Cow Power and UVM Extension Making sustainable energy choices at UVM
Energy Democracy }
"We've never had a say in our energy before... One of the challenges of our era is to approach making our energy decisions democratic"
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Use energy decisions to educate people and be educated
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More robust choices
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-Dr. Miranda Schreurs, the Director of the Environmental Policy Research Center and Professor of Comparative Politics at the Free University in Berlin (Freie Universit채t Berlin),
Cow Power and the UVM Climate Action Plan
American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment
Source: NASA
UVM’s targets for Climate Neutrality
Electricity represents 38% of total GHG emissions at UVM
Achieving zero emissions electricity }
Renewable Energy Credits (REC) and Carbon Offsets
Considerations when purchasing RECs }
Impact in relation to goals } } }
Additionality Attributes Other goals?
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Compliance vs Voluntary markets
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Cost Gillenwater, 2008 Gillenwater, 2014
Renewable Energy & RECs Market Regional states use credits to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards
Vermont Utilities sell Renewable Energy Credits in regional market Generators produce renewable energy credits with each renewable kWh generated
Vermont Electric Utilities Service Map UVM Campus – already receiving RECs through Burlington Electric Department. UVM has 33 electric accounts outside of Burlington Electric Service Territory Among these accounts are 12 extension offices, one in each county, and 10 in GMP Territory. ERGO, Cow Power is a local REC product that seems to dovetail with the mission of UVM Extension‌
Electricity Cost by Service Area Burlington Electric Department (BTV Campus) Green Mountain Power (Extension offices) $531,458 (7%)
$7,626,307 (93%)
Anaerobic Digestion
Source:Woodchuck Cider
Why Cow Power for Extension Offices?
UVM Extension supporting VT rural communities
Cow Power Impacts A Sustainability Assessment of Cow Power in VT
Sustainability Assessment of Cow Power Program }
Multi Criteria Analysis
Equitable Economy
Viable
Sustainable
Society
Bearable Environment Source: gscouncil.org
MCA of COW POWER Environmental Impacts
Social/Economic
Financial
1. Renewable Generation
1.Income diversification
REC cost comparisons
2.GHG Emissions
2.Farmer resiliency & independence
UVM Investment Extension
3.Water Quality
3. Grid stability
UVM Investment All GMP
4.Byproducts
VT as energy innovator
5.Waste Stream Diversion
Odor reduction
6.Life cycle assessment
Working landscape preservation
7.Negative impacts
Educational Opportunities
Profiles of Operators
A. Environmental Impacts A1. Renewable energy generation A2. Climate change and GHG emissions A3. Water quality impacts and nutrient management A4. Byproducts A5. Waste stream diversion potential A6. Life cycle assessments of anaerobic digestion systems A7. Negative environmental impacts
A2. Climate change and carbon neutrality }
Lower GHG emissions for dairy farms (Vries et al, 2012; EPA, 2012; Battini et al, 2014).
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Methane diversion } } }
Reduction level dependent on storage scenarios 1 metric ton methane = 21 carbon offsets (EPA, 2012) CVPS Cow Power 2010 4 metric tons of CO2 equivalent through carbon dioxide reduction
16,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent through methane diversion
Equal to 3,000 cars off the road
Source: Manure De Jure,2010
A3. Water quality & nutrient management }
At worst = improved storage and application impacts 1. 2.
Manure able to be stored and applied in warm weather when uptake is best (Manure De Jure, 2010) Thinner liquid has better uptake rates and less likely to burn (Manure De Jure, 2010)
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At best = nutrient removal through sale of byproducts
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Solids separated from liquid digestate sold as bedding, removes phosphorus (EPA,2012)
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Shown to reduce eutrophication due to lower field emissions (Battini et al, 2014).
Farms and Cows in VT % Cows Managed by Farm Size
2%
0% 1%
18%
% Cows Managed by Farm Size
4% 15%
16%
20%
500 or more 39% 1-499 61%
24% (1 TO 9 HEAD) (20 TO 49 HEAD) (100 TO 199 HEAD) (500 TO 999 HEAD) (2,500 OR MORE HEAD)
(10 TO 19 HEAD) (50 TO 99 HEAD) (200 TO 499 HEAD) (1,000 TO 2,499 HEAD)
Source: Census of Ag. 2012
Number of Cows for which manure is handled by a Digester 35,000 31,063 30,000
27,783 24,403
25,000
22,489 20,639
20,000 Number of cows 15,000 10,000 6,745 5,000 0
585
435
1-9
10-19
20-49
50-99 100-199 200-499 500-999 Herd size
1000+
Certifications (Eg. Greene) }
NEW
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NO DOUBLE SELLING
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BEYOND BAU
SE. Social/ Economic Impacts
Farm Business Income diversification Farmer Resiliency & Independence Innovating Sustainable Energy Systems Odor Reduction Working Landscapes Preservation Consistent Power, Grid stabilizer Educational Opportunities
More expensive to build and maintain than solar or wind Hard to implement on small farms
Profile of VT farmscale digester operations
Farmers on the intangible nature of RECs
“I’ve never seen a REC… Maybe it looks like a widget? Whatever they are, we get several thousand dollars per year from them. Pretty good sales for a product we’ve never seen.” –VT small scale farm digester operator
F. Financial Impacts }
F1. REC Cost Comparisons
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F2. UVM Investment for extension
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F3. UVM Investment for all GMP
F1. REC Cost Comparisons Nationwide Green-e Certified Retail REC Products (Verified January 2015 with regular updates) Certificate Marketer
Product Name
Renewable Resources
Residential Price Premiums*
3Degrees
National Renewable Energy Certificates
100% wind, solar, geothermal, low-impact hydro, biogas, biomass
0.5¢/kWh-1.5¢/kWh
3 Phases Renewables
Green Certificates
100% biomass, geothermal, hydro, solar, wind 1.2¢/kWh
Arcadia Power
Wind Energy
100% new wind
0.5¢/kwh-1.5¢/kwh
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Renewable Energy Certificates
wind, low-impact hydro, biogas, landfill gas, geothermal, solar
0.8¢/kWh
Carbon Solutions Group
CSG CleanBuild
biomass, biogas, wind, solar, hydro
.15¢/kWh - .5¢/kWh
Community Energy
NewWind Energy
100% new wind
2.5¢/kWh
Green Mountain Power Cow Power
Farm-scale biogas
4¢/kWh
North American Power
American Wind
100% wind
1.5¢/kWh
Renewable Choice Energy
American Wind
100% new wind
2.0¢/kWh
Sterling Planet
Sterling Wind
100% new wind
1.5¢/kWh
Notes: * Product prices are updated as of January 2015. Premium may also apply to small commercial customers. Large users may be able to negotiate price premiums. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
F2. UVM investment Extension Calculations
27,135sq ft 431,280 kWh/yr $17,251/yr
F3. UVM investment for all GMP
4,010,835 kWh/yr Cow Power $.04/kWh $160,433/yr
Feedback from Extension }
Nice gesture every small amount helps }
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Good solution for short term, conversation starter }
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Drop in the bucket for overall market
What long term innovation around digesters is happening at UVM?
WHAT ?? }
Not aware of or knowledgeable about digesters. Interested to know
Further Recommendations }
Research RECs and Carbon Offsets in more detail to better understand the purchases and claims associated with them }
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Consider using a broker, but always have a knowledgable person at UVM- worth educating yourself in-house
Sustainability Assessments for other REC options to compare with Cow Power } } }
Engage UVM community Transparent decision process Provides evidence for choices and marketing of mission
Additional conclusions }
Energy Hub at UVM?
Ya’ll want a sticker on your door?
What are your thoughts? Questions?
Sources }
Global sourcing council: http://gscouncil.org/the-3s-scorecard-a-valuable-tool-for-promoting-sociallyresponsible-sourcing/
NASA Sources : NASA-GISS surface temperature analysis: http://climate.nasa.gov/key_indicators#globalTemp See more at: http://ete.cet.edu/gcc/?/globaltemp_teacherpage/#sthash.KpP9ba55.dpuf http://climate.nasa.gov/news/916/ Delhagen, E. (2008). Farm Energy Innovation In Vermont: A Report to the Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Council. Verenda Ventures LLC. Available at: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/environment/?Page=energy.html Smith, A. (2015). Understanding H.40 the bill to RESET Vermont’s renewable energy future. Channel 17 Town Meeting Television. Available at: https://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/understanding-h-40-bill-resetvermont%E2%80%99s-renewable-energy-future-annette-smith-vce GMP. (2015). Cow Power for Farmers and Others Seeking Greener Pastures. Internal Document. Manure De Jure https://meeting.psu.edu/p87868929/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal }
Vries, J.W., Groenestein, C.W., De Boer, I.J.M. (2012). Environmental consequences of processing manure to produce mineral fertilizer and bio-energy. Journal of Environmental Management. 102. 173-183.
Upcoming Presentations: BioCycle Conference, October 20-21 }
Demystifying Cow Power: Multicriteria Analysis of UVM's Renewable Energy Credit Purchases
Abstract: In 2007, the University of Vermont (UVM) signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. UVM’s 2010 Climate Action Plan sets a goal of purchasing 100% local, renewable, climate-neutral electricity in 2015. “Climate neutrality” includes accounting for methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as well as carbon dioxide. As of 2015, UVM facilities in Burlington are supplied with electricity from local hydroelectric facilities through the Burlington Electric Department. Locations outside Burlington including county extension offices are served by Green Mountain Power, which offers Cow Power™, electricity produced by farm scale digesters in the Vermont. Vermont H.40 (RESET) is a bill requiring electric utilities to cut carbon emissions, and also requiring that some REC credits must come from electricity generated in Vermont. The requirement increases 4 percent every three years from 55 percent in 2017 to 75 percent in 2032. In addition to talking to the extension office staff and faculty about these energy decisions, the research team is conducting a sustainability assessment of the Cow Power RECs Purchase using a multi-criteria analysis. The environmental impacts will be considered via a lifecycle impact assessment. Social and economic impacts will be measured with a profile of the farms operating the anaerobic digesters and the embedded relationships with the power service companies. The financial impacts will be assessed at the costs to UVM, the cost of these renewable energy credits compared to other renewable energy credit options, and the financial impact on cow power.