Journey to Energy Independence

Presented to Bucknell Solar WorkshopMay 12, 2012

Stacy RichardsEnergy Resource CenterSEDA-COG

Content

• Survey of Regional Renewable Energy Activities

• Loyalsock Township’s Journey to Solar

• New Berlin Energy Independence Project

SEDA-Council of Governments• Public development organization• Serves an 11-county region in central PA• Energy Resource Center

– Education– Technical Assistance– Training

SEDA-COG’sEnergy Programs

Barriers That Communities Face

Lack of understanding of how and how much energy is currently being used

Lack of awareness of opportunities and cost benefits offered through various ECMs

Lack of knowledge about and connection with the technical expertise available to assist in the

implementation of ECMs

Lack of financial resources to invest in ECMs

ECMs = Energy Conservation Measures

Working towards Energy Independence

Renewable Technologies

Efficiency

Conservation

Assessments

Examples of Renewable Energy Projects in Our Region

Centre County Airport - Geothermal

https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/xecW42235

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

January

Febru

aryMarc

hApri

lMay June

July

August

Septem

ber

October

November

Decem

ber

Month

Cons

umpti

on (k

Wh)

2010

2011

2012

Loyalsock Building Electricity Use

Why New Berlin?

Sector diversity

Civic activism

Geographic size

Population size

Mixed land uses

A Multi-Year Project

Year 1 Community Organization, Baseline, and Education

Year 2 Energy Assessments Followed by Implementation

Year 3 Measuring Results, Documenting the Process

Year 3 Exploration of Community-Supported Renewable Energy Opportunities, Sourced Locally

Working towards Energy Independence

Renewable Technologies

Efficiency

Conservation

Assessments

Community-Wide Energy Audit

New Berlin Energy Use

Fuel

Annual Residential

Consumption

Annual Non-Residential

ConsumptionTotal Annual Consumption Units

% of Community Energy Use

Oil 164,447 13,667 178,114 Gallons 20%

Electricity 6,056,792 4,511,823 10,568,615 kWh 30%

Gasoline 378,140 NA 378,140 Gallons 36%

Propane 5,148 127,898 133,046 Gallons 10%

Firewood 98 0 98 Cords 1%

Wood Pellets 14 0 14 Tons 0.2%

Coal 111 9.5 121 Tons 2.6%

Natural Gas Unavailable Unavailable 0 CFF 0%

The Results…

The 2009 Results…

Rising Energy CostsPennsylvania Average Fuel Prices

Fuel 2009 2012 % increaseFuel Oil ($/gal) $2.45 $3.84 57%

Gasoline ($/gal) $2.35 $3.72 58%

Propane ($/gal) $2.82 $3.32 18%

ElectricityGeneration

($/kWh)$0.052 $0.069 33%

Sources: www.eia.govwww.pplelectric.com

Non-Residential: Project Highlights

The entire non-residential sector:• PPL rebates = over $52,000 to date to reduce

capital costs of efficiency measures• Nearly $2 million investment in energy

conservation• Savings in process

– 1.3 million kWh of electricity per year– 1,500 gallons of fuel oil per year– 3,000 gallons of propane per year

Community-Supported Renewable Energy

To further energy independence, the project is exploring and will recommend renewable energy opportunities for use within the community, and perhaps collectively owned, from local sources.

Community-Supported Renewable Energy

Wind, biofuels (heat, electricity and transportation), solar, and other potential renewable energy resources

have been examined

Renewable energy value is maximized when it is locally owned, locally used, locally sourced and meets as much of the remaining energy use need as possible

Conservation Efficiency Renewables

Community-Supported Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Research• Technical and financial

feasibility research• Real-world experience• Recruiting tool• Decision framework

Renewable Opportunities

It Takes a Village

• A 20% energy reduction goal within 3 years was envisioned for this project

• Research indicates that renewable energy will be most economically viable when New Berlin achieves a 40% energy reduction.

• Solar thermal, solar PV and biodiesel for heating and transportation will offer the greatest return on investment.