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Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses what people think of the prospect of having a wind farm in their community.
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Among Many Successes, Some Community Wind Projects Experience New Challenges by the Department of Energy
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy by the Department of Energy
Frequently Asked Questions About Windy Energy by the Department of Energy
Transcript
HOST: What do people think about the prospect of a wind farm in their community? On this week’s Energy Bite, Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
JULIAN: We interviewed and surveyed residents in coastal Massachusetts communities and found that the biggest factors people care about are economic benefits from the project and visual changes to the landscape.
HOST: So, why are these factors a concern?
JULIAN: Typical power plants, like coal or gas plants, can be tucked away in hidden locations that are not visible. However, wind turbines are typically over 400 feet tall, making a distinguishable mark on the landscape. Therefore, study participants wanted to know how the project would look, and whether they could see it from their home. Many participants also wanted to know the economic benefits both to them individually and to the town, like reduced energy bills and increased tax revenue to the local government. It’s important to point out that visual and economic benefits aren’t standardized by project nor are they regulated. So, it’s critical for communities to work with project developers to learn them.
HOST: Would you want a wind farm built in your community? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses the advantages of adding energy storage to wind projects.
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The Role of Energy Storage in Accessing Remote Wind Resources in the Midwest by Julian Lamy, Ineš L. Azevedo and Paulina Jaramillo
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy by the Department of Energy
Frequently Asked Questions About Windy Energy by the Department of Energy
Transcript
HOST: Have you ever wondered how energy storage, like large-scale batteries, could help make wind energy projects more economical? On this week’s Energy Bite, Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
JULIAN: Wind projects generate electricity intermittently depending on when the wind is blowing. In some hours, the project produces 100 % of its max capacity, but in other hours it produces 0 energy. But if the project could store energy, then it could deliver power more consistently throughout the day, for example, 50% of its capacity in each hour. One major advantage of this scenario is that the amount of transmission capacity needed for the project now reduces by 50% since the maximum power produced in each hour decreases. This can save millions of dollars in transmission investment costs for big wind projects.
HOST: So, when is this application of batteries economical?
JULIAN: Current costs for storage, like Aquion Energy’s batteries, are about 3 to 5 times what’s needed to make this application economical. So perhaps this would make sense in the future…but storage is a bit too expensive today.
HOST: Would you be willing to pay more for wind energy to incorporate the cost of energy storage? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org
Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses where wind energy projects should be built.
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Should We Build Wind Farms close to Load or Invest in Transmission to Access Better Wind Resources in Remote Areas? A Case Study in the MISO Region by Julian V. Lamy, Paulina Jaramillo, Inês L. Azevedo, and Ryan Wiser.
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy by the Department of Energy
Frequently Asked Questions About Windy Energy by the Department of Energy
Transcript
HOST: Where should we build wind energy projects? On this week’s Energy Bite, Julian Lamy, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
JULIAN: The answer seems obvious; build where it’s windiest. The windier the location, the fewer wind turbines are needed to get a certain amount of energy. This efficiency can save millions of dollars in project costs. However, most of the best onshore wind resources in the U.S. are located far from where people live. Wind projects in these distant areas would likely require a lot of transmission lines over long distances, which would cost millions of dollars. Therefore, the tradeoff between these two factors is complicated.
HOST: OK, so what have you found in your research?
JULIAN: In the Midwestern electricity grid, which stretches East-West from Indiana to North Dakota, we found that it’s best to build wind farms in Minnesota and Iowa. Wind speeds in these states are high and they are relatively close to major population centers like the Chicago area, where most people live in this region. The additional transmission costs to build these wind projects aren’t prohibitively high, but the increased wind speeds save hundreds of millions of dollars.
HOST: Do you live or work near an onshore wind project? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses whether biofuels are good for the environment.
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Alternative Fuels Data Center by the Department of Energy
EPAct Transportation Regulation Activities by the Department of Energy
Automobile and truck fuel economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas standards by R. Schnepf & B. D. Yacobucci
Transcript
HOST: Have you ever wondered if biofuels are better than gasoline for the environment? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
STEPH: Biofuels, ethanol blended with gasoline to be used as an automobile fuel, are made from corn. They typically have lower air pollution emissions than gasoline when used as a transportation fuel. In the future, we may have biofuels that come from sources other than corn like switchgrass, which may have even lower air pollution emissions.
HOST: Sounds good! What are the downsides?
STEPH: Some researchers are concerned that changing the use of land could release some of the carbon dioxide that is stored in plants. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that causes climate change. Additionally, using land to grow corn for transportation fuel can have other environmental impacts, as it involves fertilizer use, energy and water resources. Finally, some fundamentally question whether or not it is appropriate at all to use corn for fuel when some people lack food.
HOST: Would you be willing to use a biofuel in your car? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses how one can make the right decision on whether a particular fuel is actually the cheapest option.
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Alternative Fuels Data Center by the Department of Energy
EPAct Transportation Regulation Activities by the Department of Energy
Is you car a flex-fuel vehicle? by Fuel Freedom Foundation
Transcript
HOST: What are the true prices of alternative fuels? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
STEPH: You might think buying a flex fuel vehicles that runs on E85, a fuel with 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol, is a good idea because E85 appears to cost less than gasoline. However, although you may think that is the case, this is in reality an apples to oranges comparison. Similarly to how tea and coffee have different caffeine content, not all fuels contain the same quantity of energy. This means to travel the same distance the amount of fuel, ad the cost per mile, may differ between a gasoline and E85 fueled vehicle. These differences influence whether or not purchasing a flex fuel difference makes sense from an economic perspective.
HOST: How can a driver make the right decision on whether a fuel is actually the cheapest option?
STEPH: To determine if fueling a flex fuel car will cost less, you need to calculate the gallon of gasoline equivalent price by considering the energy content of E85. For example, in 2016, the average price of E85 was $1.85 per gallon, but when you take into account the energy content, it is actually $2.40 per gasoline gallon equivalentDuring this same time period, the cost of gasoline was YYY, so the price difference is not that great. Visit the Energy Bite website to find out how to do the calculation if you’re curious.
HOST: Would you consider buying a flex fuel vehicle based on its fuel price? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses why fuel contains 10% ethanol and how it affects the quantity of imported fuel.
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Ethanol Fuel Basics by the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues by the Congressional Research Service
EPA Finalizes Regulations to Mitigate the Potential for Misfueling of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment with E15 by the Environmental Protection Agency
Transcript
HOST: Have you ever wondered why there are signs on fuel pumps that read, “May contain up to 10% ethanol”? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
STEPH: The reason you see these signs at gas stations is because Congress has required that gasoline sold in the United States contain up to 10 percent ethanol. This policy aims to increase the nation’s energy security by using ethanol, a type of alcohol produced from plants. These plants are a renewable energy source grown within the United States, and thus decrease our reliance on imported energy. Ten percent was chosen because all vehicles can operate with that amount of ethanol in their gasoline.
HOST: How well has this worked to reduce the quantity of imported fuel?
STEPH: The quantity of imported petroleum fuel HAS decreased, but it is not solely because of this mandate. Rather, the reduction likely results from a decrease in fuel consumption. Even considering this, however, the nation’s drivers have not used as much ethanol as expected, as most cars cannot refuel with even higher percentages of ethanol assumed at the time of the legislation.
HOST: Do you care that your gasoline has up to 10% ethanol? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses flex fuels and flex fuel vehicles, and how they can revolutionize the transportation sector.
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Flex Fuel Vehicles by U.S Department of Energy
Automobile and truck fuel economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas standards by R. Schnepf & B. D. Yacobucci
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Adoption Increases Fleet Gasoline Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions under United States Corporate Average Fuel Economy Policy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard by A. Jenn, Ineš Azevedo & Jeremy Michalek
Transcript
HOST: Have you ever noticed a “flex fuel” symbol on the back of a car and wondered what it meant? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
STEPH: Conventional gasoline vehicles can only use up to 10% ethanol blended with gasoline. However, flex fuel vehicles can use fuel with up to 85% ethanol. Less than 10% of vehicles on the road are flex fuel. You may notice that most flex fuel vehicles are visually no different from conventional vehicles, except for a yellow gasoline tank cap, though internally there are engine modifications.
HOST: Why are there flex fuel vehicles on the road?
STEPH: Automakers produce and sell flex fuel vehicles because government regulations categorize them as fuel-efficient alternative vehicles. The companies obtain credits and use them to counterbalance the less efficient vehicles they produce. Although flex fuel vehicles can consume fuel with 85% ethanol, most are only fueled with conventional gasoline with 10% ethanol. This is due to consumer choice, the lack of stations and pricing. So although companies get credits, the impact may not be as expected.
HOST: Would you buy a flex fuel vehicle? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses why alternative fuels aren’t widely available.
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Ethanol Fueling Stations by the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center
TIAX Natural Gas for Vehicles Analysis by the American Gas Association
Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels by the National Academies of Science
Transcript
HOST: When fueling your car, have you ever wondered why all stations don’t sell fuels other than gasoline? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephanie Seki, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
STEPH: Although vehicles on the market today can run on fuels other than gasoline like ethanol, most stations don’t offer them. This is because station operators are unlikely to invest in the equipment necessary to supply these alternative fuels without hope of fuel sales. On the other hand, drivers are unlikely to commit to an alternative fuel without a sufficient number of stations offering the fuel. It is a classic “chicken and egg” problem, which comes first: the stations or the alternatively-fueled vehicle?
HOST: Why would a gas station operator choose to start selling an alternative fuel?
STEPH: Some alternative fuels like ethanol can be sold alongside gasoline in a traditional retail station. In this case, selling an alternative fuel can be a way for gas station owners to differentiate themselves. They may also be able to reach an agreement with an owner of a fleet of vehicles, which solves the chicken and egg problem.
HOST: Would you like to see more alternative fuels offered at your local station? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Casey Canfield, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses how we can encourage renters and landlords to use less electricity and how we can fix split incentives.
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Energy Use By Apartment Tenants When Landlords Pay For Utilities by Arik Levinson and Scott Niemann
Top 10 Tips for Renters! from ENERGY STAR
Split Incentives in Residential Energy Consumption from Kenneth Gillingham, Matthew Harding and David Rapson
Transcript
HOST: How can we encourage renters and landlords to use less electricity? On this week’s Energy Bite, Casey Canfield, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
CASEY: The relationship between renters and landlords can make it challenging to encourage actions to reduce energy consumption. If the landlord pays the electricity bill, the renter has little incentive to use less electricity, so, for example, they might be less likely to adjust the temperature at night. The reverse also happens if the renter is paying the electricity bill, because the landlord has little incentive to improve the efficiency of the building by installing insulation or buying energy efficient appliances. This is called a “split incentive.”
HOST: How can we fix split incentives?
CASEY: Encouraging landlords to improve the insulation in their buildings is more impactful than encouraging renters to use less heat and air conditioning. There is also a policy proposal that would encourage or require landlords to disclose the energy use of their buildings to potential tenants.
HOST: Would you rent a different apartment if you knew the electricity bills were high? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
Casey Canfield, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering and Public Policy Department, discusses the challenges for low-income families to use less electricity and solutions to the issue.
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Energy Burden and the Need for Integrated Low-Income Housing and Energy Policy from Diana Hernández and Stephen Bird
“Because You Got to Have Heat”: The Networked Assemblage of Energy Poverty in Eastern North Carolina from Connor Harrison and Jeff Popke
Power for the People: Overcoming Barriers to Energy Efficiency for Low-Income Families from ThinkProgress
Transcript
HOST: What are the challenges for low-income families to use less electricity? On this week’s Energy Bite, Casey Canfield, a recent PhD graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.
CASEY: Low-income families often spend a disproportionate amount of their income on energy costs. They may be motivated to use less electricity, but may not have the same capacity to change their usage. For example, people with low incomes tend to live in older homes, which are not as efficient and are expensive to heat or cool. Having a home with inadequate heating or cooling can lead to health problems.
HOST: Is there anything that can be done about this?
CASEY: There are government programs to help low-income families afford electricity, but not everyone is eligible or able to sign up. There is some interest in implementing incentive programs that adjust the price of electricity depending on the time of day to encourage less use of energy during peak times. Unfortunately, this could increase the electricity bills of low-income families because they already use less electricity so they have fewer options to shift their usage to respond to the price.
HOST: Do you find investing in energy efficiency actions for your home challenging? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.
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