On-Site Renewable Energy Systems for Zero Carbon Laboratories

Why Renewable Energy (RE) Systems for Research Facilities and Campuses?
Phil Wirdzek, the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories

This presentation will review the state of the climate prospects for carbon trading, including renewable energy credits and rebates, state and federal incentives, and what renewable technologies are commercially available. It will discuss their benefits and what role politics and the U.S. economy play in addressing their utilization, as well as the reasons why laboratories, research campuses, and research universities should consider on-site renewable energy systems a major solution to their operational effectiveness and security.

Technology Options and "Screening" for Renewable Energy
Otto Van Geet, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

This presentation will review the renewable energy resources maps, what they mean, and how technologies may be paired to maximize their contributions and value.  For example, what technologies are best, and where or how do they fit and support a facility and/or campus to reduce dependence on grid services? Are there associated benefits with any technology application that could address water use, HVAC, and other secondary benefits, like shading for vehicles, power for vehicles, and relieving grid congestion?  Are there regional air quality non-attainment penalties? What are all the technological advantages and disadvantages given a particular site, including vandalism, security, weather, visual, output, timely availability of resources, emergency shelter, etcetera? Are there implications or changes needed for the EIS/NEPA?  What are the future expectations for energy demand?  Will the local utility "play ball?"  A second review will cover the maps for state RPSs, RECs, rebate, and state and federal tax incentives over-laid with the known resource maps.

Zero Energy/Carbon Neutral Laboratories and Campuses
Randall Lacey, Cornell University 
Samara Larson, University of California
Doug Payne, REgrid
Jesse Denver, City of San Jose
TBD, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)

This presentation will review the target "projects on campus" and highlight what technologies are being considered and how they will be applied. It will address why research campuses and research universities would want to explore renewable energy (RE) systems to address energy intensity and reliability, as well as what role efficiency can play in supporting RE implementation and how much an RE system can contribute to energy demand. Real-life examples of campus energy demands, efficiency contributions to demand, and RE expectations will be shown. The presentation will highlight whether operational compromises are needed to assure the RE value to the campus and its laboratories. It will show where other RE opportunities may be available on campus, in the community, and in the region and highlight the financial and environmental benefits on local utility supplies and to the host community that can help justify the expense or add financial contributions.

Financing Renewable Energy Projects—A Photovoltaic Developer's Plan
Steve Voss, SunEdison
Terry Gallagher, Kaufman Brothers
Kurt Borg, Solar Integrated

This presentation will discuss financing RE projects, including how and why they may work or what obstacles can they face. It will discuss renewable energy credits and how they are valued, as well as the price that exists for carbon and where that fits into cost reductions. Presenters will review a project "pro-forma," and what factors exist and how they influence project implementation and "go/no-go decisions." The presentation will also discuss the prospects for the RE market. Are technologies expected to change to a point where a prospective user should wait one, five, or 10 years?

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