RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY

Renewable Energy Policy



Renewable Energy Policy

Introduction

Renewable energy has gained wide popularity over past few decades all over the world, including US. Undoubtedly, US have been leading the world for the development of renewable energy. US energy policy describes legislations, local and international agreements, incentives for investments and guidelines on preserving energy, while the renewable energy policy focuses on the renewable energy concepts. Various resources are used for production and distribution of renewable energy in the country.

In 2009, President Barrack Obama intended to double the renewable energy within next 3 years (EERE News, 2009). In 2012, the president restated the commitment toward renewable energy. He permitted the defense department to purchase 1000 MW of renewable energy and permitted 10, 000 MW renewable energy projects during the year.

The main US bodies involved in the renewable energy dealings include diverse entities from federal, state or local bodies.

This paper discusses the major organizations that work for the promotion of renewable energy policy, and generate funds or provide incentives for the developers of renewable energy.

Major Sources of Renewable Energy in US

Renewable energy provides approximately 14.3% of domestic use electricity to US. The major renewable energy sources include wind power, hydroelectric power and solar energy. This section describes the major renewable energy sources and location of their plants in US.

Hydroelectric power is the main source of renewable energy for US. As per the records of 2010, the hydroelectric power was used for generating 6.2% of country's electricity. Grand Coulee Dam is the main source of hydroelectric power. The country generates about 3% of its electricity utilizing on the wind power, by generating about 43,460 MW power. Texas, Lowa and California are responsible for wind power development.

Solar thermal power stations are also built at various locations throughout the country. The largest solar thermal power station is being run by SEGS group of plants located in Mojave Desert. This station has the capability of generating 354 MW power. North America (Boulder city, Nevada) accommodates the largest photovoltaic power plant, capable of generating 48 MW power. The largest complex for geothermal energy production is located in the North California.

US Renewable Energy Policy Tools

US governments have numerous policy tools for supporting the increased use of renewable energy. The major tools include mandates and renewable energy credit (REC) markets.

Half of the states in US enjoy the facility of having Public Benefits Fund (PBF). These funds are usually derived from the electricity payment surcharge. This public fund supports the development and distribution of renewable both at small and large scales. For example, the largest PBF at California is granting $150 million on annual basis for supporting photovoltaic panels.

The next sections of the paper discuss the application of the renewable energy policy tools in various states of US.

The Organizations

In this section, the paper discusses some of the organizations (International and Local) that play role of generating and distributing funds for advancements and propagation of renewable energy resources.

International Renewable Energy Organizations

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

IRENA is the ...