Renewable Energy 101

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 11:00 am PT. This essential introduction to renewable energy covers the basics of how clean energy operates in the U.S. electricity grid. The hour-long webinar reviews renewable energy terms and definitions, types and technology, geographic distribution of resources like wind and solar, the basics of transmission and project financing, renewable energy certificates (RECs) and utility green power programs, and REC tracking systems. We will also cover the state of the renewable energy marketplace, including a brief overview of politics, players, and policies.

This webinar is perfect for people new to the industry, and those who want a broad, high-level overview of the clean energy landscape in the U.S.

Transcript

1. RENEWABLE ENERGY 101 What it is, where it is, how it works, why it matters September 3, 2014 Jeff Swenerton Communications Director
2. Outline 1.  What is Renewable Energy? 2.  Basics of the U.S. Electricity Grid 3.  Renewable Energy Certificates 4.  Renewable Energy Markets 5.  Renewable Energy Project Financing (Plus: If Renewable Energy is So Great, Why Aren’t We Building It Faster?) 6.  Homework
5. Renewable energy is natural, abundant, and clean.
6. Wind Solar Geothermal Biomass Low-Impact Hydro not nuclear not “clean” coal not natural gas
7. Wind Solar Geothermal Biomass Low-Impact Hydro not big hydro not nuclear not “clean” coal not natural gas
8. The Problem With Coal Americans use 18 pounds of coal every day Coal is responsible for 39% of global CO2 emissions Coal provides 40% of the world’s electricity
9. Renewable energy is natural, abundant, and clean.
10. U.S. Mix Data: EIA Electricity Data Browser, September 2014
11. Data: EIA Electricity Data Browser, September 2014 U.S. Renewable Energy Mix
12. A Megawatt Hour (MWh) is an amount of electricity, about what the average U.S. home uses in a month. A Megawatt Hour is 1,000 Kilowatt Hours (KWh). What the Heck is a KWHMWHMW?
13. Wind
15. Solar
18. Renewable Energy Snapshot: September 1, 2014
19. Hydropower
20. Geothermal
21. Biomass
22. grid basics
23. The Grid
24. The Grid: 345-499 kV
25. The Grid: 500-699 kV
26. The Grid: 700-799 kV
27. The Grid: 1,000 kV DC
28. Snapshot: October 9, 2013
29. Electricity consumption per capita 13,246 kWh per capita in U.S. Data from World Bank, World Development Indicators Last updated: September 2, 2014
30. I want to buy renewable energy
31. The Electricity Grid
32. Two Ways to Buy Renewable Energy Sign up for a green pricing program. Buy renewable energy certificates (RECs).
33. The Renewable Energy Certificate
35. Renewable Energy Markets
36. Renewable Portfolio Standards: 29 States + D.C. have an RPS
37. nd for new renewable energy due to existing state RPS policies is expected to b 140 million megawatt-hour (MWh) (Barbose 2013). ure 1. Comparison of compliance and voluntary markets for new renewable ener - 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011a 2012 Millions of MWh Voluntary Compliance (new renewables) a Voluntary vs. Compliance Markets
38. Voluntary Market Breakdown Figure 2. Estimated annual voluntary sales by market sector, 2006–2012 a Voluntary sales for 2011 are estimated as the mid-point of 2010 and 2012 sales. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011a 2012 Millions of MWh Unbundled Renewable Energy Cerficiate (REC) Markets Competitive Markets Utility Green Pricing a
41. Project Financing in Brief Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Renewable Energy Certificates Tax breaks, permitting Legislative Support (tax credits) Production Tax Credit (PTC) Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
42. If renewable energy is so great, why aren’t we building it faster?
43. Renewable Integration Issues Variability Transmission Siting High capital costs PTC Stress Fossil Fuel Availability
44. Historic Natural Gas Volatility Henry Hub Gulf Coast Natural Gas Price, in $ per Milllion BTUs. Source: U.S. EIA. Accessed October 9, 2013
45. Energy efficiency first
46. Renewable energy is the new new thing
47. Where Are the Renewable Energy Jobs?
48. Buy renewable energy
49. Tell a friend
50. ?
51. Jeff Swenerton Communications Director Center for Resource Solutions 415-561-2100 jeff@resource-solutions.org CONTACT