Planning a Sustainable Energy Farm: Small and Medium Operations
New technologies and incentives have made the idea of an "energy farm" with multiple sources of income (wind, geothermal, oil and gas, solar, biomass) viable. Granted, subsidies and tax incentives are necessary in start-up stages. Nevertheless, well planned, the "energy farm" is not only sustainable, it can be profitable. This applies to small operations as well as to medium and large. Careful planning, knowledge of the most recent (and appropriate) technologies, and state regulations / interstate commerce regulations, etc. are important.
To find a solution requires a multi-pronged approach involving the following elements:
* Tax credit grant (Recovery Act provision for 30% credit, payable by the Treasury Department)
* Appropriate scale of energy generating technologies
* Contracts with local or regional electricity provider in order to sell back into the grid when there is a surplus
* Agreements with land owners, royalty owners, members of producing unit (when applicable)
* Government funding for pilot programs, new technologies, and processes for renewables (through the Recovery Act)
* Local or state incentives (economic development, infrastructure development, etc.)
* Carbon emission reduction on your lease (avoiding fine or tax)
* Carbon cap and trade considerations (bonus for blending renewables with fossil energy consumption or production)
Further, the applications have to be useful to small producers, and they have to be small, easily maintained, and affordable.
Wind Energy: Generate either three-phase or single-phase electricity, either to charge batteries, to power equipment, or to send into the grid. Wind turbines should be small, with few moving parts, rugged enough to last 20 - 30 years with little maintenance, and affordable. The manufacturer must be reputable, and not make unrealistic claims, and should provide solid technical support for installation, expansion, and maintenance.
Solar Energy: Panels can be used to provide electricity for light applications, and to charge batteries.
* cathodic protection (corrosion control monitoring)
* monitoring equipment
* telecommunications
* solar pumps
Geothermal: Heat exchangers can maximize the energy derived from the geothermal gradient. Steam may be connate, or produced water can be injected into the geothermal zone, where energy is produced.
* produced water injection (in the case of marginal wells, etc.) and heating
* surface water injection (to heat the water)
* water from geothermal zone energy used to power steam generation
* steam flood (enhanced oil recovery) in the case low-gravity oil
Biomass: Switchgrass and other ecosystem-appropriate crops can be grown on the leasehold surface. The crop can be sold to biofuel / biodiesel refineries, or traded for other crops. In some cases, the crops that are not sold to a cellulosic ethanol producer can be sold as feedstock for cattle or other animals.
How does one get started?
1. Make an inventory of your property: location, size, available resources.
2. Determine where you are in relation to a grid or system where you are able to sell back your excess or to trade.
3. Determine your needs, and the economics of your energy production. Be sure to inventory all possible gains: tax credits, trade possibilities, saving / replacing purchased energy, cap and trade, savings on carbon emissions tax / fines.
4. List the kinds of renewables you can produce on your property, and explore the vendors of each.
5. Work with a consultant to find an integrated solution that is not weighted too heavily on the side of one renewable, but accurately and economically reflects the real conditions of your land, your production, and resources.
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Choose one or both databases to search:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Useful Information: http://elearnqueen.blogspot.com
Fiction & beyond: http://www.fringejournal.com
contact: susan dot s dot nash at gmail dot com
To find a solution requires a multi-pronged approach involving the following elements:
* Tax credit grant (Recovery Act provision for 30% credit, payable by the Treasury Department)
* Appropriate scale of energy generating technologies
* Contracts with local or regional electricity provider in order to sell back into the grid when there is a surplus
* Agreements with land owners, royalty owners, members of producing unit (when applicable)
* Government funding for pilot programs, new technologies, and processes for renewables (through the Recovery Act)
* Local or state incentives (economic development, infrastructure development, etc.)
* Carbon emission reduction on your lease (avoiding fine or tax)
* Carbon cap and trade considerations (bonus for blending renewables with fossil energy consumption or production)
Further, the applications have to be useful to small producers, and they have to be small, easily maintained, and affordable.
Wind Energy: Generate either three-phase or single-phase electricity, either to charge batteries, to power equipment, or to send into the grid. Wind turbines should be small, with few moving parts, rugged enough to last 20 - 30 years with little maintenance, and affordable. The manufacturer must be reputable, and not make unrealistic claims, and should provide solid technical support for installation, expansion, and maintenance.
Solar Energy: Panels can be used to provide electricity for light applications, and to charge batteries.
* cathodic protection (corrosion control monitoring)
* monitoring equipment
* telecommunications
* solar pumps
Geothermal: Heat exchangers can maximize the energy derived from the geothermal gradient. Steam may be connate, or produced water can be injected into the geothermal zone, where energy is produced.
* produced water injection (in the case of marginal wells, etc.) and heating
* surface water injection (to heat the water)
* water from geothermal zone energy used to power steam generation
* steam flood (enhanced oil recovery) in the case low-gravity oil
Biomass: Switchgrass and other ecosystem-appropriate crops can be grown on the leasehold surface. The crop can be sold to biofuel / biodiesel refineries, or traded for other crops. In some cases, the crops that are not sold to a cellulosic ethanol producer can be sold as feedstock for cattle or other animals.
How does one get started?
1. Make an inventory of your property: location, size, available resources.
2. Determine where you are in relation to a grid or system where you are able to sell back your excess or to trade.
3. Determine your needs, and the economics of your energy production. Be sure to inventory all possible gains: tax credits, trade possibilities, saving / replacing purchased energy, cap and trade, savings on carbon emissions tax / fines.
4. List the kinds of renewables you can produce on your property, and explore the vendors of each.
5. Work with a consultant to find an integrated solution that is not weighted too heavily on the side of one renewable, but accurately and economically reflects the real conditions of your land, your production, and resources.
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Choose one or both databases to search:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Useful Information: http://elearnqueen.blogspot.com
Fiction & beyond: http://www.fringejournal.com
contact: susan dot s dot nash at gmail dot com
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