Accelerating Solar on a Local Level Update from Austin Solar Power International 2008 San Diego, CA October 15 th Michael Kuhn, ImagineSolar michael.kuhn@imaginesolar.com www.imaginesolar.com
Palmer Events Center Parking Garage Austin, Texas 240 Shell Solar modules, 150W each, 14 SunnyBoy Saving Energy Inverters, Together Installed in 2003
Austin City Hall: Custom 10 kw 66 modules, Custom mfg by St Gobain in Germany, 150 Saving Watts Energy each, 4 Together Sunny Boy Inverters
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals Conducting analysis Purchasing solar assets Developing the workforce Involving the community Re-visioning our utility
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals» SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (COA) (2003-2004)» Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Purchasing solar assets Developing the workforce Involving the community Re-visioning our electric utility
Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (COA) Be it Resolved: Goals specific for solar energy Solar electric integration into demand-side management Budget funding for clean energy industry economic development 20% RPS to replace the 5% goal Meeting all future demand for electric power with clean energy Amendments to AE s proposed energy resource plan Results: Approval of a new RPS of 20% by 2020 to replace the former goal of 5% by end 2004; Approval of solar rebates for the commercial and residential sectors; Approval of goals for solar energy of 15MW by 2007, 30MW by 2010, 50MW by 2014, and 100MW by 2020;
COA Climate Protection Plan Achieve 700 MW in savings through energy efficiency and conservation by 2020. Meet 30% of all energy needs through renewable resources by 2020, including 100 MW of solar power. Achieve carbon neutrality on any new generation units through lowest emission technologies, carbon sequestration and offsets. Establish CO2 cap and reduction plan for all utility emissions. Power 100% of city facilities with renewable energy by 2012.
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis» Value of Solar Study (2006)» Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets Developing the workforce Involving the community Re-visioning our electric utility
From 10.3 to 16.4 cents per kwh! Source: Austin Energy presentation to the RMC on 09/15/08
ABIA Taxicab Staging Area 26.4 kw, Installed in 2000
Sustainable Energy Roadmap 2008-2009 The City of Austin and Solar Austin have commissioned this policy research project with the LBJ School of Public Affairs (UT) to review options for Austin s electric utility, Austin Energy, to achieve sustainable energy generation and become carbon neutral by 2020. The Roadmap will take into account: (a) projected energy needs; (b) available and reasonably anticipated technology for energy conservation, efficiency and energy generation; (c) economic costs of production and distributing electricity as well as carbon dioxide, nuclear waste and other byproducts of energy generation; (d) planning challenges; and (e) options for community investment. The goal of this process is to develop a reasonable set of short-term and long-term investments that can become a model for other utilities nationwide.
Setting goals Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Value of Solar Study (2006) Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets» Power Saver TM Program: Solar Rebates (2004-Ongoing)» City of Austin RFP for 30MW (2008) Developing the workforce Involving the community Re-visioning our electric utility
PV Rebate Program Summary Source: Austin Energy Fiscal Year FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 Total Residential Rebates 9 133 162 137 136 577 Commercial Rebates 1 12 4 11 20 48 Total Rebates 10 145 166 148 156 625 Residential Rebates $117,451 $1,841,088 $2,074,101 $1,751,101 $1,763,799 $7,547,540 Commercial Rebates $11,478 $1,026,616 $305,206 $700,479 $1,249,082 $3,292,861 Total Rebates $128,929 $2,867,704 $2,379,307 $2,451,580 $3,012,882 $10,840,402 kwh Savings 43,852 886,242 679,095 765,537 928,187 3,302,913 kw @ STC AC 26 587 550 585 677 2,425 FY09 Budget for rebates = $3.3 MM Total $2 million for residential Saving Energy $1.3 Together million for commercial
Rebate Level History Source: Austin Energy Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Rebate Level ($/Watt) $ 5.0 $ 4.5 $ 4.0-4.5 $ 4.5 $ 4.5 Rebate Level ($/kwh) $ 0.17 $ 0.15 $ 0.13-0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 Assumptions: 1 kw STC AC produces 1500 kwh annually. Value of Solar to AE has increased from 10.3 to 16.4 cents per kwh!
30MW RFP: Webberville Planned Solar Site
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Value of Solar Study (2006) Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets Power Saver TM Program: Solar Rebates (2004-Ongoing) City of Austin RFP for 30MW (2008) Developing the workforce» Austin Community College (2005-ongoing) Involving the community Re-visioning our electric utility
Solar Industry Workforce Development Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Workforce Solutions, Austin Community College (ACC) North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Started development in 2005; First classes in 2006; Over 300 students (including Fall 2008 semester) ACC Department of Continuing Education HART 1071 Solar Electric Systems, Entry-Level HART 1072 Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Installer HART 1073 Solar Hot Water and Pool Heating Systems ACC Department of Electronics and Advanced Technologies ELMT 2474 Solar Photovoltaic Systems 2-Year Renewable Energy Associate Degree
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Value of Solar Study (2006) Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets Power Saver TM Program: Solar Rebates (2004-Ongoing) City of Austin RFP for 30MW (2008) Developing the workforce Austin Community College (2005-ongoing) Involving the community» Austin Smart Energy public-participation process (2008-2009) Re-visioning our electric utility
Involving the Community Last month Austin Mayor Will Wynn and Austin Energy General Manager Roger Duncan announced details of an eight-month community-wide public participation process to solicit feedback on future power generation options for Austin Energy. The Austin Smart Energy Public Participation Process Public information campaign Resource guide on current energy resources, options Brochures, bill stuffers, ads, Channel 6 video Web site to inform and solicit public input Documents, Calendar, Blog Broad-based, inclusive public input process Town Hall Meetings Presentations, discussions with stakeholder groups Formation of Advisory Group from stakeholder representatives
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Value of Solar Study (2006-Ongoing) Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets Power Saver TM Program: Solar Rebates (2004-Ongoing) City of Austin RFP for 30MW (2008) Developing the workforce Austin Community College (2005-Ongoing) Involving the community Austin Smart Energy public-participation process (2008-2009) Re-visioning our electric utility» Engine of economic growth for the Clean Energy Industry; from ACE Initiative to Chamber of Commerce» The Pecan Street Project : Austin Energy opens its grid to entrepreneurs and researchers to test their prototype technologies (2008-Onward)
The Pecan Street Project Create a consortium: The city of Austin will help create and fund a new local, public/private consortium devoted to the research and development of clean energy technologies and distributed generation systems. It will thus work to reduce energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. City as lab: Austin Energy will open its grid to entrepreneurs and researchers to test a few megawatts of their prototype technologies after ensuring they pose no threat to our energy system's safety and reliability. Create business model: As the consortium develops a new distributed generation system for clean energy, Austin Energy will correspondingly develop a new profitable business model for the utility's services. Show the world how it works: Austin will become the first city to test-drive the new system and business model. As a result, we'll enjoy energy savings that will in theory prevent the need for an entire new power plant.
Dynamics for Success Creating Breakthrough Models Setting goals SEED, Public Citizen, Solar Austin, Resource Management Commission (2003-2004) Climate Protection Plan (2008) Conducting analysis Value of Solar Study (2006-Ongoing) Sustainable Energy Roadmap (2008-2009) Purchasing solar assets Power Saver TM Program: Solar Rebates (2004-Ongoing) City of Austin RFP for 30MW (2008) Developing the workforce Austin Community College (2005-Ongoing) Involving the community Austin Smart Energy public-participation process (2008-2009) Re-visioning our electric utility Engine of economic growth for the Clean Energy Industry The Pecan Street Project : Austin Energy opens its grid to entrepreneurs and researchers to test their prototype technologies Michael Kuhn michael.kuhn@imaginesolar.com 512.443.5725