| 04 December 2011
A study by Duke University and Georgia Tech researchers addresses common myths that have hampered the adoption of clean energy in the southeastern United States.
"Myths about clean electricity shape perceptions and have delayed progress in the South," said Etan Gumerman, the study's co-author and senior policy analyst at Duke's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. "We hope that by casting doubt on these myths, we can begin a productive discussion about affordable clean electricity and how it could shape public policies."
The researchers used an energy-economic modeling tool to analyze six myths identified through earlier research:
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy by themselves cannot meet the South's growing electricity demand
• The South does not have sufficient renewable energy resources to meet a Federal Renewable Energy Standard
• Renewable energy cannot be promoted without escalating electricity rates
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy policies are not compatible
• Cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy policies are sufficient to retire existing coal plants and reduce air pollution
• Power resource decisions have little impact on water resources.
They found that energy efficiency and renewable energy can work together to meet projected growth without escalating electricity rates and say that implementing renewable electricity standards and other complementary policies could stabilize greenhouse gas emissions.
Coupling these policies with stronger regulations, such as a $15 per ton carbon tax, could help retire coal-fired power plants and reduce emissions by 23%compared to today's levels. And they found that while energy impacts on water usage are largely ignored, renewable and efficiency options could hold water-saving benefits -- up to one trillion liters in 2030 --for this drought-prone region. The report also says that energy modeling can move the energy policy debate beyond misconceptions and illustrate common ground for moving forward in this region, which is expected to have a 28% rise in population in the next 20 years.
"The South has an abundance of sustainable energy technologies and resources, but misperceptions about their availability and readiness result in support for conventional energy systems," said Marilyn Brown, co-author and professor in Georgia Tech's School of Public Policy. "Our research is motivated by the hope that promoting fact-informed dialogue can tackle such barriers and clear the way for a more sustainable energy future."
Research Paper: Myths and facts about electricity in the U.S. South Energy Policy, Volume 40, January 2012, Pages 231-241.
Written by Nancy Lamontagne, Contributing Editor - US, Solar Novus Today
