Renewable Power TechnologiesRenewable Power TechnologiesAn OverviewAn Overview

Sara Farrar-Nagy National Renewable Energy Laboratory

303-384-7514 sara_farrar-nagy@nrel.gov

National Park ServiceWestern Energy Summit

Jan. 21-23, 2003 Phoenix, AZ

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Renewable Power Renewable Power SourcesSources- WindWind- SolarSolar

PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics Concentrating Concentrating

- GeothermalGeothermal- BiomassBiomass

PermittingPermitting

Wind EnergyWind Energy

Wind Energy TechnologyWind Energy Technology

At it’s simplest, the At it’s simplest, the wind turns the wind turns the turbine’s blades, turbine’s blades, which spin a shaft which spin a shaft connected to a connected to a generator that makes generator that makes electricity. electricity. Large turbines can be Large turbines can be grouped together to grouped together to form a wind power form a wind power plant, which feeds plant, which feeds power to the electrical power to the electrical transmission system.transmission system.

Sizes and ApplicationsSizes and Applications

Small (10 kW)• Homes (grid connected)• Farms• Remote Applications (e.g. battery changing,

water pumping, telecom sites, ice making)

Intermediate (10-500 kW)• Village Power• Hybrid Systems• Distributed Power

Large (500 kW – 6 MW)• Central Station Wind Farms

• Distributed Power• Offshore Wind Generation Stations

U.S. Wind ResourceU.S. Wind Resource

R&D Advances

Manufacturing Improvements

Increased Turbine Size

Cost of Wind Energy - U.S.Cost of Wind Energy - U.S.

1979: 80 cents/kWh*

2004: 3 - 5 cents/kWh

2000:4 - 6 cents/kWh

*In year 2000 dollars.

U.S. Wind Market DriversU.S. Wind Market Drivers

Declining Wind Declining Wind Energy CostsEnergy Costs

Fuel Price Fuel Price UncertaintyUncertainty

Federal and Federal and State PoliciesState Policies

Economic Economic DevelopmentDevelopment

Green PowerGreen Power Energy SecurityEnergy Security

Avian Interactions ResearchAvian Interactions Research

Data suggest the most significant avian wind-turbine Data suggest the most significant avian wind-turbine interaction problem in the U.S. is in the Altamont Pass Wind interaction problem in the U.S. is in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area.Resource Area.

There is no reason that avian issues should be a concern for There is no reason that avian issues should be a concern for future wind farm development; any potential problem should future wind farm development; any potential problem should be identified and dealt with before micrositing occurs.be identified and dealt with before micrositing occurs.

Two guidance documents have been adopted by the Two guidance documents have been adopted by the NWCC: (1) Permitting of Wind Energy Facilities, and (2) NWCC: (1) Permitting of Wind Energy Facilities, and (2) Metrics and Methods for Avian Studies. These two Metrics and Methods for Avian Studies. These two documents serve as guidance for siting and development of documents serve as guidance for siting and development of new wind farms in the U.S.new wind farms in the U.S.

Facilities developed following these guidelines have not Facilities developed following these guidelines have not experienced significant avian impact issues. experienced significant avian impact issues.

Wind Energy – Future TrendWind Energy – Future Trend

Why Move Offshore? Higher-quality wind

resources Economies of scale Proximity to loads Transmission options Potential for reducing

land use and aesthetic concerns

Solar EnergySolar EnergyPhotovoltaic PowerPhotovoltaic Power

What are Photovoltaics?What are Photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics – solid-state technology converts Photovoltaics – solid-state technology converts solar radiation into direct current (DC) electricitysolar radiation into direct current (DC) electricity

Durable: require no moving parts; 25-yr power warranty Durable: require no moving parts; 25-yr power warranty Renewable: require only the sun as fuel; run on daylightRenewable: require only the sun as fuel; run on daylight Zero Emissions: create virtually no pollutants over life Zero Emissions: create virtually no pollutants over life

cyclecycle Material Intensity: Silicon is an abundant materialMaterial Intensity: Silicon is an abundant material Recycling: Solar-grade silicon is electronics industry Recycling: Solar-grade silicon is electronics industry

scrapscrap Energy Intensity: 1-4 Yr energy payback vs. virtually Energy Intensity: 1-4 Yr energy payback vs. virtually

infinite for fossil fuelsinfinite for fossil fuels

U.S. Solar ResourceU.S. Solar ResourceFlat Plate CollectorFlat Plate Collector

PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics Flat-plate System CostsFlat-plate System Costs

3.0

5.0

7.0

9.0

11.0

13.0

15.0

17.0

19.0

21.0

1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

PV

sys

tem

pric

e ($

/Wa

c)

Actual pricesProjected costs

Range of current costs

Types of Photovoltaic Power Types of Photovoltaic Power Generator Configurations Generator Configurations

Utility grid inter-connected system

PV integrated into UPS Small stand-alone DC Stand-alone AC-DC Stand-alone AC battery Hybrid generator

combination– PV, Wind, Propane, Diesel,

Battery Bank

PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaicsDistributed EnergyDistributed Energy

Grid-connected buildingsGrid-connected buildings PV connected to the grid can offset PV connected to the grid can offset peak demand, cost, and utility peak demand, cost, and utility emissions. Adding batteries can emissions. Adding batteries can provide for emergency power.provide for emergency power.

Remote facilitiesRemote facilities PV is PV is often cheaper than extending a often cheaper than extending a utility line for sites more than ¼ utility line for sites more than ¼ mile from the utility grid.mile from the utility grid.

PhotovoltaicsBuilding Integrated

Disney WildlifeDisney WildlifePreserve, FloridaPreserve, Florida

Uni-solar PV roofing Uni-solar PV roofing system – Mt. Evans system – Mt. Evans Observatory, ColoradoObservatory, Colorado

PhotovoltaicsDeveloping Technology

Triple-Junction Triple-Junction Concentrator CellsConcentrator Cells

Bifacial (Double-Sided) Bifacial (Double-Sided) ModulesModules

Holographic Optics for Holographic Optics for 3-D Imaging3-D Imaging

Wirelessly Harness Wirelessly Harness and Transfer Electricity and Transfer Electricity

Thin Film PV Thin Film PV IntegrationIntegration

Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrates sun to Concentrates sun to very high temperatures very high temperatures

Uses heat to run a Uses heat to run a typical generatortypical generator

Requires a very high Requires a very high and direct solar resourceand direct solar resource

R&D on several R&D on several technologies technologies – TroughsTroughs– Dish/engine systemsDish/engine systems– Power TowersPower Towers

U.S. Solar ResourceU.S. Solar ResourceConcentrating CollectorConcentrating Collector

Concentrating Solar PowerConcentrating Solar PowerEmerging TechnologiesEmerging Technologies

Dish/Engine SystemGolden, CO

Concentrating TroughMojave Desert, CA

Geothermal Technology

Two basic types of geothermal resources:Two basic types of geothermal resources: Hydrothermal Electricity ProductionHydrothermal Electricity Production

– Steam plants – dry orSteam plants – dry or flash steamflash steam– Binary-cycle plantsBinary-cycle plants

Direct UseDirect Use– Hot WaterHot Water

Piped directly into facilities for hot water, used Piped directly into facilities for hot water, used to heat buildings, or other applications to heat buildings, or other applications

– Heat PumpsHeat Pumps

Uses the temperature difference between Uses the temperature difference between underground and ambient air to heat and cool underground and ambient air to heat and cool buildingsbuildings

0oC(32oF)

90oC(195oF)

175oC(350oF)

Geothermal ElectricityGeothermal Electricity

HistoryHistory– Experiments began in Italy in 1904Experiments began in Italy in 1904– First U.S. plant at The Geysers in 1920sFirst U.S. plant at The Geysers in 1920s– First U.S. commercial plant in 1960First U.S. commercial plant in 1960

TodayToday– 8,000 MWe being generated in 21 countries8,000 MWe being generated in 21 countries– 2,800 MWe of electricity supplying 4 million people 2,800 MWe of electricity supplying 4 million people

in western U.S. and Hawaiiin western U.S. and Hawaii– Hydrothermal resources could provide additional Hydrothermal resources could provide additional

20,000 MWe in U.S.20,000 MWe in U.S.

U.S. Geothermal ResourceU.S. Geothermal Resource

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal EnergyAdvantagesAdvantages

Large domestic resourceLarge domestic resource Resources last the life of the plantResources last the life of the plant High plant availability (over 95%)High plant availability (over 95%) Provides steady base load powerProvides steady base load power Relatively low cost (4-8 Relatively low cost (4-8 ¢/¢/kWh)kWh) Growing marketGrowing market 50 times less emissions than traditional, 50 times less emissions than traditional,

fossil-fuel power plantsfossil-fuel power plants

GeothermalGeothermalDevelopments & IssuesDevelopments & Issues

New DevelopmentsNew Developments– Mineral recovery combined with geothermal power Mineral recovery combined with geothermal power

at Salton Sea, silica recovery at Dixie Valleyat Salton Sea, silica recovery at Dixie Valley– Advances in condenser, heat exchanger coating, Advances in condenser, heat exchanger coating,

and evaporative pre-cooling technologyand evaporative pre-cooling technology

Siting IssuesSiting Issues– Lack of federal policy to promoting geothermalLack of federal policy to promoting geothermal– Redundant EA and EIS processesRedundant EA and EIS processes– Lack of data on impactsLack of data on impacts

Geothermal ElectricityGeothermal ElectricityImpacts & MeasuresImpacts & Measures

Drilling & DevelopingDrilling & Developing– Use air-cooled and low-profile equipmentUse air-cooled and low-profile equipment– Apply proper techniquesApply proper techniques

Production OperationProduction Operation– Maintain reservoir pressures, use appropriate Maintain reservoir pressures, use appropriate

discharge ratesdischarge rates– Binary plants return all geothermal fluid to the Binary plants return all geothermal fluid to the

groundground– Air-cooled plants release no water vaporAir-cooled plants release no water vapor

Circulates fluid through Circulates fluid through ground systemground system

Transfers heat to ground Transfers heat to ground in summer, from ground in summer, from ground in winterin winter

400,000 systems 400,000 systems currently in U.S.currently in U.S.

Geothermal Heat PumpGeothermal Heat PumpSmall Commercial & Residential BldgsSmall Commercial & Residential Bldgs

Geothermal Heat PumpGeothermal Heat PumpBenefitsBenefits

Can be used almost everywhere worldwideCan be used almost everywhere worldwide Are energy- and cost-efficientAre energy- and cost-efficient Conserve fossil fuel resourcesConserve fossil fuel resources Provide clean heating and cooling -no Provide clean heating and cooling -no

emissions from burning fuelsemissions from burning fuels

Energy Facility Siting and Energy Facility Siting and Environmental PermittingEnvironmental Permitting

Energy Facility Siting & PermittingEnergy Facility Siting & Permitting

Process varies from state-to-state Process requires multiple steps, generally

including:- Formal request submitted to the permitting agency with a

statement qualifying the practical need for the facility

- Early public notice

- Public hearings with extended comment periods

- Formal review and decision by the permitting agency

- Set period of time to file appeals before the agency’s decision is considered final

Flowchart of the Oregon Energy Facility Standard Siting Process

Source:

Oregon Office of Energy 625 Marion St. N.E. Salem, Oregon 97301 503-378-4040 Toll Free (Oregon only): 1-800-221-8035 Email: energy.in.internet@state.or.us

Flowchart of the Oregon Energy Facility Expedited Siting Process (for Special Criteria Facilities)Source:

Oregon Office of Energy 625 Marion St. N.E. Salem, Oregon 97301 503-378-4040 Toll Free (Oregon only): 1-800-221-8035 Email: energy.in.internet@state.or.us

Environmental Permitting Environmental Permitting in New Mexicoin New Mexico

1.1. Requester applies Requester applies

2.2. Application evaluated for Application evaluated for completeness completeness

3.3. Filing fees collected Filing fees collected

4.4. Develop plan for evaluation Develop plan for evaluation of application of application

5. Determine need for public notice

6. Determine need for public hearing

7. Accept public input

8.8. Conduct evaluation to include Conduct evaluation to include testing and inspections testing and inspections

9.9. Disapprove or approve with Disapprove or approve with stated conditions stated conditions

10.10. Exercise signature authority Exercise signature authority 11.11. Inform requester Inform requester 12.12. Process appeal of denial Process appeal of denial 13.13. Forward for compliance Forward for compliance

monitoring monitoring

Resources for RenewablesResources for Renewables

State Energy AlternativesState Energy Alternativeswww.eren.doe.gov/state_energy

Permitting/Siting Activity ResourcesPermitting/Siting Activity ResourcesHandout: Key ContactsHandout: Key Contacts

Partial List: AZ, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WAPartial List: AZ, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Permitting ProcessPermitting ProcessThe Bottom LineThe Bottom Line

Time intensive Time intensive Generally includes multiple public Generally includes multiple public

announcements and public comment announcements and public comment opportunitiesopportunities

Involvement is best Involvement is best achieved through achieved through direct contact with direct contact with agency officialsagency officials