Scale and Ownership of Renewable Energy
This is a presentation that was given by John Farrell at the Local Energy Initiatives Forum in Cloquet, MN on September 13, 2007… Read More
Enhancing On-Site Solar Using Reasonable City Fees
A survey in northern California reveals a wide range of fees assessed to homeowners that install on-site solar power systems. The Sierra Club’s Loma Prieta, S.F. Bay and Redwood chapters compared the charges and fees in 131 municipalities. The report recommends on that a $300 fee is an appropriate ceiling level that would comply with state law.
Farrell Discusses his new Report About Diseconomies of Scale on WCCO Radio
Wind and Ethanol Economies and Diseconomies of Scale – John Farrell discusses a new report
and the benefits that smaller scale, locally owned renewable energy
projects bring to farmers and communities, broadcast on WCCO Radio.
… Read More
Column: On Renewable Energy, Go Local
This column by ILSR’s John Farrell argues that in their desire to expand renewable-energy production, activists and policymakers focus almost entirely on “more,” rather than “better.” Twenty-seven states have renewable-energy standards, requiring utilities to produce or sell 10, 20, even 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources in the next two decades. The U.S.… Read More
On renewable energy, go local
On renewable energy, go local A focus on output in gallons and megawatts leads to large-scale ethanol plants and wind farms. Such facilities aren’t the most beneficial, nor even the most efficient. By John Farrell, originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 15, 2007 In the past two years, renewable energy has catapulted to the … Read More
Woodruff Cooperative Pairs Up With Farmers to Collectively Save Members Money
Through and attractive pricing arrangement, the Woodruff Electric Cooperative has enticed nearly 85 percent of area farmers to allow their irrigation systems to be shut off when electricity demand is high. The program certainly benefits the participating farmers but the other member owners also save since the cooperative can reduce its need to purchase expensive peak power during critical times of the year.
Farrell Discusses his new Report About Diseconomies of Scale on TreeHugger Radio
Wind and Ethanol Economies and Diseconomies of Scale – John Farrell discusses a new report
and the benefits that smaller scale, locally owned renewable energy
projects bring to farmers and communities, broadcast on TreeHugger
Radio.
… Read More
John Farrell Discusses Diseconomies of Scale on KPFK Radio
Wind and Ethanol Economies and Diseconomies of Scale – John Farrell discusses a new report
and the benefits that smaller scale, locally owned renewable energy
projects bring to farmers and communities, broadcast on KPFK Radio.
… Read More
Report: Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
Congress and most state legislatures have or are developing renewable energy policies with a single objective: get more renewables. Our new study, Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale, finds that this single minded focus ignores the potential economic benefits from locally owned and more modestly scaled facilities. The focus should on better renewable energy projects not simply more.