Inconvenient Truths:
Renewable Energy Opportunities in Virginia
There have been recent calls for the U.S. to use renewable energy exclusively by 2018. Although the intent is good, this goal is not one that is based on renewable energy realities, particularly in Virginia.
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) fully supports the use of renewable energy. In fact, ODEC’s member systems have purchased approximately 75 MW of hydroelectric capacity and ODEC has executed contracts to purchase 120 MW of wind energy, one MW of landfill gas power and an additional half-MW of hydroelectric power.
While ODEC continues to pursue renewable energy options, it also must meet its obligation to its consumer-members to provide them with safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity – now and in the future. Unfortunately, in Virginia, renewable energy options are very scarce. To attempt to be fully reliant on renewable energy, Virginia would have to increase drastically the amount of electricity it imports (resulting in higher costs, lower reliability and more transmission lines).
Wind
- Only a small portion of Virginia has the potential to generate electricity from wind. These areas are located on Virginia’s coast and along mountainous areas bordering West Virginia.
- Virtually none of these areas are rated higher than "fair" in terms of potential, with "marginal" being the only wind-generating potential that is lower.
- Further complicating matters is the fact that many of these areas are located in national parks, forest land and other areas that prohibit wind turbine construction.
- Where does wind energy work? More than halfway across the country in the Dakotas, Texas and other parts of the Midwest and Northwest.
- Additionally, wind energy is not a base load energy source since it only generates electricity when the wind blows.
Solar
- Compared to wind, solar offers significantly less potential for energy generation in Virginia.
- Where is solar prevalent? Unfortunately for Virginians, sufficient solar energy amounts can only be found in the Southwest, such as New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona and a couple of other states.
- Additionally, solar energy is not a base load energy source since it only generates electricity when the sun is clearly shining (cloudy/overcast days yield small amounts of solar energy).
Geothermal
- The potential for geothermal energy solutions in Virginia is the least attractive of renewable alternatives.
- There is only one small area in Virginia (located near the West Virginia border) that could yield sufficient geothermal energy amounts, but due to existing commercial property, that area cannot be developed for geothermal energy generation purposes.
- Where can sufficient geothermal energy be found? Mostly in Western states including California, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and others.
Biomass
- Biomass is the one form of renewable energy of which Virginia can – and ODEC is – truly taking advantage. That said, the few areas in Virginia in which biomass is available are relatively less plentiful than the amount it would take to be fully reliant upon biomass as a fuel source.
- Where is biomass plentiful? Primarily in Midwestern states, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Iowa, as well as portions of Pacific Coast states.
*According to research conducted and maps developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy
