A Community-Wide Energy Initiative for Aquidneck Island

A Community-Wide Energy Initiative

for Aquidneck Island

Why Energy Matters

Environment

Poverty

Ninigret Pond after North Cape Oil Spill

Why Energy Matters

War Security

Chevron Empire oil terminal after Katrina

Source: Jeremy Weiss and Jonathan Overpeck, The University of Arizona,

as per Mongabay.com

Our coast if sea level rises about 20

feet (six meters)

Efficiency AND Conservation

Amenity—what it is you really want

Avoid the “Take Back Effect”

Efficiency Is Cheapest!

Energy Efficiency*

~3 cents/ lifetime kWh cost of efficiency, 2007 Nat’l Grid DSM program

Source: Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2008, pg. 69 “Electricity Supply,” www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/pdf/0383(2008).pdf

Energy Efficiency Supply Curve

Starts with the items with the quickest payback C

arbo

n go

al

Cost of energy

Cost of Cutting Carbon

Energy Efficiency Cost Effectiveness

• Low-Cost

• No Cost

• Negative Cost

Efficiency Cost Effectiveness

Source: Amory Lovins, RMI.org

“Least Cost Procurement”

State law requires utility to secure ALL cost effective: – Energy efficiency– Demand response– Distributed generation

Pilot for Aquidneck Island proposed!

PUC Docket 3931

Two Last Bits of Jargon

– Demand response is a way to reduce peak energy demand by shifting uses from the peak to other parts of the day.

– Distributed generation is decentralized, site-based energy production such as a solar panel on a home or a wind turbine at a farm.

Distributed Generation

Nimble—takes advantage of new opportunties faster

Minimizes risk

Reduces need for transmission and distribution

Can diversify mix of renewable resources

New England GreenStart green power sources

Transportation-transit-transit oriented development-sustainable biodiesel-pedestrian friendliness-transit, transit, transit-hearing Oct. 30

• One model: A $100 million initiative to implement massive energy efficiency and clean energy generation throughout the City of Cambridge (pop.100,000)

• Reduce peak demand by 50 MW & fossil fuel use by 5% over 5 years

• Reduce Cambridge’s carbon footprint by at least 150,000 tons over 5 years

• A collaboration between the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, Barr Foundation, and Chorus Foundation

Source: CEA

The Cambridge Model

• Cambridge Energy Alliance (new nonprofit) will provide a full range of technical, project management, monitoring, and financial services

• A stable of private energy service companies (ESCOs) and contractors have been hired to perform energy assessments and implement measures

• CEA’s independent engineers will monitor and verify the work of the ESCOs and their contractors

• CEA’s revolving loan fund will be used to finance work and customers will pay back from their savings. Retrofitting will be emphasized

• Will enable consumers to take measures with longer paybacks, e.g., combined heat & power and solar

Existing Initiatives on Aquidneck• Cool Cities / Transportation Reform Project• Newport Goes Green Task Force• Town of Portsmouth wind turbine• Interfaith Power & Light• Step It Up Newport• Newport Biodiesel• National Grid • RI Office of Energy Resources ESCO

oversight

Local Renewable Energy• Community Wind

• Solar – Hot water – Solar heating (passive and active)– Photovoltaics (solar electric)

• Biodiesel

It’s here, it’s now, it’s working!

Come together!• Aggregating energy consumers helps reduce

costs • Aggregator can negotiate for better service • Aggregator can ensure measurable savings,

an essential ingredient for financing efficiency• A nonprofit aggregator could receive grants

and public funds, take loans and make loans from socially responsible investors

• Aquidneck Island’s three municipalities & Navy have experience planning together

Aggregator’s potential roles

• Plan

• Integrate municipal & Navy efforts

• Coordinate fundraising

• Manage funds

• Implement the program, engage a contractor, or create a division to do so.

Potential Funding Sources

– Ratepayer-funded incentives through National Grid for gas & electric efficiency, renewables, and combined heat and power

– Economic Development Corporation for renewable project development

– Renewable energy certificates and/or carbon credits

– Foundation grants – Private investment (lenders)

What If Libraries Loaned These?

17 Gordon AvenueProvidence, RI 02905(401) 861-6111

Karina Lutz

(401) 632-0988

karina@ripower.org