This open-ended engagement ensures that investments were paired with a forward-looking approach to plan for longer-term action that are home-grown and responsive to local priorities, complement ongoing partnerships, and are inclusive of the values and peoples in the region. The Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy is USDAs approach to support economic, cultural, and natural resources sustainability in the region. This team is locally based and will continue to consult with Tribal Nations and Alaska Native corporations and to engage with partners and municipal governments to continue to identify priorities and practical opportunities for investments of financial and technical assistance. Southeast Agriculture & Forestry Energy Alliance, Southern Bioenergy Roadmap, 2009, p. 5, http://www.saferalliance.net/projects/bioenergy_roadmap.pdf. The American Renewable Energy Act, H.R. The development of renewable energy projects in the region is an expensive bill for most Southeast Asian countries to foot. %
2;|Q2C2hH;_2 The issue of whether there is enough biomass to meet both an RES and RFS is beyond the scope of this report. The development of solar and wind resources in the power sector was relatively slow as renewables were not cost-competitive over thermal power plants. Unless some balancing mechanism is in place, such as the Bingaman discussion draft proposal to return federal penalties to those states with less renewable energy resources to specifically develop such resources, southeastern states and electric utilities fear that they will become net purchasers of RECs, which will result in a "transfer of wealth" to the sunny and wind-rich states of the Southwest and Midwest, respectively.21 Given the identified concerns over biomass supplies in the southeastern states and the pivotal role the region will likely have in a federal RES debate, issues in this region will be used as the focus of this report. Wind turbines have been called ugly and noisy, and the cooling needs of solar thermal facilities in desert locations may require the use of scarce water resources. It is concerned that competition for biomass resources from new power generation facilities and from transportation fuel uses could drive up prices to the economic detriment of forest product companies. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON RENEWABLE ENERGY With high electricity prices, a reliance on imported energy, and ongoing retirements of fossil fuel power plants, the Northeast has a strong incentive to develop local, renewable sources of energy. A dozen or so moderate and conservative committee Democrats want to lower the target. Increases in cost reductions from competitive scenario compared to business-as-usual from 2020-2040. Harnessing these resources appears to be a promising solution for improving the life quality of rural villagers. USDA applauds the success of the economic investment portion of the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy and credits the many partners who have come together in the spirit of community, culture, conservation, and commerce. Transitioning away from dirty fossil fuels is not just a question of fair competition for clean energy power providers, it's a matter of justice for communities disproportionately burdened by pollution. endstream
endobj
211 0 obj
<>stream
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. IRENA said, in the long term, average annual investment of $210 billion was needed on renewable energy, energy efficiency and to support technologies and infrastructure in the period to 2050 to . The legislation also calls for building 450 megawatts of renewable capacity in the county to help replace lost tax revenue from closing coal operations. We look to be part of an inclusive, responsive approach that complements existing efforts toward practical, common-sense solutions. Energy demand in Southeast Asia has increased on average by around 3% a year over the past two decades, and this trend continues to 2030 under today's policy settings in the STEPS. By 2012, at least 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel must be blended into motor-vehicle fuel sold in America. non renewable resources in the southeast regionan implied power is one that brainlyan implied power is one that brainly A Review of Barriers to and Opportunities for the Integration of Through February 2009, RPS requirements or goals have been established in 29 states plus the District of Columbia.9, A major argument that has been advanced for a national renewable energy (or electricity) standard is that it would encourage increased use of renewable energy. Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Some states have moved forward with their own RES programs envisioning either an economic benefit or environmental imperative, or both.18 States may argue that a federal mandate could override existing state programs which may have involved years of negotiations among local interests to set goals and timetables. Biomass Resources Available per Square Kilometer in the United States, Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Climate change mitigation goals may have additional impacts on the value of renewable energy credits, and eventual impacts on biomass demand nationwide. A market was created for firms outside of the electric utility industry with a preference or opportunity for producing energy from alternative fuels, especially for qualifying small power facilities that could use biomass, waste, or other renewable resources (including wind, solar energy, and water).6 Investments and advances in combustion turbine technology preceded the growth of cogeneration.7 Nowadays, combined heat and power turbine-generator sets are a mainstay of several industries and industrial applications. The latest on SEEM, FERC, and the impact on renewable energy New research from Energy Innovation and Vibrant Clean Energy shows establishing a competitive wholesale electricity market across seven Southeastern states could save $384 billion and create more than 400,000 clean energy jobs, jump-starting an economy slowed by COVID-19 and dramatically reducing harmful air pollution. Biomass grown for energy is commonly seen as carbon neutral and most biomass sources are low in sulfur content, so sulfur dioxide emissions are reduced. Meets USDA commitment to ecological, economic, and cultural sustainability. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standardspolicies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources, More than 100 cities worldwide now boast at least 70 . Renewable energy in Southeast Asia: Policies and recommendations Southeast Asia (SEA) region has huge solar potential as it is located near the equator. DUK Recent technological developments are improving yields from cellulosic production and bringing down production costs61 which, when coupled with incentives for ethanol production, may further increase demand and possibly prices for biomass. Three regional utilities Tennessee Valley Authority (a federal entity), Southern Company (907) 586-8806, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=FSEPRD950023, What is the OneUSDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy, On July 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The intra-agency team collected diverse public input to inform opportunities for priority investments and in reducing administrative barriers that support a diverse economy, enhance community resilience, and conserve natural resources. Southeast Asia Renewable Energy Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 The Southeast Asian renewable energy market is changing rapidly. Research and development initiatives may well increase the efficiency of biomass power generation, making it possible to increase power output from less biomass feedstock. The investment tax credit is an incentive for domestic investment in renewable energy plant and equipment. Since 2016, the USAID Clean Power Asia program has worked with governments and the private sector across Southeast Asia to encourage power sector investments in environmentally friendly, grid-connected renewable energy sources. Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia by Courtney Weatherby December 17, 2020 This essay explores the current status and future role of renewable energy in Southeast Asia's power-generation system, reviews obstacles to energy diversification, and analyzes specific policy successes and failures in supporting rapid deployment. A principal argument made by supporters of an RES is that it would provide benefits to the environmental goals. Approximately 16 mills have closed in the Southeast between 2004 and 2007. 65. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed on a 23% target for sustainable, modern renewables by 2025. This buildout of wind, solar, and storage generates 285,000 new jobs in the Southeast through 2040 compared to business-as-usual good jobs in one of the countrys fastest growing economic sectors, offering higher than average wages. Southeast Asia offers opportunities to scale up renewable energy - CNBC An online data explorer allows users to compare scenarios and understand state-level impacts: By contrast, current utility plans add virtually no wind or storage, only 21 GW of additional solar by 2040, maintain existing coal, and drastically expand gas generation. Southeast Asia needs $210 bln annual investment on renewables -IRENA Nowhere is the debate on biomass resources more pronounced than in the southeastern United States where biomass has been described as the region's best hope to meet RES requirements.44. On April 2, ChargdAffairesat the U.S. Embassy Michael Heath gave remarks at theRenewable Energy Symposium and Electric Vehicle Challenge, the capstone of Clean Power Asia, a USAID funded regional program. 35, Landfill gas from decomposing organic matter in landfills can be collected and used to generate electricity, if it is present in suitable quantities and is of a high enough quality in its energy content.36 As such, landfill gas is usually a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, and may contain other contaminants requiring treatment or removal before the gas can be used as fuel to produce steam for power generation.37, As an alternative to burying the volumes of trash collected by cities and towns, waste-to-energy facilities can use municipal solid waste directly as a fuel source to generate electricity. In 1991, a study62of the availability of biomass in the Southeast identified 27 counties with high potential to generate power from woody biomass. Work continues with southeast Alaska partners on additional projects to meet the strategys initial $25 million commitment. We are a nonpartisan climate policy think tank helping policymakers make informed energy policy choices and accelerate clean energy by supporting the policies that most effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Much of the debate over an RES revolves around whether there is a need for a federal requirement for renewable energy use by electric providers and whether the momentum in the states is truly moving the use of renewable energy forward. The news was shared during a collaborative virtual, partner-led event hosted by the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida), Southeast Conference, Spruce Root, and USDA leaders. The Production Tax Credit13 and the Investment Tax Credit14 have been used by the federal government to support renewable energy.15 Recent consideration has also been given to implementing a federal "Feed-in Tariff" (FIT) law. Daniel Cusick, "Southern utilities led effort to squash Senate RPS proposal," Earth News, June 26, 2007. Biomass Resources: The Southeastern United States and the Renewable The region is committed to renewable energy and integrating sustainable practices into legacy industries. http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/glossary_g.htm. \+e|We8yx8!x=LO\50f%*H(\(I$ xB8 dg@JH5@fzI:zX&?}`s:9w&Z[FmP}NrLbaYX1s(]l]dhol LtE{ 6&$vu_ZcU5a*rvPmM5clTRI~Q1 In the southeast region especially, biomass may be the most readily available opportunity for meeting RES goals, but compliance may still be a challenge. Thanks for reading Scientific American. See Plasma Gasification at http://www.recoveredenergy.com/d_plasma.html. First, with heavy reliance on fossil resources, Southeast Asian governments are promoting renewable energy as the region is endowed with a rich variety of natural resources [15][16][17]. on official, secure websites. Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Direct: 907.463.7368 | Email: communications@ccthita-nsn.gov. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from biomass sources are considered practically neutral, as biomass sources take in CO2 during their growing cycle and release it when burned. In addition to the Economic Investment component, the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy also involves ending large-scale, old-growth timber harvest and focusing resources to support forest restoration, recreation, climate resilience, and sustainable young-growth management. Peter Fairley, Garbage In, Megawatts Out, July 2, 2008, http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21029/?a=f. Targets for biofuels production from a Renewable Fuels Standard may mean that increased amounts of biomass would be dedicated to meet the needs of that program, if the trend away from corn-based ethanol persists and gasoline demand increases. Different types of biomass have different procurement and collection costs, and transportation cost varies as a function of haul time and distance. "It is very active." P A lock () or https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. endstream
endobj
212 0 obj
<>stream
RE-Source Southeast Hub is a regional platform for cooperation between renewable energy producers and energy consumers.. Renewable Portfolio Standards. 45, According to SACE's analysis, biomass is potentially seen as meeting 60% of a near-term RES goal of 15% of all generation in the Southeast (by the year 2015). Coal-fired power plants are major sources of toxic air pollution, so phasing out uneconomic coal dramatically improves air quality. SCCO Renewable energy in Southeast Asia is a growing sector with a market size of $205 billion and capital investments totaling $11 billion between 2020 and 2022. It is concerned that competition for biomass resources from new power generation facilities and from transportation fuel uses could drive up prices to the economic detriment of forest product companies. Picking up where federal research and development dollars left off, states are using the concept of a Renewable Portfolio Standard8 (RPS) to create a market for renewable energy via mandatory goals. While a fully restructured, organized market would take time to establish, the companion policy report recommends ways state legislatures and public utility commissions can introduce competitive behavior in advance of a traditional RTO/ISO. For additional information, see the discussion of these tax credits in the federal incentives section of the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website at http://www.dsireusa.org/. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. Clean Energy Can Help Southeast Asia Recover After COVID-19 The Southeast already has a strong base of companies that can make and assemble the key components of wind turbines and other renewable energy equipment. Pulp & Paperworkers Resource Council, Mill Closures Chart, 2007, http://www.pprc.info/html/millclosures.htm. Measuring the Economics of Biofuel Availability. LockA locked padlock
Southeast Asia's Renewable Energy Potential - BRINK Biomass has been characterized by advocates for an RES in the Southeast (i.e., Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) as the region's main renewable resource which could be used to meet a standard. corporations in a process that reflects the immediate and long-term needs and opportunities in the region. The definition of what constitutes biomass has varied over time with changes in law and regulations, reflecting policy goals and evolution of potential uses. Methane released from manure management systems can be captured and used as clean energy to produce electricity. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) called the RES a "moving target." Feed-in Tariffs are incentive structures for generating renewable electricity usually at above-market rates for a set number of years, reducing the payback period and adding certainty to the return on the investment. Our USAID [United States Agency for International Development] Clean Power Asia program made huge investments in clean power and is projected to help the region avoid 30 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 15 years, he continued. Drill Baby Drill 2.0: The EPA Needs To Start Permitting Wells For Carbon Dioxide Sequestration, Asias Hunger For Energy Will Not Save Russias Economy, all Southeast coal plants cost more to run, proposed the voluntary Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM), New research from Energy Innovation and Vibrant Clean Energy, establishing a competitive wholesale electricity market, investigate the benefits of establishing organized markets, Competitive wholesale electricity markets, These markets are far from perfect in practice, ambitious long-term climate announcements, heavily reliant on expensive-to-run coal plants, doubling down on risky new gas infrastructure investments, a competitive regional Southeast market through 2040, one of the countrys fastest growing economic sectors, offering higher than average wages, the growing number of companies with 100% clean energy goals, may suffer more economic loss from COVID-19 than any other area of the country, 1.5 times as much PM 2.5 compared to white Americans, one of the most damaging pollutants for human health, up to $60 billion each year in 2050 and up to $99 billion in 2090 in costs, only North Carolina has a meaningful renewable portfolio standard. Lignin is the "glue-like" substance which holds woody plant fibers together. to support a diverse economy, enhancecommunity resilience, and conserve natural resources in Southeast Alaska. Sustainable management of southeastern woody biomass supplies could help to meet any RES target. Southeast: View Market Design & Brookfield Renewable Sites hXKk0+?F3SCwCL6{-+$B By converting biomass, waste materials, or other carbon-containing materials into a synthesized gas (synthesis gas or syngas) comprised mostly of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, the syngas can be burned directly to generate electricity.39 Further processing via Fischer-Tropsch methods40 or other forms of catalysis can convert the syngas into higher value chemicals or transportation biofuels such as ethanol, methanol, or a form of biodiesel called di-methyl ether. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp, Southern Co. takes aim at renewable-energy bill, May 8, 2007, http://thehill.com/business--lobby/southern-co.-takes-aim-at-renewable-energy-bill-2007-05-08.html. Nonrenewable Resources - National Geographic Society | National Planning for biomass resources that fails to consider competing uses, may have unintended economic, ecological and environmental consequences. Sustainable management of forest resources is a basic consideration. Of these plants included in the analysis, both local and regional solar resources are less expensive than all of the coal plants analyzed. These proposals reflect the broad and deep need for economic stimulus in Southeast Alaska. In addition to looking at replacing generation with wind or solar, Energy Innovation looked at pairing local solar resources with battery storage to replace some or all of the capacity of each coal plant without costing more than the continued operation of the plant. Southeastern lawmakers, who say their states could not meet the targets, say their districts would face higher costs because utilities would be forced to buy credits or make other payments. USAID and the Embassy have announced plans to continue these efforts through a new program called the Southeast Asia Smart Power Program that will promote utility modernization, energy efficiency, advanced technologies, and regional power trade, and will improve local air quality and mitigate global climate change. AC Energy is optimistic on renewable energy potential in Southeast Asia: CEO SINGAPORE Southeast Asia is going through an energy transition and there's opportunity to scale up. Renewables were used to meet 5 percent of Southeast power sales in 2006, according to the paper, which defines the region as Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and. Identifying short- and long-term opportunities for investments that reflect the diverse opportunities and needs in the region. The majority of that capacity is expected to come from new energy crops.46, Opponents of an RES say goals for new renewable energy generation are unfair and cannot be easily met in the timeframes under discussion.