Report: Go Solar, Go Local

 

 
An updated edition of "Energy Self-Reliant States" from the New Rules Project, a program of the US-base Institute for Local Self-Reliance, suggests that every state in the USA could generate a significant percentage of its electricity with home-grown renewable energy. 
  
This report also poses some interesting points relevant to Australia's Solar Flagships program, which will see $1.5 billion spent on just four major solar projects. According to Australian New Zealand Solar Energy Society chief executive, John Grimes, it would be better for the government to fund a large number of smaller solar farms around Australia.
  
The "Energy Self-Reliant States" report states that at least 60% of all US states could meet all their internal electricity needs from renewable energy generated inside their borders. 
  
To achieve such a significant degree of energy independence will take the effective harnessing of the most decentralized of all renewable resources: solar energy.
  
More than 40 states, plus the District of Columbia, could generate at least 25 percent of their electricity just with rooftop solar power systems.
  
In the report's executive summary, the authors state their data may be conservative. The report does not, for example, estimate the potential for ground based solar farms, which would dwarf the rooftop potential.
  
Supporters of inter-regional transmission networks say that while renewable energy can be sourced in some form everywhere, areas with more reliable and higher speed winds or with more abundant sunshine can generate electricity cheaper. The report claims in most cases, these significant variations result in modest variations in the retail cost of energy when the cost of transporting the energy is taken into account.
  
The report argues if electricity is transported from renewable sources over a thousand kilometres away,  the cost of constructing new transmission lines to carry that power and the electricity losses during transmission could result in an electricity cost to the customer that is about the same, or higher, than local generation with minimal transmission upgrades. 
  
Additionally, the impact of renewable energy development on local and state jobs and economies could see state-based energy self-reliance strategies being clear economic winners.
  
As Australia moves towards massive electricity infrastructure upgrades and the potential for renewable energy electricity consumption being some distance away from the point of generation, "Energy Self-Reliant States" makes for interesting reading.
  
The full Energy Self-Reliant States report can be viewed here (PDF)
  

Maldives 75MW Wind Farm Announced

 

The Maldives' state-run electric company, Stelco, has announced a 75 megawatt wind farm project to be constructed on Gaafaru Island, North Male' atoll.
  
The $200 million project will utilise the latest generation wind turbines and be connected to the electricity grid of Male’ through a network of submarine electricity cables.
 
On windy days where surplus electricity is created, excess power will run a water desalination plant and on calm days, a liquefied natural gas plant will provide 50MW of back-up power.
 
The project will not only provide clean electricity and help substantially reduce diesel generator use, but many of  Gaafaru Island's 800 inhabitants will be provided employment in maintaining the wind farm equipment.
 
Maldives President Nasheed is a staunch supporter of renewable energy and this year launched an initiative to make the nation carbon neutral by 2020. A shift from fossil fuels to boosting renewable energy production including wind and solar power in the Maldives lies at the heart of his plan.
 
According to Chris Goodall of Oxford Climate Associates, the organisation that developed the Maldives’ carbon neutral plan, the Gaafaru project will slash the Maldives' carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%.
 
Commenting on the wind farm project, President Nasheed said, "We want the Maldives to be the place to test renewables. We want the Maldives to be the place to build renewables. We want the Maldives to be the place to invest in renewables. We will position the Maldives as a showcase for renewable energy".
 
Related:
 
Australian solar power in the Maldives

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