Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
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Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Assessments</strong><br />
3.0 <strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong><br />
Options<br />
3.0 <strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> Options<br />
The first step in the development of generation alternatives involves the<br />
identification of generic generation technologies whose technical and cost characteristics<br />
cause them to be worthwhile candidates for inclusion in full-fledged alternative plans.<br />
The objective of this section is to characterize the various renewable energy technologies<br />
suitable for application in <strong>Kauai</strong>. The information contained in this section will be used<br />
to screen technologies for further investigation later in the project.<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> energy sources are practically inexhaustible in that most derive their<br />
energy from the sun. Technologies to harness renewable energy are diverse and include<br />
wind, solar, biomass, biogas, geothermal, hydroelectric, and ocean energy. Steady<br />
advances in equipment and operating experience spurred by government incentives have<br />
lead to many mature renewable technologies. The technical feasibility and cost of energy<br />
from nearly every form of renewable energy have improved since the early 1980s.<br />
However, most renewable energy technologies struggle to compete economically with<br />
conventional fossil fuel technologies, and in most countries the renewable fraction of<br />
total electricity generation remains small. This is true despite a huge resource base that<br />
has potential to provide many multiples of current electricity demand. Nevertheless, the<br />
field is rapidly expanding from niche markets to making meaningful contributions to the<br />
world’s electricity supply.<br />
This section provides an overview of the following renewable energy options:<br />
1. Solid biomass<br />
1.1 Direct fired<br />
1.2 Cofiring<br />
2. Biogas<br />
2.1 Anaerobic digestion<br />
2.2 Landfill gas<br />
3. Biofuels<br />
3.1 Ethanol<br />
3.2 Biodiesel<br />
4. Waste to energy<br />
4.1 Mass burn<br />
4.2 Refuse derived fuel<br />
4.3 Plasma arc<br />
5. Hydroelectric<br />
6. Ocean energy<br />
6.1 Ocean thermal energy conversion<br />
21 March 2005 3-1 Black & Veatch
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