The Future of Renewable Energy: Wind, Solar, Biofuels Riverfront - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

2011 State of the Coast Report

The Future of Renewable Energy: Wind, Solar, Biofuels

Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern, N.C. June 24, 2011

North Carolina Coastal Federation

• Founded in 1982
• Non-profit 501(c)(3)
• 10,000 Members
• 1,200 student/adult volunteers
• Staff of 19
• 27 board members
• 3 regional offices

Education • Restoration & Preservation • Advocacy

State of the Coast Report

• Annual publication
• Explores major

coastal issues

• Distributed

statewide

Why Energy?

• Important generational issue
• The N.C. Coastal Federation is
• pposed to offshore drilling
• Recognize the need to develop

national energy sources

• Can’t always say “no”
• Is there a better way?

State of the Coast Report Summary

What are the possible, realistic alternatives for renewable energy and how might they affect the N.C. coast? What are the tradeoffs? Definition: Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources – sunlight, wind – and naturally replenished. Report focused on:

• Wind (offshore, land-based)
• Solar
• Bioenergy

Offshore Wind

• Proven success in Europe. None in the

United States.

• North Carolina has the best potential of

any East Coast state. Benefits

• No emissions
• Job creation
• Minimal environmental effects
• Decreased visual impacts
• Create marine habitats

Challenges

• Fickle
• Relatively expensive
• Siting to avoid conflicts

Onshore Wind

U.S. leads the world in electricity produced by land-based wind farms. Benefits

• No emissions
• Job creation
• Competitive pricing
• Lease payments to landowners

Challenges

• Even more fickle than offshore wind
• Bird/bat strikes
• Visual impacts
• Requires large tracts

Solar

Expanding rapidly in U.S. Could provide 10% of electricity by 2025. Benefits

• Maybe the cleanest of

fuels

• Highly adaptable
• Low maintenance
• Tax credits available

Challenges

• Sun doesn’t always shine
• Equipment expense
• Large area needed for

utility-scale production

Bioenergy

Renewable energy sources comprised of biological material, including wood, crops and animal and municipal solid waste. Push is on. Benefits

• Homegrown
• Job creation
• Income for farmer, landowner

Challenges

• Carbon reduction
• Sustainable forestry, farming practices
• Public acceptance

Conservation

Conserving energy is usually the smartest, most economical and most potent environmental action you can take. 21 Things We All Can Do

• Get an energy audit
• Turn off the lights, TV, computer
• Compact fluorescent bulbs
• Efficient appliances
• Weatherize
• Plant native trees
• Become an advocate