Understanding Your Own Renewable Energy Opportunity

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1 Understanding Your Own Renewable Energy Opportunity Community Energy Learning Series (CELs) March 1 st, 2017 Kieran O Neill MSc. CEA Smart Energy Business Strategist Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

2 CELs Objective To increase the availability of Energy Education within the community using industry facts and trends while aiming to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions through efforts in energy efficiency, conservation and the adoption of new energy technologies.

3 CELs Understanding Your Own Renewable Energy Opportunity Wednesday, March 1 st Energy Sustainability for Businesses Wednesday, March 15 th SSM as the Alternative Energy Capital of North America Wednesday, March 29 th the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

4 Understanding Your Own Renewable Energy Opportunity This presentation is your opportunity to learn how renewable energy can benefit you in your home or business.

5 Renewable Energy Technologies Small-Medium Scale Commonly used: Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Wind Energy Geothermal Renewable Biomass Less Commonly used: Biogas digesters Micro-hydro

6 Common Questions What grant/incentive programs are currently available? What renewable energy technologies are proven and reliable? How do renewable energy systems work and how long do they last? What renewable energy technology is best for my home and/or businesses? What is my own system feasibility, cost and payback? Will renewable energy offset my energy cost? Do I need batteries? Who are the local contractors/experts? How does winter impact production? To further discuss these questions and others contact the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre!

Renewable Energy Challenges 1. Cost 2. Policy/regulation changes 3. Education/awareness 4. Consumer confidence 5. Competing priorities 6. Suitability of location 7.

7 Renewable Energy Challenges 1. Cost 2. Policy/regulation changes 3. Education/awareness 4. Consumer confidence 5. Competing priorities 6. Suitability of location 7. Lack of contractor expertise, sales presence, service and support 8. Affordable electricity rates in comparison to renewables 9. Complexity of grid connection 10. Limited and unattractive financing options 11. Homeowner age 12. Longevity of investment 13. Reluctance to change

hanging opportunities Start by picking lowhanging fruit, and

8 Remember - Consider Renewable Energy Last Renewable Energy technologies have increased complexity and investment High hanging opportunities Start by picking lowhanging fruit, and then apply cost savings to bigger projects. Low hanging opportunities

00 $812 $791 $767 $705 $726 $600.00 $500.00 $400.00 $455 $514 $377 $300.00 $200.00 $100.00 $0.

9 Dollars However, Government Incentives can Present an Attractive Investment Opportunity ROI s in the 5-12% range Projected Monthly System Revenue $ $ $ $812 $791 $767 $705 $726 $ $ $ $455 $514 $377 $ $ $ $0.00 $192 $94 $86 $24 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec *Monthly revenues reflect 2013 Microfit rates

Current Government Incentives & Technologies Government programs like FIT/Microfit enable homeowners/businesses to install renewable energy systems and experience a guaranteed Return On

10 Current Government Incentives & Technologies Government programs like FIT/Microfit enable homeowners/businesses to install renewable energy systems and experience a guaranteed Return On Investment. Installation of equipment is principally viewed as a monetary investment, although revenue generated can be viewed to offset utility bills once system is paid Source: IESO FIT Rates 2017

11 Installation Potential is Promising (over 5,600 rooftops in SSM are identified with promising solar PV potential) SSM s residential/ commercial solar PV penetration rate is less than 2%

12 Off Grid VS. Grid Connected Depending on the situation, your choice to be grid-connected or off-grid is potentially justifiable. Improvements in technology and pricing are improving the business case for going off-grid, however, the reliability of being grid-connected is unsurpassed in our northern climate. Pros and Cons of each are to be discussed

13 Understanding Your Opportunity -Solar Photovoltaics- -Solar Thermal- -Wind Energy- -Geothermal- -Biomass-

Solar Photovoltaics Microfit (<10kW) Eligible to

Nation buildings only (business/corporate ownership

Roof or ground mounted (restrictions on ground mount

20 year contract with IESO; all power is sold to grid

Project design and installation techniques are

14 Solar Photovoltaics Microfit (<10kW) Eligible to private ownership, municipal, faith based and First Nation buildings only (business/corporate ownership no eligible under Microfit). Roof or ground mounted (restrictions on ground mount location eligibility). 20 year contract with IESO; all power is sold to grid under a power purchase agreement (PPA). Project design and installation techniques are critical. Consult solar installer to assess project feasibility. 3-6 month project turn-around. Relatively easy and streamlined process.

grid under a power purchase agreement (PPA).

15 Solar Photovoltaics FIT (>10kW up to 500kW) Participation is not limited. Short application window usually in fall 20 year contract with IESO; all power is sold to grid under a power purchase agreement (PPA). Project design and installation techniques are critical. 1-3 year project turn-around. Priority points and contract adders Challenging projects to pursue

16 Solar Photovoltaics Site Considerations Azimuth (collector orientation) Inclination (roof pitch) Collector area (available roof space) System size Age of roof Shade analysis

available for Solar Thermal technologies Black hosing, flat plate or evacuated tube collectors

17 Solar Thermal Black hosing used for pool heating Considerations: Domestic Hot Water Heating Pool Heating Space Heating Used to offset the use of electricity or fossil fuels No programs currently available for Solar Thermal technologies Black hosing, flat plate or evacuated tube collectors Orientation and tilt are critical considerations for your-round operation Evacuated Tube Collectors

Wind Energy Considerations: Does your property have a good wind resource? Not commonly utilized in residential zones. Zoning restrictions on tower height and turbine size limits power production.

18 Wind Energy Considerations: Does your property have a good wind resource? Not commonly utilized in residential zones. Zoning restrictions on tower height and turbine size limits power production. Low level wind power production is typically turbulent and not very consistent, often requiring batteries for energy storage. Small/medium wind capital investment, on-going maintenance, and specific wind requirements often make a challenging business case. Repair costs can be substantial and require specialized expertise. Feasible for select farmers or larger property owners under utility net-meter agreements, where zoning bylaws permit and connection capacity is available. FIT rates are not favourable for small/medium scale wind turbines.

19 Geothermal Considerations: Large area often required and sometimes site specific Building heating/cooling design size High capital cost (residential $15k+) Majority of cost is excavation/drilling Long operating life span (30years+) No incentives currently available Typical payback over 15 years when compared to natural gas furnace More attractive investment in locations where natural gas is not available. A geothermal system has the potential to save up to 75% on the cost of energy utility bills over its lifetime.

Biomass Considerations: Cordwood, briquette or

current government programs available Some

20 Biomass Considerations: Cordwood, briquette or pellet Most commonly used of the renewable fuels Affordable and reliable Excellent for offsetting primary energy consumption No current government programs available Some labour and maintenance required Central heating pellet furnace

21 The Dilemma for Many Saultites OR

22 Thank You! Kieran O Neill Smart Energy Business Strategist T ext F koneill@ssmic.com

Case study : HEP Toplinarstvo - Cibljanica

Case study : HEP Toplinarstvo - Cibljanica Name of the project: Address of the project: Name and type of the owner: SDHplus - HEP Toplinarstvo - Cibljanica HEP Toplinarstvo d.o.o, Velika Gorica, Jurja