RE-Powering: Discussion Papers
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The Value of Existing Infrastructure for Renewable Energy Development
Do you have a site with infrastructure that may be an asset to renewable energy development? Many formerly contaminated sites have existing infrastructure such as connections to the power grid, sewer lines or roads. In this paper you will learn about how to consider the economic value of existing infrastructure that may be available at the site. Find out more about the main types of existing infrastructure on RE-Powering sites and why they are valuable for renewable energy development.
Community Solar
Community solar programs offer the economic and environmental benefits of solar to the 49% of Americans without traditional solar access, either because of physical, ownership or financial limitations.
RE-Powering sites represent a large and varied collection of sites that do not generally have on-site electricity load to serve following cleanup.
The discussion paper below links the need for solar access and the mechanism of community solar to the opportunity of using formerly contaminated lands, landfills and mine sites for renewable energy:
RE-Powering Critical Infrastructure
Extreme weather events and natural hazards that can cause long-term power outages for critical infrastructure also create vulnerabilities for renewable energy installations. Location and building standards and best practices should be applied to protect renewable energy installations. Renewable energy in combination with a decentralized electricity grid can make communities more resilient.
To demonstrate how RE-Powering projects could be a part of a community’s energy resiliency portfolio, RE-Powering developed a methodology that can be used to evaluate the potential for RE-Powering sites to support critical infrastructure assets, including in emergency situations, and to identify specific EPA-screened sites with the best potential for supporting wastewater treatment infrastructure.
The study evaluated over 80,000 RE-Powering sites and nearly 17,000 wastewater infrastructure units. This methodology can be applied at national or local scales to other infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, schools, emergency centers, cell towers, fire stations, natural gas distribution centers, and others) if needs information can be calculated.
Interconnection
Plugging RE-Powering Sites Into the Electric Grid
Are you a developer or local planner who wants to better understand the interconnection process for connecting renewable energy projects to the electric transmission and distribution systems? This discussion paper will help you understand the factors that influence cost and review cycles for interconnection.