balancing mechanism is in place, such as the Bingaman discussion draft proposal to return federal penalties to those states with less renewable energy resources to specifically develop such resources, southeastern states and electric utilities fear that they will become net purchasers of RECs, which will result in a "transfer of wealth" to the sunny and wind-rich states of the Southwest and Midwest, respectively.21 Given the identified concerns over biomass supplies in the southeastern states and the pivotal role the region will likely have in a federal RES debate, issues in this region will be used as the focus of this report. A nationwide renewable electricity standard is a major goal for Democratic leaders and environmentalists. Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, being 21 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100 year period. If you wish to support the Southeast Asia inquiry or know more about it, get in touch with Cynthia Morel at C.Morel@forumforthefuture.org. March 6, 2009. All rights reserved. What are Energy Crops? The harvest of food and other crops often leaves behind a mass of stover (i.e., stalks, leaves and other plant remnants). North Carolina has enacted a 12.5% requirement by 2021 for electric utilities and a 10% requirement for municipal and cooperative utilities. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Even amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, we have achieved our goals through our four activity areas of improving power sector planning, fostering supportive policy frameworks, mobilizing finance and investment, and promoting enhanced regional collaboration.. Home Explore Markets North America Southeast 1,069 TWh Energy Demand 292.2 GW Installed Capacity 11 % Renewable Share Southeast The Southeast region is assumed to be comprised of all or parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Recently, Duke and Southern confirmed they are considering a centralized, region-wide, intra-hour energy exchange called the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM). Introducing a Southeast regional competitive market that optimizes regional transmission and shares resources (key features of other RTOs) would save $384 billion dollars with approximately. installed electrical wiring at a solar array he recently installed at a job site in East Charlotte. http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/faqs/index.html#overview4. A OneUSDA team comprised of theForest Service, Rural Development, and Natural Resources Conservation Service engaged Southeast Alaska partners, communities, Tribal Nations and Alaska Nativecorporations in a process that reflects the immediate and long-term needs and opportunities in the region. State governments have generally led the way in deploying other renewable energy technologies. Meanwhile, broad public engagement, in the form of a 30-day public outreach period, was held in mid-September through mid-October with several of platforms offered for additional engagement. However, renewable energy from biomass is the exception. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Overall outcomes anticipated include stronger relationships with Tribal Nations, Alaska Native corporations, and municipal governments; inclusive, diverse engagements that represent the people, communities, and cultures of Southeast Alaska; an understanding of administrative barriers that continue to impact funding distribution and may include changes to policies, laws, and regulations; and be able to use input gained from engagements to determine short- and long-term investments for the region. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE). For additional information, see the discussion of the investment tax credit and the production tax credit in the federal incentives section of the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website at http://www.dsireusa.org/. In a brief published by Indonesian non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Habibie Centre, financial access was deemed the most important factor for developing renewable energy projects due to their capital-intensive nature. renewable energy, also called alternative energy, usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun ( solar energy ), wind ( wind power ), rivers ( hydroelectric power ), hot springs ( geothermal energy ), tides ( tidal power ), and biomass ( biofuels ). Produced by biological processes of living organisms. Increasing electricity generated from biomass sources may be a viable route for compliance with RES requirements nationally, especially as biomass is already the largest source of renewable energy in the United States today. \+e|We8yx8!x=LO\50f%*H(\(I$ xB8 dg@JH5@fzI:zX&?}`s:9w&Z[FmP}NrLbaYX1s(]l]dhol LtE{ 6&$vu_ZcU5a*rvPmM5clTRI~Q1 For additional information, see the discussion of these tax credits in the federal incentives section of the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website at http://www.dsireusa.org/. Thus, owing to the above points, Vietnam is expected to dominate the renewable energy market in the region during the forecast period. Also called "combined heat and power." Concerns over the potential impacts of a federal RES seem to revolve largely around the issue of whether, nationwide, sufficient renewable energy resources exist and are economically viable. More recently, a study released in 2006 assessed the economic feasibility of bringing in biomass resources for bioenergy projects. Renewable energy currently accounts for about 10% of U.S. total energy production according to the U.S. Department of Energy.1 Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy2 in the United States. For Tlingit & Haida, the agreements are an example of USDAs renewed commitment to its Federal Trust responsibilities and what can be done when partners work together on common goals of sustainable, community-led economic development in Southeast Alaska. Our initial Economic Investment effort will commit up to $25 million in federal funding based on local priorities for short-term, project-based investments. National Museum of American History, The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act - Government Involvement to Remedy Energy Crisis: PURPA, http://americanhistory.si.edu/powering/past/history4.htm. KINGSTON TN - MARCH 31: Kingston Fossil Plant, commonly known as Kingston Steam Plant, is a [+] 1.4-gigawatt coal-fired power plant located in Roane County, just outside Kingston, Tennessee. Another option may be to upgrade power production at some existing forest products industry mills solely for the purpose of power sales. Under the regional agreements, the entities are collaborating with USDA to promote economic diversification and workforce development projects for themselves and other smaller organizations in Southeast Alaska. But this result is indicative of what should be on the table for each utilitys next resource plan. Much of the debate over an RES revolves around whether there is a need for a federal requirement for renewable energy use by electric providers and whether the momentum in the states is truly moving the use of renewable energy forward. The analysis does not account for ripple effects of reduced electricity rates on consumer and business spending or the increased attractiveness of Southeastern states to the growing number of companies with 100% clean energy goals. non renewable resources in the southeast regionan implied power is one that brainlyan implied power is one that brainly Solar Power & Energy Storage Mountain West. The report was released today as lawmakers negotiate over whether to scale back the renewable electricity standard in the bill sponsored by Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Join us for three days to advance your understanding of new policy and opportunities that will equip your business with the necessary skills to compete in the ever-developing industry. Manufacturing, industry and services expanded across the region in recent decades. In contrast, the current utility-led planning regime is an inefficient patchwork system. Methane is the primary component of natural gas which is used in cooking, heating, chemicals production, and electric power generation. This open-ended engagement ensures that investments were paired with a forward-looking approach to plan for longer-term action that are home-grown and responsive to local priorities, complement ongoing partnerships, and are inclusive of the values and peoples in the region. Without additional details, SEEM fails to address many of the efficiencies of full RTO integration modeled in this study like reserve sharing, transmission optimization, regional economic dispatch, independent system operation and market monitoring, and market access for independent power producers. Henning Steinfeld, Pierre Gerber, and Tom Wassenaar, et al., Livestock's Long Shadow - Environmental Issues and Options, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006, ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a0701e/a0701e03.pdf. has suggested that increasing the penetration of renewable . The initial $25 million investment will be divided into four broad categories: USDAs initial commitment of $25 million to support investment efforts is a positive, near-term commitment in the regions long-term potential to support a diverse economy, conserve natural resources, and improve community resiliency. Increased battery storage and system flexibility also reduces the need for seldom-used gas peaking resources, which are mostly eliminated in the RTO by 2040. These investments speak to the opportunities for partnershipthis isnt the first time USDA has invested in southeast Alaska, and it wont be the last, Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small said. It calls for a range of policies, such as low-interest loans and strong state interconnection standards that enable new renewables to link to the grid. But nowadays, possibilities for use include collection of a portion of this material for burning in a biomass boiler, producing steam for electricity, or processing into biofuels (see below) such as cellulosic ethanol, as technologies and new processes are developed. February 23, 2009. Lets dive in to see what this Coal Cost Crossover analysis can tell us about coal plants in the Southeast. This article contributes to the growing academic literature on ocean renewable energy (ORE) in SEA by improving understanding of the opportunities and challenges of ORE development in the region . Wind turbines have been called ugly and noisy, and the cooling needs of solar thermal facilities in desert locations may require the use of scarce water resources. This visit reinforces USDAs commitment to locally driven collaborative work towards shared outcomes in southeast Alaska communities. 29 Inorganic chemicals are used to dissolve the lignin holding together wood fibers, thus making the cellulosic fibers available for the manufacture of paper products. CRS Report RL34059, The Carbon Cycle: Implications for Climate Change and Congress, by [author name scrubbed]. This resource potential represents the theoretical, upper bound of renewable energy resource available at a given locationnot considering technical or economic constraints to development (such as land-use constraints). Retrieved from Raysonho . Considering fuel cost inputs in this range and continuation of the Production Tax Credit58 and RECs producing power valued around $0.08 per kilowatt-hour, biomass power plants could be built in the 25 megawatt size range and produce power economically, according to the Biomass Power Association.59. The American Renewable Energy Act, H.R. Nearly all Southeast coal plants cost more to run than replacing them with new wind and solar, so continuing to run these uneconomic resources forces customers to foot the bill and inhale dirty air. http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/glossary_r.htm. 45, According to SACE's analysis, biomass is potentially seen as meeting 60% of a near-term RES goal of 15% of all generation in the Southeast (by the year 2015). Today, most wood used as fuel for thermal processes or power generation actually is waste from the harvesting and processing of trees by the forest products industry (i.e., tree bark, branches and stumps, wood chips, sawdust, and lignin). Competitive wholesale electricity markets, or Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs), are public-benefit corporations serving 70% of U.S. electricity customers that arose from electricity restructuring during the late 1990s-early 2000s to cut costs and encourage innovation. Further, biomass combustion typically does not produce nitrogen oxides.32, The intensive raising of livestock for food often results in significant amounts of manure and other wastes from the animals.33 Some livestock wastes may be bound up with sawdust or wood shavings used in animal stalls and thus (when prepared) can be used as fuel in a biomass power boiler. Proponents of an RES assert that the Southeast has ample biomass resources to meet renewable energy requirements of an RES. Georgia Power estimates it will require 160 to 180 truckload deliveries per day to supply the 1 million tons of biomass needed for the 96 MW facility. Reprinted from Greenwire with permission from Environment & Energy Publishing, LLC. Tomorrow's opportunities for using biomass to generate electricity in the Southeast include a diverse assortment of options, particularly energy crops and wood resources. They have also been critical to integrating variable renewable energy wind and solar and capitalizing on resource diversity over larger geographical areas. USDA is focused on maximizing its collective resources to provide the highest level of support and service to Southeast Alaska. U.S. Energy Project in Southeast Asia Increased Renewable Energy Investments by $7 Billion, USAID and FHI 360 join PMAC to enhance data integration in decision-making at the climate-health nexus, United States Launches SERVIR-Southeast Asia, a USAID-NASA Initiative to Fight Climate Change, USAID Smart Infrastructure for the Mekong Program Restores Fish Passage Across the Mekong, USAID, DNP, and WildAid Launch Media Campaign to End Demand for Ivory Products. Identifying short- and long-term opportunities for investments that reflect the diverse opportunities and needs in the region. No, of course not. Developed and published financial models for utility-scale and rooftop solar, wind, and biomass power, which were downloaded over 3,000 times and used to help renewable energy project developers identify critical factors that impacted project profitability and bankability. http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/pdfs/ornltm-2002199.pdf. Nowhere is the debate on biomass resources more pronounced than in the southeastern United States where biomass has been described as the region's best hope to meet RES requirements.44. Cellulosic ethanol can be produced from the same types of biomass feedstock as could be used for biomass electric power generation. ) or https:// means you've safely On July 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the newSoutheast Alaska Sustainability Strategy to support a diverse economy, enhancecommunity resilience, and conserve natural resources in Southeast Alaska. Through February 2009, RPS requirements or goals have been established in 29 states plus the District of Columbia.9, A major argument that has been advanced for a national renewable energy (or electricity) standard is that it would encourage increased use of renewable energy. 709 W. 9th Street PO Box 21628 Joint Press Release - USDA, Sustainble Southeast Partnership, Spruce Root, Southeast Conference, and Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Arguments in favor of an RES usually involve impacts on the environment, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. These markets are far from perfect in practice, but have directly connected customers to least-cost renewable energy. In these states, most renewable energy projects are utility-owned. The definition of which types of biomass are eligible under an RES would determine which resources, technologies and processes will be available to meet a possible federal RES mandate. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standardspolicies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources, More than 100 cities worldwide now boast at least 70 . "Our research suggests we certainly have sufficient resources." These states have ample forest resources, generally poor wind resources, and relatively unfavorable solar resources (compared to the Southwest), making biomass among the more readily available renewable energy resources in the region. P http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/glossary_b.htm. Federal support for research and development is believed by many policymakers to be crucial in making renewable energy technologies more cost-competitive. The Renewable Fuels Program requires increased use of renewable fuels every year through 2012. The terms RPS and RES (renewable electricity standard) are often used interchangeably, as no material difference exists in program goals. But despite the global decline in renewable energy prices, Southeast Asian countries have largely embraced fossil .
