Georgia Tech Research’s Post

To catch us up on other energy transition trends, here is what Tina Casey has to say. US Counties Are Blocking Renewable Energy For Themselves, But Not For Thee The pushback against clean power projects has been well documented, most recently by USA Today and its research partners. They published a county-by-county analysis published on February 4, which indicated a sharp acceleration in the number of counties taking action to block utility-scale wind and solar proposals. The Des Moines Register brought renewed attention to the study this week under the title, “US counties are blocking the future of renewable energy” (see more CleanTechnica articles on the topic here). Both USA Today and the Register underscored the disconnect between the falling cost of renewable energy and a sudden spurt of opposition to new utility-scale wind and solar projects. Citing an annual analysis by the firm Lazard, the Register emphasizes that “wind and solar are cheaper to produce than many other types of electricity,” based on the average levelized cost of energy... Emerging technology is another looming threat to the fossil energy industry, and that doesn’t just mean cutting costs or breaking energy conversion records for solar cells and wind turbines. In Tennessee, for example, the state’s all-important agriculture industry is beginning to hitch a ride on the emerging agrivoltaic technology train. That’s significant because agrivoltaics can enlist a powerful political lobby on the side of renewable energy development. The ability of working farms to host utility-scale solar arrays also pulls the rug out from the argument that electricity production is not an appropriate use of farmland... #AgriSolar #agrivoltaics #energytransition #endoffossilfuel https://lnkd.in/gdG-27ic

By using renewable energy, government agencies can inspire communities to do the same. Learn about the benefits of renewable energy in public buildings and how incentives can help make it possible.

The clean energy sector in the United States is making significant strides towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. According to a recent report by the World Resources Institute, the country has shown considerable progress in increasing the adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Give this a read to find out more. #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability 🌿🔆🌐

Why aren't these renewable energy projects getting built? Let's find out in this guide

The backsliding on energy efficiency and renewable resources continues.

US Counties Are Blocking Renewable Energy For Themselves, But Not For Thee Summary: In the US, several counties are resisting utility-scale renewable energy projects, despite wind and solar power being cheaper than traditional sources in many areas. Recent reports by USA Today and the Des Moines Register highlight this growing opposition, which is concerning to energy analysts given its potential impact on consumer costs and the clean energy transition. The opposition involves local governments and think tanks, with some influence from national groups against renewable energy. Despite this, the transition to renewables is advancing due to electricity's fungibility, allowing clean energy to be shared across grids, and the development of new transmission lines. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act significantly supports the renewable energy sector, boosting clean tech manufacturing jobs in the US. Interestingly, some counties blocking renewable projects are benefiting from investments in clean technology manufacturing, such as Tennessee, which has attracted clean tech ventures despite restrictive laws on wind power. Emerging technologies like agrivoltaics and advanced wind turbines are overcoming obstacles to renewable energy integration. These technologies enable dual-use of land for agriculture and solar generation and support smaller, local renewable energy projects. The industrial decarbonization movement is pushing away from fossil fuels as companies aim to reduce carbon footprints and meet low-carbon demands. For example, Arkema's commitment to renewable energy for its US operations exemplifies the corporate shift towards clean energy. In conclusion, while local resistance to renewable projects presents challenges, trends in energy economics, technology, and industrial decarbonization indicate a continued move towards renewable energy. The interaction between local opposition and national policies highlights the need for dialogue and innovation for a sustainable energy future. #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #CleanTech #InflationReductionAct #Decarbonization

While growth in solar and wind generation is encouraging, early progress is tempered by significant challenges. Achieving statewide clean energy mandates is dependent on local permitting structures and politics. Anyone who has tried to site a major development – from a retail complex to a housing development to a landfill – will tell you that gaining the needed zoning approvals and permits to start construction is an expensive and arduous process. It is made even more risky by the reality that gaining the necessary local approvals often does not depend on the need for or quality of the project. There is a clear case for making changes to the way renewable energy projects are reviewed and approved.

More in the growing and concerning (to me anyway) trend for renewable energy to blocked at local government level - often in contradiction to both national & state-level policy. Some would argue this is "check & balance" working effectively. I would argue its an inversion of that concept. #renewableenergy https://lnkd.in/gR_uz5qN

Navigating local zoning laws and working with governments can be challenging, but it's essential for renewable energy success. Discover how to form strong public-private partnerships in our latest article on bringing renewable energy to your community. Read it here. https://lnkd.in/euTZtxYM #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #energytransition #energyfuture

Our renewable energy future requires balanced, affordable grid access pricing....