Distributed Energy Generation Through The Activation Of Open Parking Areas With Biomimetic Photovoltaic Shade Structures

Transcription

1 Distributed Energy Generation Through The Activation Of Open Parking Areas With Biomimetic Photovoltaic Shade Structures Robert Noble and Pam Stevens Envision Solar International, Inc Executive Square, Suite 1000 La Jolla, CA T F rnoble@envisionsolar.com pstevens@envisionsolar.com

2 Distributed Energy Generation Through The Activation Of Open Parking Areas With Biomimetic Photovoltaic Shade Structures Robert Noble Robert Noble is an architect, environmental and industrial designer and environmental technology entrepreneur. During his most recent tenure as CEO of Tucker Sadler Architects of San Diego, the firm tripled in size with offices in California and Arkansas, and he led the firm to be generally considered the regional leader in sustainable design and advocacy. His technology development, industrial design and architectural experience extends across a full spectrum of project types. His education includes Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Cambridge University Graduate Department of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration and the University of California at San Diego and Berkeley. Mr. Noble and his work have won numerous awards for his industrial and architectural designs, technology innovations, and business development activities, including awards from Popular Science Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, American Marketing Association, National Public Radio, the Urban Land Institute, the AIA and many others. He is past Chairman and co-founder of the USGBC San Diego, past President of the AIA San Diego, past Chairman of the AIA California Sustainability Task Force, current Chairman of the Board of the California Center for Sustainable Energy and current Chairman of the Board of the Downtown San Diego YMCA. Envision Solar International, Inc Executive Square, Suite 1000, La Jolla CA rnoble@envisionsolar.com Pam Stevens Pamela brings to Envision Solar more than twenty years of experience managing all types of commercial real estate assets across the country from some of the nation s largest firms. With a strong focus on facility efficiency and energy management, Pamela s experience also includes extensive design and implementation of a variety of sustainable operating practice initiatives, providing operational input to a variety of design, construction, and development projects, and procuring demand-side bulked energy. Most recently, Pamela was Vice President of National Operations at Westfield, LLC, the world s largest shopping center REIT by market capitalization. Pam is a LEED Accredited Professional through the US Green Buildings Council, and holds the Real Property Administrator designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute. She received a BA in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. Envision Solar International, Inc Executive Square, Suite 1000, La Jolla CA pstevens@envisionsolar.com

3 Estimated Paper Length: 2,300 Exhibits: Case Studies I agree to submit a paper and will provide my paper by July 31, Robert Noble Chief Executive Officer Pam Stevens Chief Operating Officer

4 Abstract Distributed energy projects that utilize photovoltaic shade structures on the top levels of parking decks or in surface lots create a seamless integration of renewable energy into the built environment that is beautiful, efficient, and useful. By activating these vehicle parking areas with biomimetic shade structures based on natural shade trees, developments will achieve massive deployment of highly visible renewable energy projects that create clean energy through sustainable design. In addition, they bring to the development unique financing structure opportunities, and enhance the human experience with the development by creating a positive parking experience that can provide shade, shelter, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to challenge the notion that distributed photovoltaic energy generation: 1. should not be a significant component of the utility grid 2. should serve only the retail side of the electricity meter; 3. should occur only, or predominantly in rooftop arrays In addition, the purpose is to propose that photovoltaic solar parking and other solar shade arrays can be a profoundly valuable and meaningful new sustainable, biomimetic architectural and urban design archetype, which may greatly enhance the beauty and health of our built environment. Paper Modern photovoltaic (PV) equipment, which produces electricity from the energy contained in sunlight, is a proven technology that has been in use for more than 30 years to effect distributed (or de-centralized) energy generation. Historically, large, flat PV modules have been installed on building rooftops to generate electricity for property owners on the retail side of the electricity meter. These rooftop arrays are efficient and designed to be hidden from end-user view and experience. They are designed to be back-of-house infrastructure in the same category as air conditioning equipment or electrical panels. The consideration of a utility scale energy project includes a number of stakeholders, including the utility company; the property owner or developer; the governmental and environmental authorities; and the end-users of the site. The California Energy Action Plan, formally adopted by the state s principal energy agencies in 2003, set forth the following Loading Order priorities to guide the state in meeting its future energy needs: invest first in energy efficiency and demand-side resources, followed by renewable resources, and only then in clean conventional electricity supply. Not only must utilities follow this guidance, but they are also under legislative mandate to meet stringent Renewable Portfolio Standards, beginning in Many states have similar laws in force, or pending legislative approval. In light of these constraints, as well as the financial constraints faced by utilities, there is a strong argument for photovoltaic facilities from the perspective of electric utilities. Southern California Edison filed with the California Public Utilities Commission to deploy 250 MW of roof-mounted solar arrays across its service territory. Subsequently, San Diego Gas & Electric filed with the 1

5 California Public Utilities Commission its plan to deploy up to 80 MW of ground-mounted solar arrays across its service territory. There are a number of benefits to the Utility stakeholder of distributed energy generation that is conducted within an urban development infrastructure. Example of potential large-scale deployment of parking lot solar arrays along San Diego Harbor Demand/Generation Coincident Peaking: Photovoltaics produce electricity at the same time of day that generation facilities are working the hardest, and when electricity prices are highest. While solar is not a dispatchable generation resource, its performance is highly predictable at an aggregated level, and can be coupled with energy storage devices so that delivery commitments can be met. Congestion Mitigation: Aging transmission and distribution infrastructure is increasingly limited in ability to transport additional electricity. By deploying distributed generation facilities, photovoltaic arrays may allow for the deferral of major infrastructure investment. Renewable Energy: Many states Renewable Portfolio Standards mandate that electric utilities procure increasing amounts of renewable energy starting in 2010; utilities that fail to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards requirements will receive fines. Generating Facility Portfolio Diversification: Every time a utility places a generating facility in service, it is placing a bet on the future of the fuel prices consumed by the facility. While solar equipment is still somewhat expensive relative to traditional carbon-rich fossil fuels, the price of sunshine is essentially a risk-free bet: unlike volatile, rising fuel prices, sunlight is and will always be free. 2

6 Improved Integration into the Urban Development Infrastructure: The deployment of large solar arrays might even someday replace the need for natural gas-fired peaker plants, which often face strong community opposition and pose challenges in facility siting. In addition to the utility company, property owners and developers form another key stakeholder group for the incorporation of open parking areas into an urban distributed generation infrastructure. Value in covered parking: Transitioning a solar array from a static rooftop location to the top of a parking shade or shelter structure activates an amenity for the end-user of the site. Customers of the development benefit from shade and shelter. The use of a customer s vehicle becomes a more pleasant experience without the solar gain that results from exposure to the sun. Furthermore, photovoltaic shade structures provide the infrastructure to enable a customer to charge his plug-in electric vehicle while it is parked at the site, utilizing the clean energy generated by the photovoltaic s on the roof of the shade structure. Other financial and quality-of-life benefits: Asphalt paving lasts longer when it is shaded, lowering life-cycle costs for the parking lot. And cooler cars, since they are far more pleasant to get into on a hot day, are a valuable benefit of shaded parking lots. Advancing an intelligent infrastructure: Photovoltaic shade structures create underlying infrastructure that would enable a customer to charge his plug-in electric vehicle while it is parked at the site, utilizing the clean energy generated by the photovoltaics on the roof of the shade structure. Increased Economic Activity: The International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has conducted market research that suggests consumers stay longer at shopping centers perceived to be green. These studies imply that visible photovoltaic installations on shade structures could create additional customer traffic. Furthermore, some property owners, like commercial parking lot operators or airports, can monetize covered parking. Rendering of Solar Rows at Shopping Center in Southern California 3

7 Financial Modeling: Parking shade structures add financial value to the developer and property owner from both the form and function of the design. The form of the shade structures adds an opportunity not only to interface positively with customers, but to reach them and communicate with them in the form of paid messaging. Retail applications in particular have the ability to add a new revenue stream based on advertising or sponsorship activity or paid parking on the shade structures. Furthermore, the photovoltaic energy function creates a reduction in operating costs over the life cycle of the installation, and provides the opportunity to recover some of the first costs of the installations through energy rebates and federal tax incentive credits. The needs of the public, and by extension, the government and the environment, are also served by the installation of solar shaded parking. Economic development: Large-scale solar deployment will aid in the creation of green-collar jobs. Air quality: Increased use of renewable energy can lead to reduced levels of particulate across a geographic region. Urban heat island mitigation: Urban heat islands (UHI) are metropolitan areas that capture and retain the sun s energy into the evening. UHIs can increase the magnitude and duration of heat waves within cities, which can lead to increased heat wave mortalities, according to recent research. Renewable Energy: Wide deployment of renewable energy facilities will serve to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) that would be produced by traditional energy facilities, which is vitally important in mitigating global climate change. Energy Security: Distributed generation solar power projects designed with electric vehicle charging stations can help mitigate the demand for foreign sources of transportation fuels. Terrorism/System Outage Mitigation: As distributed equipment, Envision Solar projects are less vulnerable to single-point outages that can cascade into larger blackouts, like the Northeast Blackout of Public Concurrence: The automotive industry today is at a crossroads: on the one hand, U.S. manufacturers are under enormous pressure. Congress is exerting pressure for improvements in fuel economy; environmentalists demand cleaner, greener fuel sources; consumers are budget-constrained, in light of rising fuel and food prices and a faltering economy. Financially, the big three are encumbered with enormous pension liabilities, and are facing increased pressures from European and Asian manufacturers. 4

8 There are no less than a dozen electric vehicle start-up companies vying to offer to the consumer alternatives to traditional-fuel vehicles, and in response, every major auto manufacturer has announced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle initiatives, with General Motors targeting inaugural year sales of 10,000 units in Historically, electric vehicles have faced a chicken and egg situation with regard to charging station infrastructure. However, Envision Solar distributed generation projects are designed for retrofitting of electric vehicle charging stations, as plug-in electric vehicles become more commonplace. Some of the stakeholders needs for distributed generation through photovoltaic parking shade structures can be met with a utilitarian design. However, a progressive and innovative design that is iconic, beautiful, and integrated seamlessly in to the architecture of the development and the community is a vital component of an effective and sustainable strategy. Envision Solar International, based in La Jolla, California, has developed a replicable and expandable product line of photovoltaic shade structures that have attracted international attention. Envision Solar shaded parking structure designs are based upon the principles of biomimicry. Their Solar Tree and Solar Grove designs, in particular, study and mimic the environmental benefits and form of shade trees. The Solar Tree is a single-post structure with a cantilevered canopy to support the photovoltaic panels. The canopy includes several semi-translucent panels designed to provide filtered light beneath the canopy, in much the way light filters through the leaves of a shade tree. The Solar Tree is designed to optimize the customer experience. A Solar Grove is a parking lot that is forested with Solar Trees or Solar Rows, ensuring an activated parking experience for a customer that communicates in a highly visible manner the sustainable experience. In addition to customer amenity, the Solar Tree and Solar Grove concepts include a variety of environmental sustainability design features. Most important, shading of automobiles can reduce fuel consumption (through efficiencies associated with reduced use of vehicle air conditioning), minimize heat island effect not only due to the reduction of heat absorption by concrete and asphalt surfaces, but also from the reduced heated metal mass of the automobiles. In addition, a Solar Grove can capture rain water and direct it to bio-swales or sand filtration systems to reduce storm water run-off to municipal systems from parking are surfaces. Finally, the night lighting, which can include LED lamps, is shielded from the night sky, reducing light pollution of the night sky. By presenting an attractive strategy based on natural trees, solar parking shade structures in the form of Solar Trees integrate photovoltaic energy into the design of a development, simultaneously offering the benefits of utility-scale distributed generation renewable energy. 5

9 Case Studies Kyocera Solar Grove The Kyocera Solar Grove is located at Kyocera International s US Headquarters located in San Diego, California. The project incorporates complete sustainable design elements and integrates architectural form with renewable energy s functionality to increase property value, produce electricity and offset carbon emissions. The Kyocera Solar Grove consists of 25 Solar Trees with 1,400 Kyocera KC187GS solar photovoltaic (PV) modules interspersed with 200 translucent KC88CGS modules offering improved day-lighting and aesthetic appeal from both above and below the structures. The PV modules are mounted in Unirac Sun Frames supported on single column galvanized steel structures with integrated up-lighting and poured concrete bases secured in bio-swale trenches. Storm water runoff enters curb gaps, flows into the bioswales through organic and in-organic material filtration yielding clean water at the point of discharge. The up-lighting illuminates the modules white Tedlar backing providing enhanced security and distilled radiance at night. In these ways the project addresses numerous environmental issues (heat island effect, dark skies initiative, carbon offset), provides additional LEED points for the owner and offers a visible commitment to the environment. Kyocera Solar Grove, San Diego, CA Overhead View 6

10 Kyocera Solar Grove, San Diego, CA View from Under the Solar Tree System Size: 279 kw DC 235 kw AC CEC System Configuration: Utility Configuration: Solar Modules: Grid Connected 1400 KC-187GS 200 KC 88CGS Inverters: 2 SMA American Sunny Central SC125U Batteries: None Charge Controllers: None Potential LEED Points: 9-13 Utility District: San Diego Gas and Electric Number of Parking Spaces: 186 Annual Energy Production: 431,000 kwh Date Completed: June 2005 Avoided Emissions (pounds): Carbon Dioxide: 412,945 annually Nitrogen Oxide: 376 annually Sulfur Dioxide: 282 annually Pounds of Coal Displaced: 244,463 annually 7

11 University of California San Diego Hopkins Parking Structure Hopkins Parking Structure, a recent addition to the UC San Diego campus, was specifically designed and engineered with the vision of photovoltaic parking lot arrays on the top floor. The Solar Rows, accordingly, were designed to complement the unique architecture of the top deck of the parking garage. After the completion of the project, Hopkins Parking Structure will become a part of UC San Diego s Sustainability Walk, a partnership between its Environment & Sustainability Initiative, the Rady School of Management, the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies and the campus operations staff. UCSD Solar Rows, Hopkins Parking Structure, San Diego, CA System Size: 354 kw DC 300 kw AC CEC System Configuration: Utility Configuration: Grid Connected Solar Modules: 1729 Kyocera KD-205 Batteries: None Charge Controllers: None Utility District: San Diego Gas and Electric Number of Parking Spaces: 160 Annual Energy Production: 494,000 kwh Estimated Date Completed: August 2008 Avoided Emissions (pounds): Carbon Dioxide: 473,306 annually Nitrogen Oxide: 430 annually Sulfur Dioxide: 323 annually Pounds of Coal Displaced: 280,197 annually 8

12 University of California San Diego Gilman Parking Structure The Solar Rows at UC San Diego s Gilman Parking Structure, located at the edge of one of the busiest entrances to the campus, are an extremely visible demonstration of the campus commitment to sustainability. Deploying Solar Rows atop parking structures was useful for the planning division of UC San Diego, as it allowed them to use existing space in productive and aesthetic manner. The solar arrays are a part of the university s larger Environment & Sustainability Initiative, for which it was recently recognized by the Climate Action Registry as a Climate Action Leader for successfully measuring, certifying and reporting its greenhouse gas emissions to the Registry and the public. UCSD Solar Rows, Gilman Parking Structure, San Diego, CA System Size: 197 kw DC 166 kw AC CEC System Configuration: Utility Configuration: Grid Connected Solar Modules: 959 Kyocera KD-205 Batteries: None Charge Controllers: None Utility District: San Diego Gas and Electric Number of Parking Spaces: 92 Annual Energy Production: 275,000 kwh Estimated Date Completed: August 2008 Avoided Emissions (pounds): Carbon Dioxide: 263,480 annually Nitrogen Oxide: 239 annually Sulfur Dioxide: 180 annually Pounds of Coal Displaced: 155,980 annually 9

13 National Renewable Energy Laboratories Solar Tree The Solar Tree at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, is the prototype of the future. Covering just two parking spaces, it is a pilot project that includes two integrated AC outlets for charging hybrid electric vehicles that NREL has converted into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). NREL researchers can use the array to charge their vehicles using the power of the sun, demonstrating how we can begin to reduce our nation s dependence on foreign fuel sources in an environmentally friendly way using existing technology. Solar Tree charging station at National Renewable Energy Laboratories in Golden, Colorado System Size: 3.6 kw DC 3 kw AC CEC System Configuration: Utility Configuration: Grid Connected Solar Modules: 16 KC200GT 4 KC88CGS Additional Features: 2 Integrated AC Charging Stations Utility District: Xcel Energy Number of Parking Spaces: 2 Annual Energy Production: 1,520 kwh Date Completed: December 2007 Avoided Emissions (pounds): Carbon Dioxide: 3,373 annually Nitrogen Oxide: 5 annually Sulfur Dioxide: 3 annually Pounds of Coal Displaced: 1,996 annually 10