Solar & Wind Flashcards
1
Q
Overview of Solar (3)
A
- Predominantly in the SW, but NY leads in rootfop solar
- Breakeven point is sooner due to improved technology, though some need infrastructure updates for two-way flow
- Regulated locally
2
Q
Overview of Wind (5)
A
- Average capacity factor - 36%
- Not distributed qually geographically; far from where people live
- Regulated locally
- Cheapest renewable energy, good income for rural communities
- Environemtnal impact: birds (maybe overblown vs. cats)
TX leading in wind powered generation
3
Q
What is the difference between utility scale vs. distributed energy?
A
- Utility scale - wind/solar “farms” over a large area as PV becomes cheaper and more common
- Distributed - wind/solar panels on individual buildings
4
Q
How does solar generate energy?
A
- Semiconductors - photovoltaics (PV) or thin film
- PV is becoming cost effective
- Concentrating solar power tchnology - using liquid to retain heat; storage capability
5
Q
What are the challenges to solar & wind? (3)
A
- Intermittency
- Capacity factor - 30% (creates operational challenges for “on/off”)
- Esp. compared to nuclear (92-96%), coal (86%) - Duck curve - getting steeper & creates perverse outcomes
- Not easily stored/transported
- Local siting and permitting issues with utility-scales
6
Q
What is the duck curve, and why is it significant? (4)
A
- Represents the net load generation throughout the day, typically in California.
- The curve becomes steeper during certain times of the day as solar energy generates almost enough to meet the demand.
- But, as the sun sets and energy is not being generated, need other sources of power that can have a black start or can load-follow at peak-demand
- Perverse incentive: more renewable energy –> need another energy source
7
Q
What is the solution to the duck curve? (2)
A
- Demand response aggregators - gain the operational power to turn off the power for the consumers w/ the consent & payment to consumer
- Batteries (solar & nuclear) - R&D for more ramping capacity to meet peak demand
8
Q
Describe the federal incentives in support of renewable energy and their effectiveness (2)
A
-
Direct funding - DOE energy loan guarantees & clean renewable energy bonds (for financing)
2.Tax Benefits - Production TC (effective; no longer need it), Investment PC (offshore, upto 30% PTC as ITC), CO2 sequestration TC, “Feed-in Tariffs” (secure fixed-price contract
9
Q
Describe the state incentives in support of renewable energy and their effectiveness (2)
A
-
Mandates - Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS); requires RECs
- Variable: target %, year, kinds of qualified renewables, penalties
- REC can be for an out-of-state project, but depends on state
- States can double sell REC! - Incentives - Net Metering (beneficial rate + market rate compensation for excess energy)
10
Q
Explain Property-Assessed Clean Energy and how it illustrates the challenge of using public policy to meet certain goals (5)
A
- Direct incursion on high cost > uncertain ability to reap benefits –> homeowners hesitant to install solar
- PACE: Municipality installs solar but will onto property tax
- Solar panel and tax remains with the property, not the owner (tax-lien)
- Lenders (Freddie & Fannie) refused to “conform the mortgage” with tax liens since tax liens get priority repayment during forclosure & mortgage default proceedings
- No immediate solution is available; 3dP could install, own, and share benefits
11
Q
What is net metering?
A
- Billing mechanism that allows a consumer that generates more electricty than needed to sell back the surplus to the utility at retail rate
- The utility would credit the surplus to that customer on their utility bill
- Most utilities would be able to obtain the energy at the lower utility-scale price
- Net metering consumers are not paying their cull share of the fixed costs that would typically be included in the monthly bill (review this)
12
Q
What is the difference between Renewable Portfolio Standard & Clean Energy Standard?
A
- RPS – requires utilities to generate certain % of electricity sales (15-20%) from renewable energy sources
- CES – mandate that upto 100% of electricity sales come from carbon-free energy sources by a certain date
13
Q
Explain challenges that arise at the intersection of renewables and land use on private land (3)
A
- Point - local govt law may place a flat moratorium via zoning law, even if land use typically supports property rights (Ecogen)
- Rule: A local municipality may enact regulations prohibiting the construction of wind turbines as long as it bears a rational relationship to a legitimate governmental purpose, including aesthetic concerns
- Solution - takings challenge (of productive use of land + DPC)
14
Q
If you were a GC for a solar company, what would be your litigation strategy to challenge a local moratium? (3)
A
- State preemption of local law (Perennial Solar) - can apply to any zoning regulation including fracking
- Where a state regulation has occupied a field of regulations (e.g., RSP statutes), local municipal law cannot intrude upon that process via implied preemption
- Certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) authorizes local utility to build s.t., including entitlements given by the state utilities commission
15
Q
What federal statutes govern the solar installation process on federal land? (3)
A
- NEPA
- Nat’l Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
- Fed Land Policy and Mgmt Act (FLPM)
