Tag: – Works in Progress

Hawaii, USA

Waikiki, Hawaii, USA

  • Target: 100% RE by 2045 in the electricity sector, with several interim benchmarks.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar power and wind power.
  • Implementation: In 2012, Hawaii was importing 93% of the energy it consumed and in 2013, the state had the highest electricity prices in the nation, more than three times higher than the average electricity price in the mainland states. In 2012, 71% of the electricity produced in the Hawaii was generated with oil, and in 2012 only 18% with renewable energy sources. By 2014, cost competitiveness of renewable energy technology was driving considerable increase in renewable energy uptake on the Hawaii islands. According to the US EIA, wind is estimated to be able to deliver electricity at a price of 7 ¢/kWh, similarly geothermal at approximately 10 ¢/kWh and utility scale solar PV at approximately 16 ¢/kWh. This is compared to the price of oil-generated electricity which was averaging 34 ¢/kWh in 2014. From 2007 to 2013, solar power generation across the islands went from 8 GWh in 2007 to 404 GWh, while wind power generation more than doubled. In 2015, a joint House-Senate committee in Hawaii agreed on House Bill 623 to set a 100% RE target and became the first US state to commit to this goal. In May of that year, Hawaii’s state legislature committed that the target be reached by 2045, with an interim goals of 30 % RE by 2020, 40 % RE by 2030, and 70 % RE by 2040. (Hawaii's renewable energy plan builds on earlier energy policy frameworks established in 2009, which set two definitive targets: cover 40% of the island needs for electricity only with renewable energy sources by 2030, and at the same time reduce electricity consumption by 30% by implementing Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards.)
  • Population: 1,427,538 (2017)
  • Area: 10,931 sq mi (28,311 km2)
  • Link: http://www.transverter.com/REACH7.pdf
Waikiki, Hawaii, USA

Hessen (State), Germany

Hessen (State), Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity and heat by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Wind power, hydropower, biomass, biofuels, solar thermal and PV and district heating systems.
  • Implementation: In 2010, the State of Hessen in Germany made the commitment to transition to 20% renewable heat and power by 2020. However, a more drastic change in policy was in order due to the concerns on the impact of climate change and the events of nuclear disaster in Fukushima. The move away from fossil and nuclear power towards renewable energy and accelerated energy efficiency became imperative. In January 2012, a strategy was therefore presented on how to achieve 100% renewable electricity and heat by 2050. Essential to the strategy was to increase the energy efficiency and to restructure the existing energy system from a central to a decentralised one with smaller, more flexible power plant units. At the same time, the energy network will be expanded and adapted to meet the new requirements.

    The energy transition will require the support and active participation of the private households, municipalities and businesses. To do so, the government has developed concepts to support its citizens and stakeholders with tailored investing, non-investment projects, comprehensive information and counselling services, and legislative initiatives at the federal level. Since 2012, the state government has dedicated a budget of 80 million euros for relevant energy projects. The strategy will call for the expansion of renewable energy installations, particularly in wind, solar and biomass, and the integration of smart energy management systems.
  • Population: 6,243,262 (2017)
  • Area: 21,100 km2(8,100 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.energieland.hessen.de/Home
Hessen (State), Germany

Hokkaido, Japan

Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

  • Target: 100% energy self-sufficiency by 2050.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Wind and biomass energy.
  • Implementation: Hokkaido is the second largest of the four main Japanese islands, and the largest of its 47 prefectures. Hokkaido is recognised as having great potential for renewable energies, notably wind energy and biomass.  Its economy is based on agriculture and the timber industry (22% of Japan's forests is located on the island). According to a 2011 study by the Japanese Ministry of Environment, the island has the potential to generate a quarter of the whole country’s renewable energy production, with half of it from onshore and a quarter of it from offshore wind power generation. Several pioneer projects have already implemented on the island since 2001. Among those facilities are the first community-based wind power installation in Japan. Indeed Hokkaido's efforts began on March 11th, 2011 when the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster strengthened the will of Hokkaido’s citizens to transition to a non-nuclear society. It triggered the creation of the Hokkaido Energy Transition 100 Project, a project which quickly released a step-by-step roadmap to 100% renewable energies for electricity production on the island through energy efficiency and community based production of energy.  In 2010, Hokkaido Island still relied mainly on nuclear power (43,8%), and thermal power (33,8%). The share of renewable was of 22,9%, where hydro power constituted 22,1%. The Hokkaido roadmap would diversify the renewable energy sources of the island with solar, biomass, geothermal and especially wind power generation. The roadmap would also outline short, mid and long term objectives to reach for energy efficiency: 17% of savings on 2010 basis in 2020, 29% in 2030 and finally, 60% in 2050. To achieve steady implementation, the Plan is promoting the sharing of best practices between inhabitants of the island. Since the beginning of the project, citizens and private businesses have been supporting the project, including the Hokkaido University Sustainable Low-Carbon Society Project. In May 2014,  the “Hokkaido Energy Change 100 Network” was founded with the aim of continuing the steerage of activities towards the 100% target.
  • Population: 5,377,435 (2016)
  • Area: 83,453.57 km2 (32,221.60 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/14/business/balance-power-shift-toward-renewable-energy-appears-picking-steam/#.XGQGSy3MyIY
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Inje County, Gangwon, Korea

Seoraksan, Inje County, Gangwon, Korea

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2045.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: 6 MW of wind power and 1.7 MW of mini-hydropower.
  • Implementation: The county of Inje in the Province of Gangwon-do is located in the north of the Republic of Korea, bordering with North Korea. The rural county is covered with around 88% of forest. In 2015, Inje County developed the ‘Inje 2045 Zero Energy Independence Plan’, to transform itself into Eco Inje by transitioning to 100% by 2045. To achieve this target, Inje County is taking advantage of its natural environment, particularly its hilly landscapes and water resources. Its Plan would set out five main policy areas: 1) Expansion of New Renewable Energy production, 2) Energy Efficiency, 3) Energy conservation & Creation of Civic culture, 4) Expansion of Carbon Sinks, and 5) Building & Strengthening cooperative foundation. Some of the actions already implemented include 6 MW of wind power and 1.7 MW of mini-hydropower generation capacity. Inje's plan has been strengthened by adopting the best scenario through the '2015-2016 Energy-safe Cities' program in cooperation with ICLEI Korea and other relevant organizations in Korea. One of main challenges for Inje County remains the ability to create solid partnerships among relevant stakeholders such as the private sector, military and residents.
  • Population: 34,120 (2000)
  • Area: 1,646.33 km2(635.65 sq mi)
  • Link: Gangwon Windfarm
Seoraksan, Inje County, Gangwon, Korea

Ithaca, NY, USA

Ithaca, New York, USA

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Varied (via renewable energy certificates)
  • Implementation: In January 2012, the City of Ithaca, NY began purchasing Green-e Energy-certified renewable energy credits (RECs) to cover all the electricity demand of its municipal buildings, street lights and traffic lights with renewable electricity. The REC purchase was conducted through Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance Inc. (MEGA), a non-profit aggregator of gas and electricity in which Ithaca participates. Energy aggregators like MEGA bundle participants in order to be able to build buying power and bid for lower prices. In purchasing RECs, the city has helped increase the market for renewable-sourced generation facilities, decrease the generation of greenhouse gases, and offset the city government's emissions. In February 2012, following the implementation of the RECs contract, the City joined EPA's Green Power Partnership program committing to continue to pursue and support renewable energy sources. The city already has a history of implementing renewable energy projects. In 1996, the city installed a geothermal heating and cooling system at the Ithaca Youth Bureau building, which is still being used today, thus reducing energy costs and the use of fossil fuels for heating/cooling. In 2011, the city was awarded a grant to install solar thermal hot water systems on 2 city buildings.
  • Population: 53,661 urban, 101,564 metro (2010)
  • Area: 24.581 sq mi (63.66 km2) urban, 474.649 sq mi (1,229.34 km2) metro
  • Link: https://www.cityofithaca.org/425/Energy
Ithaca, New York, USA

Jämtland County, Sweden

Jämtland, Sweden

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Hydropower, windpower, cogeneration and biofuels.
  • Implementation: Jämtland County is the third largest county in Sweden. The largest share of electricity production in Jämtland (93%) is generated from hydropower (11.2 TWh in 2013). The county has 83 hydropower plants. The remaining 5% of electricity generation is based on wind power (0.6 TWh in 2014) and 2% is based on bioenergy (0.2 TWh).

    Jämtland County first became motivated to switch from fossil fuel use during the 1973 oil crisis. At that time, oil made up more than 80% of the heating fuel mix. Today, no heating oil is used. The County’s Energy Agency has provided an educational program about the benefits of renewables, which has encouraged local citizens to make the switch.

    Due to its abundant forest resources, well-developed infrastructure in forests, expertise in logistics and district heating, Jämtland's bioenergy production is flourishing. There is strong political support and backing by the municipal and regional authorities. Östersund municipality, Jämtland's only city, has facilitated this development by setting ambitious climate change policies and targets and has shown proactive municipal leadership. There is also a high interest among other regional actors (local energy companies, forest owners associations, networks and knowledge institutions) in tapping the new opportunities for utilizing forest- and waste-based biomass in the bioeconomy. Bioenergy expansion is said to be attributed to the use of economic instruments such as a carbon dioxide tax, green electricity certificates, tax exemption for biofuels in transport, and direct investment support. Support for bioenergy started already in the 80s’ when investment grants were given to convert boilers and heat plants from oil to other fuels, including biofuels.

    Overall, stable EU and national regulatory frameworks has been fundamental to advancing the bio-based industries in Jämtland and Sweden in general.
  • Population: 127 376 (2015)
  • Area: 34,009 km²
  • Link: NordRegion Working Paper
Jämtland, Sweden
Östersund, Sweden

Jeju Province, Korea

Jeju Island, Korea

  • Target: 100% renewable electricity and transport, and to be a “carbon-free island" by 2030.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Onshore (350 MW) and offshore (1 GW) wind turbines, solar (30 MW), small hydroelectric power plants, and power storage systems. Electric cars, house energy management system (HEMS) and other technologies will also become available for the residents of the islands.
  • Implementation: Jeju self-governing province consists of several islands. In 2012, the Jeju Energy Corporation (JEC) of the Jeju province set the 100% target in order to be independent from the electricity imported from the Korean Peninsula, and to meet all its electricity demand by only renewable energy (RE) sources generated from within the islands. This initiative includes the replacement of the current fossil-fuel fired generator with RE technologies. The JEC aims to achieve the target by: (1) turning Gapa Island, a small island located South of Jeju, into a testing laboratory for Jeju to be the first carbon free island, (2) increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy demand to 50% by 2020, and (3) make Jeju Island a carbon-free city by 2030. The first step in switching Gapa Island to a carbon-free electric grid involved the municipality with central government agencies. The energy demand is met completely from wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems. Electric vehicles for transport and HEMS have been placed in every household on the island. For the second and third steps, the Korean central government and from local investors will be investing in the installation of renewable energy technologies and smart grid trials. The Jeju Test-Bed for the Grid is a project that will function as a testing platform to improve the integration of RE and energy storage facilities within the grid. A total of 168 companies are participating in the project, which covers approximately 6,000 households throughout Jeju Island. The Jeju’s smart grid will be one of the world’s largest smart grid communities that will allow the testing of advanced smart grid technologies, offering opportunities for R&D, energy storage, and the development of new business models.
  • Population: 604,771 (2014)
  • Area: 1,849 km2 (714 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.ecowatch.com/south-koreas-plan-to-have-worlds-first-carbon-free-island-1891165990.html
Jeju Island, Korea

Kasese, Uganda

Kasese, Uganda

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2020
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Biomass, solar, geothermal, and micro-hydro
  • Implementation: Kasese District is located in Western Uganda. It is bordered by several protected forest reserves including Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mt. Rwenzori National Park. Only 7.6% of the 134,000 households in the district have access to the national grid. Limited road access make connecting to the grid virtually impossible. Nearly all households burn wood and charcoal as their main source of energy. Most use kerosene (also called paraffin) to light their homes. In 2012, Kasese District Council launched a 100% renewables program with the aim of bringing access to clean energy services for all domestic, productive and social needs in rural and urban areas, all by 2020. The program would ensure that renewable energy access is integral in all government-funded projects and institutions, including schools, health centres, markets and other public infrastructure. Tax breaks are made available for all renewable-energy-related businesses. Traineeships are provided for the installation, maintenance and distribution of renewable energy technologies. The council is also working with universities, businesses and NGOs to implement smaller localised RE projects. A collaboration between WWF and Barefoot Power Uganda is allowing local businesses to provide loans for small-scale solar in mountain villages. The partnership's "Light Up a Village" program has brought 240 solar home systems to Kasese.

    Today renewables are estimated to supply 26.8% of the Kasese district with energy. Solar for lighting and biogas for cooking has replaced the traditional three-stone method of cooking – reducing indoor pollution. Cheap domestic solar systems now provide electricity for many, freeing up money for food, clothing and education. Increasing electrification has meant more reliable lines of telecommunication that enable solar phone charging facilities and solar-run computers with internet access. The district now plans to convert its streetlights to use efficient LED lighting.

    The number of new businesses and jobs in the green economy has increased. Businesses sell solar equipment, maintain solar networks, build biogas systems, install modern cook stoves and construct mini-hydro projects. The tourism industry has grown as newly electrified camps and lodges are attracting more visitors. To achieve the 100% target, Kasese will still require support for the existing program and innovative finance mechanisms maintained over many years for households – especially those living on less than $1 a day.
  • Population: 700,000
  • Area: 3,389.8 km²
  • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/oct/20/ugandan-mayor-my-district-will-be-100-renewable-by-2020
Kasese, Uganda

Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria

Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria

  • Target: 100% energy autonomous by 2020
  • Status: In progress -  To date, the energy-self-sufficiency coefficient (the ratio between regional energy demand and regional renewable energy generated) is around 75%.
  • RES: 21 small hydropower plants, 3 ecological storage lakes, 4 district biomass heating plants, 1 windpower plant, 1 biogas plant, several big and private photovoltaic and solar power plants.
  • Implementation: Since 2007 Kötschach-Mauthen in Austria has been known as an energy autonomous (energy independent) community. The town has a very long history in renewable energy, with the first waterpower plant built in 1886. By 2008, the “energie:autark Kötschach-Mauthen” association had been founded. The community  joined the Climate Alliance and the energy efficient communities program of the European Energy Award (known as e5-program in Austria). In 2012, the town was awarded with the European Energy Award ® Gold and five “e” in the e5-program. Today, there several different types of renewable energy installations. The town conducts guided tours for tourists, researchers and school groups  which combines nature experiences with visits to regional product centers and RES installations
  • Population: 3,459 (2016)
  • Area: 154.48 km2 (59.65 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.energie-autark.at/show_content.php?sid=95
Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria

Kronprinzenkoog, Germany

Neo-gothic church, Kronprinzenkoog, Germany

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar photovoltaics and biogas plants
  • Implementation: Kronprinzenkoog is a small town in the Dithmarschen district near the North Sea in Germany. In the 1980s, the town installed its first wind turbines. In 2009, the 150 kW-500kW 77 turbines were replaced with more powerful, more efficient 2-3 MW models. Today, these windmills feed about 200 million kWh into the grid, enough to power 50,000 German homes. Two of the windmills are collectively owned by 140 villagers who had invested 3.6 million euros and who are now receiving a 15-20% return on their investment. The good returns can be attributed to the German feed-in tariff law (The Renewable Sources Act also known as the EEG) which guarantees that anyone in Germany who produces renewable electricity will be paid a fixed rate for the type of renewable electricity they feed into the grid for 20 years. This law also guarantees access of renewable energy projects into the grid and makes utilities pay for any necessary grid upgrades. In other words, the EEG allows regular people to become power producers and get paid properly. In addition to the feed-in tariff law, highly efficient and simple permitting processes for renewable electricity speeds up installation. The town has also implemented a 500 kW biogas plant on a farm, which produces enough energy to power 3,200 households, and 7,117 kW of solar PV have also been installed  in recent years. Most solar roofs are paid back within 10 years, after which owners get to keep the profits. To move towards renewable transportation, the town has opened an electric bike/car rental facility powered by a solar rooftop, and is planning several solar powered electric charging stations along the whole German north coast.
  • Population: 811 (2017)
  • Area: 28.85 km2 (11.14 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.shz.de/lokales/norddeutsche-rundschau/kronprinzenkoog-ist-sonnenstark-id1064511.html
Neo-gothic church, Kronprinzenkoog, Germany