Jennifer's Comments

Thank you so much for all the good comments and well wishes! To answer some questions:

The focus of our group project for class is utility-scale solar thermal.

Pamela noted some problems solar thermal faces as the second-fiddle to photovoltaics. I'll add two others to the list: Supportive state/federal policies and incentives.

Andrew, you nailed it: When it comes to solar thermal and other renewables, it comes down to "scalable, clean, affordable electricity." I think it's going to take not only financial carrots but environmental regulatory sticks as well that prompt utilities to incorporate more renewables into their generation portfolios.

Wish there were more articles out there about the maintenance and repair services available residential solar installations, both new and older ones.

Ask a different person and you get a different answer when it comes to this subject. What's interesting: The reaction appears to be mixed among those working in the renewable energy sector as to whether the Deepwater Horizon disaster will help shift public support--and policies--toward renewables.

Massey's Upper Big Branch mine explosion and the recent gas explosion in Texas has not made nearly the same impression on the public as Deepwater. Those incidents are tragic but not as rare.

Reading Robert Bryce's "Power Hungry" book right now, which advocates natural gas and nuclear, or, as he refers to it, N2N. Would like to see a discussion between Lovins and Bryce.

That's another very good point you bring up, Stephen: The limited availability of boats, equipment--not to mention skilled labor--that these projects face.

Bill, Mike:

I think that the U.S. needs to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy generation used to generate power. I also think that while the use of coal, natural gas and nuclear for our electric generation needs should decrease, they are still a necessary part of our nation's generation portfolio.

Diversification is critical and necessary. Each generation source has its advantages and drawbacks and diversifying the generation portfolio reduces risk.

So, I don't consider myself an advocate for any particular fuel source. There is no perfect energy source and we need them all.

One of the buzzwords in the utility sector is to refer to energy efficiency as "low-hanging fruit." Let's hope that the utility sector and consumers really are ready, willing and financially able to invest in EE now so that bigger savings--not to mention environmental benefits--can come to fruition down the road (pun absolutely intended).

To echo another industrywide sentiment: It will likely take a combination of effective policies and private investment to make it happen.

Thanks, Elisa! I think the renewable sector is growing concerned about the threat of nuclear displacing renewables for state renewable portfolio standards and a federal renewable energy standard (if/when one is passed). It's important that the respective renewable associations take an active approach to getting the message out to lawmakers and the public that nuclear power deserves its own separate policy.

Mike: The Obama administration's subsidized loans for new nuclear power plants is welcomed and needed. Those funds don't necessarily pre-empt subsidies for the development of new renewable energy projects.

What I'm saying is this: Policies should support nuclear and other policies should support renewables but don't put nuclear in a renewable policy because the funding and capacity of just one nuclear plant dwarfs the capital and capacity of the typical utility-scale renewable project. And we need to develop both new nuclear and new renewable projects now.

You raise an excellent point that faces the energy sector and particularly renewable projects: The need for a project to produce/perform as expected. When, say, a wind farm fails to produce the capacity that was anticipated, it not only hurts the developers, investors etc. but it also damages the industry's reputation. Fortunately, forecasting/evaluation tools are improving.

Speaking to many people at the REW Conference & Expo, the consensus is that a federal FIT is highly unlikely to be passed. As one industry expert put it, "It's not the American way."

Smart, humorous and well done, Elisa!

At the federal level that is often the case. At the state/local level, like with this project, it's not.
At the risk of stating the obvious and over-generalizing: Wind farm projects are in rural areas, and people in rural areas live there because they like their space, their land and their scenic views. If they liked variety and change, they'd live with the city slickers. So they fight projects across the board, new Walmarts and wind farms alike.

Edgar: Yes, you are right and it is worth noting that the solar technologies are different. Not the thrust of the blog but a topic worth expanding on for a future one, thanks!

Jonathan: What'd be interesting--and encouaging to see--is if utilities, regulators and policymakers across the country can figure out a way that effectively encourages investment in distributed energy generation and costs are kept reasonable for all involved. Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.'s more than $100 million in loans to help finance the installation of solar energy systems throughout its service area resulted in 30 MW of installed solar capacity. In November, PSEG said it received approval from New Jersey regulators to expand its solar loan program by roughly $143 million to finance the installation of an additional 51 MW of solar energy systems on homes, businesses and municipal buildings.
Maybe that's the way to go.

Both of you raise valid concerns. But I have to say that neither one keeps me up at night and are low on my worry list (which is too long, but that's another blog topic).

As for utilities monopolizing the renewable sector: Not going to happen anytime soon. The FPL wind farm scandal is likely to cause a backlash and overall, US utilities are not willingly jumping into the renewable sector. I think investment banking firms could own the sector--and international utilities may be driven to take over the US renewable market.

On the nuclear front: Yes, the Black Swan can and will happen. But given the safety measures taken at US nuclear plants, I think the next major accident will not result in casualities (and no one died at TMI, either). I can't speak for nuclear facilities in other countries.

Some would say that the US is cautious to a fault when it comes to nuclear power but given the potential for mishaps, it's better to proceed with caution than press forward without a viable long-term plan.