Emerald City 100% Renewable Energy Plan
Abstract
This paper presents the practical policy and project implementation steps of a 10-year conceptual plan to transition the heat and electric power systems of Traverse City, Michigan to 100% renewable energy. Pitched as “Emerald City”, it proposes the deployment of a mix of solar, wind and bioenergy systems—coupled with energy storage, energy efficiency, demand management, mini-district heat, and optimal control strategies. Potential city specific renewable energy, efficiency and storage projects are outlined, representing an abundance of choices for citizens and stakeholders working together, or as autonomous actors. The author, the developer of the first green pricing program in the United States (US), argues that green pricing programs are no longer appropriate, and should be replaced. The Traverse City renewable energy plan can be accomplished with minimal electrical distribution infrastructure changes through the following strategies: targeting a 300% increase in electric energy distribution, displacing natural gas in a 7,800 heating degree day (HDD) climate, and applying the concepts of the “Harmonious Grid” (NW Energy Coalition), “Link and Sync” (C. Gruenwald – Blattner Energy), and Green RE-Heat (Smiley)—with focus on thermal energy storage. Unique policy applications such as unlimited solar net metering, flexible and targeted climate/carbon fees, maximizing on-bill financing for efficiency, solar, energy storage, and fuel switching, can also help achieve 100% renewable energy while lowering and fixing energy costs indefinitely.
Keywords
: 100% renewable energy, Carbon fees, On-bill financing, Harmonious grid