Ohio Green Energy Success Stories
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OHIO’S GREEN ENERGY STORY JANE HARF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREEN ENERGY OHIO OUR MISSION Green Energy Ohio (GEO) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable energy policies, technologies, and practices. OUR OBJECTIVES ◼ To promote sustainable energy policies, technologies, and practices of value to Ohio’s economy and environment. ◼ To educate Ohioans on the availability, use, and benefits of renewable resources and energy conservation and efficiency. ◼ To represent a diverse membership, including individuals, businesses, community and government entities, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations who share GEO’s mission. OUR MEMBERSHIP ◼ Individuals with a commitment to a clean energy future. ◼ Businesses engaged in the clean energy economy and companies pursuing clean energy options. ◼ Academic programs and institutes focused on sustainability and clean energy. ◼ Government and community entities engaged in sustainable practices and clean energy programs. OUR PROGRAMS ◼ Annual Green Energy Ohio Tour ◼ Growing Local Solar: Community- based tools to enable solar development in Ohio ◼ “The Human Element” Documentary ◼ Meet, Learn & Share Regional Events ◼ Annual Green Achievement Awards Ceremony & Reception ● Experience the unique features of the LEED Platinum John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design ● Discover Green Energy Ohio’s current and future plans ● Enjoy refreshments and conversation with supporters of a clean energy future ● Celebrate the 2019 Green Achievement Award winners Green Achievement Award for Business: Talan Products, Inc. ◼ Talan Products is a $50 million contract manufacturer specializing in solar mounting systems, LED lighting components & building products whose customer base includes residential, commercial & utility scale solar companies. ◼ Talan also has a history of manufacturing thermal & PV solar system components. ◼ As the solar industry grew and the need for metal manufacturing services grew with it, Talan Products correctly predicted the high growth potential of the new market. ◼ Talan has received over 50 awards for growth, innovation & manufacturing excellence. Green Achievement Award for Professional Associations: The Ohio Hospital Association ◼ The OHA Energy and Sustainability Program ensures that all members have access to the resources, financial incentives, and educational programs necessary to make informed decisions around the energy and environmental impact of their facilities. ◼ In 2018, participating members achieved $9.6 million in energy savings, rebates and educational benefits from the program. ◼ Ohio is currently second in the nation with 13 ENERGY STAR certified OHA member hospitals. As of November 2018, 17 percent of all ENERGY STAR certified hospitals nationwide are in Ohio. Green Achievement Award for Government Agencies: The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections ◼ In 2015, the Richland Correctional Institution Reintegration Unit began a program to train offenders for employment after their release. ◼ The Understanding Photovoltaics class provides a 12-week training program in solar technology and installation for approximately 20 offenders. Students spend 4 hours a week in the classroom and another 2 hours a week working on solar panel technology. Three to five students are chosen to take the certification exam. ◼ The photovoltaics program is an ETA certified testing center, with students have a 94% passing rate with the majority scoring over 90% on the exam. ◼ ODRC has also issued an RFP for the installation of 15-30 MW of solar photovoltaics across multiple institutions, putting them at the forefront of renewable energy use in state government entities. Green Achievement Award for Academic Institutions: Kent State University ◼ The photovoltaic solar array on the roof of the Field House generates about 500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, approximately one-third of the annual power used by the Field House and Dix Stadium. ◼ Kent State’s combined heat and power plant is twice as efficient as a standard utility power plant and produces electricity as well as steam and chilled water on a campus loop. ◼ Energy efficiency retrofits to buildings across campus have reduced energy consumption by over 20%. ◼ Kent State’s commitment extends to the classroom through Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Conservation and Biology, as well as a minor in Sustainability. ▪ ■ Ohio has the 3rd most clean energy jobs in Midwest, 8th in U.S. ■ Clean energy jobs grew 4.6% in 2018, above the regional and national average ■ Clean energy jobs grew even as the state lost jobs overall ■ Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties lead Ohio in clean energy jobs ■ Clean energy employs 74,162 more Ohioans than fossil fuels WIND ENERGY IN OHIO WIND GENERATION ◼ Ohio has significant wind resource potential, both on land and offshore. ◼ During 2017, wind energy provided 1.3% of all in-state electricity production. ◼ State rank for share of electricity: 33rd ◼ Equivalent number of homes powered by wind in 2017: 145,300 WIND PROJECTS & MANUFACTURING FACILITIES ◼ Installed wind capacity: 729 MW ◼ State rank for installed wind capacity: 25th ◼ Number of wind turbines: 383 ◼ State rank for number of wind turbines: 25th ◼ Wind projects online: 40 (Projects above 10 MW: 5) ◼ Wind capacity under construction: 133 MW ◼ Wind capacity in advanced development: 25 MW ◼ Number of active manufacturing facilities in the state: 60 WIND-RELATED MANUFACTURING ◼ Ohio has more wind-related manufacturing facilities than any other state in the nation ◼ Sixty manufacturing facilities produce a wide range of components for the wind industry JOBS & ECONOMIC BENEFITS ◼ An investment in wind power is an investment in jobs, including jobs in operations and maintenance, construction, manufacturing and many support sectors. ◼ In addition, wind projects produce lease payments for landowners and increase the tax base of communities. ◼ Direct jobs in the wind industry: 1,080 ◼ Total capital investment through 2017: $1.2 billion ◼ Annual land lease payments: Between $1- $5 million ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ◼ Generating wind power creates no emissions and uses virtually no water. ◼ 2017 annual state water consumption savings: 2.0 billion gallons ◼ 2017 annual state carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions avoided: 3.5 million metric tons ◼ 2017 equivalent cars’ worth of emissions avoided: 744,000 *Based on national average water consumption factors for coal and gas plants SUCCESS STORY: BLUE CREEK WIND FARM ◼ Location: Van Wert and Paulding counties, in northwest Ohio. ◼ The project boundary covers nearly 80 square miles ◼ The total impact of the project is less than 1 acre per turbine, including access roads and the maintenance building. ◼ Capacity: 304 Megawatts (MW) ◼ Began construction in September, 2010; reached commercial operation in June, 2012. SUCCESS STORY: BLUE CREEK WIND FARM ◼ Number of wind Turbines: 152 Gamesa G90, 2.0 MW wind turbines ◼ The turbines are on 328-foot (100 meter) towers for a total height of 476 feet. Each nacelle weighs 85 tons. Each foundation uses about 60 truck-loads of concrete and 60 tons of steel rebar. ◼ The majority of the equipment at Blue Creek was manufactured and assembled in Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota. ◼ Each turbine can produce up to two megawatts or 2,700 horsepower, which would be enough to power about 500 average Ohio houses. SUCCESS STORY: BLUE CREEK WIND FARM ◼ Local Economic Benefits: Blue Creek represents a $600 million private investment. ◼ The project pays approximately $2 million in annual lease payments to local landowners. ◼ The project pays $2.7 million in annual payments (PILOT) to local taxing bodies. ◼ In Van Wert County – where 75 percent of Blue Creek is located – Avangrid Renewables is the largest single taxpayer. SUCCESS STORY: BLUE CREEK WIND FARM ◼ Environmental Benefits: The Blue Creek project offsets carbon dioxide emissions for its customers by approximately 1.6 billion pounds per year. ◼ According to the U.S. EPA, that is the equivalent to planting an estimated 138,000 acres of trees, taking 114,000 cars off the road, or not consuming over 2.1 million barrels of oil. ◼ The project also avoids the consumption of 408 million gallons of water per year. SUCCESS STORY: BLUE CREEK WIND FARM ◼ Customers: ▪ FirstEnergy – 100 MW ▪ American Municipal Power – 26 MW ▪ The Ohio State University – 50 MW ▪ Equates to approximately 25 percent of the entire Columbus campus electricity load, and is one of the single largest purchases of actual renewable energy by any university in the country. SUCCESS STORY: ICEBREAKER WIND The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation ◼ A non-profit, public-private partnership ◼ Founded in 2009 to develop a sustainable offshore wind energy industry in the Great Lakes ◼ LEEDCo’s mission: ◼ To create a scalable source of renewable energy in Lake Erie ◼ To create jobs and economic prosperity in the region ◼ To protect our air and water resources SUCCESS STORY: ICEBREAKER WIND ◼ Icebreaker Wind Project is a 20.7 MW demonstration wind farm that will consist of six 3.45 MW turbines located 8 miles north of Cleveland, Ohio. Icebreaker Wind will be the first freshwater offshore wind farm in North America. ◼ Icebreaker Wind has earned approvals and/or permits from more than a dozen local, state and federal agencies, including the Ohio EPA approval under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction permit.